San Antonio FC opened training camp at STAR soccer complex as the club’s inaugural group held its first practice.
Some had been in San Antonio for 24 hours, while others are San Antonio born and raised.
“It’s like the first day of school,” San Antonio FC coach Darren Powell said.
The difference between school and this training camp is that since arriving in San Antonio about six weeks ago, Powell hired the staff and recruited all his students.
Introductions were a soccer six degrees of separation when players walked on the pitch together. Goalkeeper Josh Ford played with midfielder Carlos Alvarez in college at Connecticut, Alvarez played with defender Fejiro Okiomah at Chivas USA, Okiomah shared a back line with Stephen McCarthy in Carolina of the PDL.
Wearing grey practice shirts, they were the first to sport the San Antonio FC crest.
“The soccer world is pretty small, so you tend to know everyone through someone else,” Okiomah said.
Midfielder Shawn Chin, the team’s latest signing, arrived in San Antonio on Wednesday and was at STAR soccer complex on Thursday morning.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Matt Cardone, a MacArthur High School graduate, Trinity alum and former San Antonio Scorpion has spent his life representing San Antonio.
One day or a whole lifetime, every player has been united in the prospect of being part of a club from Day One. They are San Antonio FC.
“Fans can expect us to put our passion into the game,” Cardone said. “We’re going to play our hearts out.”
Players will continue to build timing and teamwork as San Antonio FC prepares for its USL debut on April 3 at Seattle Sounders 2. The home opener at Toyota Field is at 7:30 p.m. on April 9 against Swope Park Rangers.
Most of the team is living in the same apartment complex and Cardone said the team is jelling quickly. With six players who have previous MLS experience on the roster, players said they’re expecting to be a USL contender from opening kickoff.
“You always want to build from the beginning, to be here from day one is like a dream,” Okiomah said. “To be here with the Spurs organization, with the coaching staff that knows what they want – we have the same goals to do extremely well and represent this city.”
San Antonio FC opened training camp at STAR soccer complex as the club’s inaugural group held its first practice.
Some had been in San Antonio for 24 hours, while others are San Antonio born and raised.
“It’s like the first day of school,” San Antonio FC coach Darren Powell said.
The difference between school and this training camp is that since arriving in San Antonio about six weeks ago, Powell hired the staff and recruited all his students.
Introductions were a soccer six degrees of separation when players walked on the pitch together. Goalkeeper Josh Ford played with midfielder Carlos Alvarez in college at Connecticut, Alvarez played with defender Fejiro Okiomah at Chivas USA, Okiomah shared a back line with Stephen McCarthy in Carolina of the PDL.
Wearing grey practice shirts, they were the first to sport the San Antonio FC crest.
“The soccer world is pretty small, so you tend to know everyone through someone else,” Okiomah said.
Midfielder Shawn Chin, the team’s latest signing, arrived in San Antonio on Wednesday and was at STAR soccer complex on Thursday morning.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Matt Cardone, a MacArthur High School graduate, Trinity alum and former San Antonio Scorpion has spent his life representing San Antonio.
One day or a whole lifetime, every player has been united in the prospect of being part of a club from Day One. They are San Antonio FC.
“Fans can expect us to put our passion into the game,” Cardone said. “We’re going to play our hearts out.”
Players will continue to build timing and teamwork as San Antonio FC prepares for its USL debut on April 3 at Seattle Sounders 2. The home opener at Toyota Field is at 7:30 p.m. on April 9 against Swope Park Rangers.
Most of the team is living in the same apartment complex and Cardone said the team is jelling quickly. With six players who have previous MLS experience on the roster, players said they’re expecting to be a USL contender from opening kickoff.
“You always want to build from the beginning, to be here from day one is like a dream,” Okiomah said. “To be here with the Spurs organization, with the coaching staff that knows what they want – we have the same goals to do extremely well and represent this city.”
