For the first time in club history, San Antonio FC advanced to the Western Conference Final after it defeated rivals RGV FC 3-1 in front of a sellout crowd at Toyota Field Saturday night. Two goals from Santiago Patino and a third from Nathan helped seal the victory at home.
“First and foremost, I’m blessed to lead this team,” said SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina. “It’s a great group. I’m very thankful. We had a sold out stadium. We do this for our fans. It was so loud they are so passionate. Players feed off that energy.
“RGV FC is an excellent team. They gave everything hats off to them. They battled really hard and played good soccer. At the same time, our guys were effective with and without the ball. Not only did we perform, but we executed at a high rate.”
With the crowd leading the atmosphere, SAFC started off on the stronger foot pressing and creating a couple of half chances in the attacking third. RGV FC was able to possess the ball for a period during the first 20 minutes, but it was the home side that would open the scoring. After a mazy run from Jose Gallegos, his shot was saved right to the feet of Patino who tapped in the rebound for the opener in the 24th minute.
The two teams would enter halftime with SAFC still clinging to the 1-0 lead. As the second half started, San Antonio immediately looked to doyble its lead, and did just that just 10 minutes into the half. A cross from Connor Maloney was settled well by Patino before he turned and fired past the diving goalkeeper for the 2-0 lead. SAFC would then make in three in the 62nd minute after Gallegos played a perfect pass to Nathan who cut to his right foot and found the back of the net. With the goals, Patino is anow the all-time leading scorer for SAFC in postseason play.
RGVFC would get one back with a penalty in the 69th minute, but some excellent defending from the SAFC back line would preserve the two-goal lead and the victory.
SAFC will now await the result of the ongoing clash between Orange County SC and Oakland Roots SC. If Oakland wins, SAFC will host the Conference Final at Toyota Field, but the club will travel to Orange County should the California side prevail.
Scoring Summary:
SAFC: 1-0, Santiago Patino 24’
SAFC: 2-0, Santiago Patino (Connor Maloney assist) 55’
SAFC: 3-0, Nathan (Jose Gallegos assist) 62’
RGVFC: 3-1, Elvis Amoh (penalty) 69’
Disciplinary Summary:
RGVFC: Yellow Card (Juan Cabezas) 43’
RGVFC: Yellow Card (Kyle Edwards) 45’
RGVFC: Yellow Card (Juan Azocar) 63’
SAFC: Yellow Card (PC) 73’
SAFC: Yellow Card (Jordan Farr) 84’
Attendance: 7,966
SAFC Starting XI: GK: Jordan Farr; D: Kortne Ford, Jasser Khmiri, Mitch Taintor; M: Connor Maloney, Mohammed Abu, Jose Gallegos, Marcus Epps, PC (c); F: Nathan (Justin Dhillon 90’), Santiago Patino (Sam Gleadle 73’)
Substitutions not used: Carlos Mercado, Joaquin Varela, Ollie Wright, Cam Lindley, Chris Lema
Postgame Notes:
- SAFC recorded its third-ever playoff win and advanced to the Conference Finals for the first time in club history…in the first postseason meeting between SAFC and RGV, SAFC earned the 3-1 victory…SAFC improves its record to 8-6-7 all-time vs. RGV in all competitions
- After conceding only a goal from the penalty spot tonight, SAFC has still yet to allow a goal from open play in the playoffs…the last goal SAFC conceded from open play came on 11/20 at New Mexico
- Forwards Santiago Patino was named the SWBC Man of the Match after recording two more playoff goals to go with three shots and two on target…his three playoff goals are now the most all-time for SAFC
- SAFC forward Nathan scored his second playoff goal in as many games with this strike in the second half…also record one key pass
- SAFC midfielder Mohammed Abu dominated the midfield, recording six tackles, three interceptions, 10 possessions gained and 36 total passes
For the first time in club history, San Antonio FC advanced to the Western Conference Final after it defeated rivals RGV FC 3-1 in front of a sellout crowd at Toyota Field Saturday night. Two goals from Santiago Patino and a third from Nathan helped seal the victory at home.
“First and foremost, I’m blessed to lead this team,” said SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina. “It’s a great group. I’m very thankful. We had a sold out stadium. We do this for our fans. It was so loud they are so passionate. Players feed off that energy.
“RGV FC is an excellent team. They gave everything hats off to them. They battled really hard and played good soccer. At the same time, our guys were effective with and without the ball. Not only did we perform, but we executed at a high rate.”
With the crowd leading the atmosphere, SAFC started off on the stronger foot pressing and creating a couple of half chances in the attacking third. RGV FC was able to possess the ball for a period during the first 20 minutes, but it was the home side that would open the scoring. After a mazy run from Jose Gallegos, his shot was saved right to the feet of Patino who tapped in the rebound for the opener in the 24th minute.
The two teams would enter halftime with SAFC still clinging to the 1-0 lead. As the second half started, San Antonio immediately looked to doyble its lead, and did just that just 10 minutes into the half. A cross from Connor Maloney was settled well by Patino before he turned and fired past the diving goalkeeper for the 2-0 lead. SAFC would then make in three in the 62nd minute after Gallegos played a perfect pass to Nathan who cut to his right foot and found the back of the net. With the goals, Patino is anow the all-time leading scorer for SAFC in postseason play.
RGVFC would get one back with a penalty in the 69th minute, but some excellent defending from the SAFC back line would preserve the two-goal lead and the victory.
SAFC will now await the result of the ongoing clash between Orange County SC and Oakland Roots SC. If Oakland wins, SAFC will host the Conference Final at Toyota Field, but the club will travel to Orange County should the California side prevail.
Scoring Summary:
SAFC: 1-0, Santiago Patino 24’
SAFC: 2-0, Santiago Patino (Connor Maloney assist) 55’
SAFC: 3-0, Nathan (Jose Gallegos assist) 62’
RGVFC: 3-1, Elvis Amoh (penalty) 69’
Disciplinary Summary:
RGVFC: Yellow Card (Juan Cabezas) 43’
RGVFC: Yellow Card (Kyle Edwards) 45’
RGVFC: Yellow Card (Juan Azocar) 63’
SAFC: Yellow Card (PC) 73’
SAFC: Yellow Card (Jordan Farr) 84’
Attendance: 7,966
SAFC Starting XI: GK: Jordan Farr; D: Kortne Ford, Jasser Khmiri, Mitch Taintor; M: Connor Maloney, Mohammed Abu, Jose Gallegos, Marcus Epps, PC (c); F: Nathan (Justin Dhillon 90’), Santiago Patino (Sam Gleadle 73’)
Substitutions not used: Carlos Mercado, Joaquin Varela, Ollie Wright, Cam Lindley, Chris Lema
Postgame Notes:
- SAFC recorded its third-ever playoff win and advanced to the Conference Finals for the first time in club history…in the first postseason meeting between SAFC and RGV, SAFC earned the 3-1 victory…SAFC improves its record to 8-6-7 all-time vs. RGV in all competitions
- After conceding only a goal from the penalty spot tonight, SAFC has still yet to allow a goal from open play in the playoffs…the last goal SAFC conceded from open play came on 11/20 at New Mexico
- Forwards Santiago Patino was named the SWBC Man of the Match after recording two more playoff goals to go with three shots and two on target…his three playoff goals are now the most all-time for SAFC
- SAFC forward Nathan scored his second playoff goal in as many games with this strike in the second half…also record one key pass
- SAFC midfielder Mohammed Abu dominated the midfield, recording six tackles, three interceptions, 10 possessions gained and 36 total passes
