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USL San Antonio FC

San Antonio FC Falls 1-3 to Sunderland Afc in International Friendly

July 15, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
San Antonio FC News Release


SAN ANTONIO - San Antonio FC fell 1-3 to EFL Championship side Sunderland AFC tonight in an international friendly. PC scored the lone goal for SAFC in front of a sold out Toyota Field.

Sunderland struck first in the 15th minute, before PC answered in the 26th minute. The midfielder took a free kick nearly 50 yards from goal and went directly for goal. The long shot leveled the score until just before halftime.

Sunderland scored in first half stoppage time to take the lead, and then scored again in in second half stoppage time to make it a 1-3 final.

The international exhibition doesn't impact San Antonio's place in the Western Conference table, and came in front of a season-high crowd of 8,328.

Next Up

San Antonio FC returns to USL Championship play next weekend, hosting The Miami FC at Toyota Field. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. CT, with tickets available at SanAntonioFC.com or the SAFC app. The match will also be broadcast locally on Bally Sports Southwest, or locally on ESPN+.

Media assets

Game highlights, interviews and photos can be found here.

Scoring Summary:

Sunderland AFC: 0-1, Chris Rigg (Assisted by Abdoullah Ba) 15'

San Antonio FC: 1-1, PC 26'

Sunderland AFC: 1-2, Carter Manley (Own goal) 45+2'

Postgame Notes:

Midfielder PC's goal was his first of the season in all competitions.

The announced attendance of 8,328 was the highest of the season.

Seven different San Antonio FC Pro Academy players appeared in the match, facing off against a full professional side.

Attendance: 8,328 (sellout)

SAFC Starting XI: GK: Jose Carlos Mercado (Jude Bosshardt 87'); D: PC (captain) (Giovanni Padilla 66'), Tulu, Carter Manley (Lamar Batista 45'), Connor Maloney (Jeremiah Posada 52'), Isaiah Parker (Mateo Gonzales 68'); M: Zico Bailey (Dalziel Ozuna 80'), Mohammed Abu, Kimarni Smith (Justin Dhillon 57'), F: Ignacio Bailone (Eduardo Fernandez 75'), Niko Hansen (Andres Bacho 83')

Substitutions not used: n/a

Disciplinary Summary:

San Antonio FC: Yellow Card (Bench) 34'

Quotes:

Head Coach Alen Marcina

(On the experience...)

"Great experience, to play such a prestigious club. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, our guys embraced the challenges, some guys maximized the opportunities. It's great for the club, we got seven academy players to play in the game which is huge for the club, and huge for them. Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our academy players. All in all, I think very very positive."

(On the team's performance...)

"Our pressing actions were very very good. Now when we fatigued a bit, and again some of the guys are not, maybe, 100 percent match fit, in our system if one or two aren't there quick enough the whole system can break down pretty fast. So that's our learning lesson, which is good. And against such a high level opponent, you're going to get exposed a bit. Even when we're at our best you're going to get exposed. Great learning opportunity that we have to be focused for every moment of the match, the intensity has to be optimal, but more positives for sure. Some guys did very very well. Again, seven academy kids is a lot. Going against some top top class players."

Midfielder PC

(On the match...)

"I think for everybody it was a great experience, you know playing a team like that at the highest level. For the fans, especially for us, guys that haven't played a lot, so it was a great opportunity tonight."

(On his goal...)

"I saw their defensive line was super high, and the keeper was almost on the penalty spot so I said 'let me try something different' and I hit a great ball."

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