USL United Soccer League Championship

Two Top Teams in the USL Championship Battle for Title

November 13, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release


SAN ANTONIO - The top two teams in the USL Championship's Eastern and Western Conferences will square off on Sunday night in the 2022 USL Championship Final as San Antonio FC plays host to Louisville City FC at Toyota Field in San Antonio. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET and the game will air nationally on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and SiriusXM FC (Ch. 157).

San Antonio FC

Head Coach: Alen Marcina (3rd season)

Regular Season Record: 24-5-5, 77pts, No. 1 seed Western Conference

Postseason Results: W 3-0 vs. Oakland Roots SC; W 2-0 vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

San Antonio FC makes its USL Championship Final debut after equaling the league's single-season record for wins (24), road wins (13) and shutouts (17) on its way to the overall No. 1 seed in the postseason. San Antonio's total of 77 points was tied for the second-most in a USL Championship regular season, with the club's defense allowing only 26 goals in 34 games.

Notable Players

GK Jordan Farr - The 2022 USL Championship Goalkeeper of the Year, Farr equaled the individual regular-season record with 15 shutouts and has posted two more clean sheets in the postseason. The Oregon native has posted a save percentage of 76.9 percent over the regular season and playoffs.

D Mitchell Taintor - The 2022 USL Championship Defender of the Year, Taintor led a dominant three-man back line while ranking second among defenders with 72 interceptions and third with 215 recoveries. The Connecticut native has also found the net five times as a set piece threat.

M Connor Maloney - A versatile piece that has slotted in across the lineup for San Antonio FC, Maloney leads San Antonio in minutes played (3,141), tackles won (60), and duels won (190). The Pennsylvania native scored his first league goal in 74 appearances for San Antonio to open the scoring against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the Western Conference Final last Sunday.

F Santiago Patiño - The Colombian has recorded three goals and one assist this postseason - adding to a pair of playoff goals in 2021 - and has been a lethal presence on the field when available this season. Patiño's nine goal across the regular season and playoffs have come at a strike rate of a goal every 111.4 minutes.

Louisville City FC

Head Coach: Danny Cruz (2nd season)

Regular Season record: 22-6-6, 72pts, No. 1 seed Eastern Conference

Postseason Results: W 2-2 (5-3 SO) vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC; W 1-0 (AET) vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

Louisville City FC makes its fourth USL Championship Final appearance aiming to become the first team in league history to win the title three times (2017, 2018). The club is led by Danny Cruz, who at 32 years old becomes the youngest Head Coach to lead his side into a Championship Final. Cruz and his squad posted the best regular season record in LouCity's storied history, and the club's 72 points were the fourth-most in a regular season campaign in the Championship's history.

Notable Players

GK Danny Faundez - A Seattle native, Faundez has become the top underdog story in this year's postseason. Making his senior debut in April while on loan to USL League One club Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC, the 29-year-old has deputized after an injury ruled out 2022 Championship Golden Glove winner Kyle Morton late in the season. Faundez has posted a save percentage of 78.6% while helping LouCity come through a penalty shootout against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

D Sean Totsch - Earning his third consecutive USL Championship All-League First Team honor this season, Totsch will be taking aim at his fourth league title individually having previously earned winner's medals with the Rochester Rhinos (2015) and LouCity (2017, 2018). The Illinois native has been a key figure for LouCity since his arrival in 2017.

D/M Amadou Dia - The versatile left-back, who can also be employed as a wingback, leads Louisville this season with eight assists and ranks third on the team in minutes played (2,633). A Championship Final participant in 2018 for Phoenix Rising FC before more recently competing for Sporting Kansas City, the native of Nantes, France has been a major addition for LouCity this season.

F Wilson Harris - The 2020 USL Championship Young Player of the Year, Harris has led LouCity with 15 goals this season after joining the club from Sporting Kansas City in the offseason. The 22-year-old has averaged a goal every 149.9 minutes and has notched a pair of goal from beyond the penalty area in addition to his nose for goal at close range.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Venue: Toyota Field

Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET

National Broadcasters: ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, SiriusXM FC

English-language Announcers: Mike Watts, Devon Kerr, Sarah Gorden

Spanish-language Announcers: Jesús Eduardo Acosta, José Armando Rodríguez

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