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Years of talks turned into months of building, as SAFC was awarded a USL expansion franchise in January for the 2016 season.

Coach Darren Powell and managing director Tim Holt built a playoff-ready club that spent the past few weeks training together as anticipation built. But years and months and weeks of planning provide no answer for how a team will fare on the field.

It took three minutes and a strike from the left foot of Jason Johnson for that answer:

San Antonio FC is ready.

Every seat in Toyota Field will be full at 7:30 p.m. Saturday when SAFC hosts Swope Park Rangers in the club’s inaugural home match. With SAFC coming off a 3-0 victory at Seattle Sounders 2 in the club’s first match, it hopes to carry the momentum home.

Standing room only and general admission tickets for Saturday are available at www.sanantoniofc.com.

“This is our opportunity to make a good first impression for our city,” Powell said.

Sunday’s debut in Seattle was the dream start for the franchise, with Johnson scoring twice in the first 10 minutes.

The first goal came as the result of strong team play, as touches by Bobby Moseley, Carlos Alvarez and Greg Cochrane set up Johnson in front of the net.

Johnson will forever hold the title of the first goal scorer in franchise history.

“First anything isn’t something that has hit me yet, but it’s a huge honor for me to be part of this club,” Johnson said. “This organization has been amazing and we want to be a club that is great for this city.”

In the 10th minute, Johnson capitalized off a bad bounce and then deftly faked out the Sounders 2 goalkeeper, burying a shot into the goal. Fejiro Okiomah added a goal in the 80th minute, giving SAFC three points.

For Johnson, the start was a giant confidence booster, and what he hopes is only the beginning of a strong season.

“We know we can do a lot better,” Johnson said. “To see that success in the first game and to see our togetherness is great, but it’s still the first game.”

Johnson was Houston’s first round pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, playing with the Dynamo until 2015, when he was traded to the Chicago Fire. After scoring two goals in the 2015 season, the change of scenery has served Johnson well, matching that total in 10 minutes with San Antonio.

“He’s a really special player who has all the right gifts to be very dangerous, and he showed that,” defender Stephen McCarthy said. “He has the potential to be one of the best strikers in the league.”

-Lorne Chan

lchan@attcenter.com

Twitter:@lornechan

Years of talks turned into months of building, as SAFC was awarded a USL expansion franchise in January for the 2016 season.

Coach Darren Powell and managing director Tim Holt built a playoff-ready club that spent the past few weeks training together as anticipation built. But years and months and weeks of planning provide no answer for how a team will fare on the field.

It took three minutes and a strike from the left foot of Jason Johnson for that answer:

San Antonio FC is ready.

Every seat in Toyota Field will be full at 7:30 p.m. Saturday when SAFC hosts Swope Park Rangers in the club’s inaugural home match. With SAFC coming off a 3-0 victory at Seattle Sounders 2 in the club’s first match, it hopes to carry the momentum home.

Standing room only and general admission tickets for Saturday are available at www.sanantoniofc.com.

“This is our opportunity to make a good first impression for our city,” Powell said.

Sunday’s debut in Seattle was the dream start for the franchise, with Johnson scoring twice in the first 10 minutes.

The first goal came as the result of strong team play, as touches by Bobby Moseley, Carlos Alvarez and Greg Cochrane set up Johnson in front of the net.

Johnson will forever hold the title of the first goal scorer in franchise history.

“First anything isn’t something that has hit me yet, but it’s a huge honor for me to be part of this club,” Johnson said. “This organization has been amazing and we want to be a club that is great for this city.”

In the 10th minute, Johnson capitalized off a bad bounce and then deftly faked out the Sounders 2 goalkeeper, burying a shot into the goal. Fejiro Okiomah added a goal in the 80th minute, giving SAFC three points.

For Johnson, the start was a giant confidence booster, and what he hopes is only the beginning of a strong season.

“We know we can do a lot better,” Johnson said. “To see that success in the first game and to see our togetherness is great, but it’s still the first game.”

Johnson was Houston’s first round pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, playing with the Dynamo until 2015, when he was traded to the Chicago Fire. After scoring two goals in the 2015 season, the change of scenery has served Johnson well, matching that total in 10 minutes with San Antonio.

“He’s a really special player who has all the right gifts to be very dangerous, and he showed that,” defender Stephen McCarthy said. “He has the potential to be one of the best strikers in the league.”

-Lorne Chan

lchan@attcenter.com

Twitter:@lornechan

San Antonio FC defender Sam McBride sees his neighbor on most mornings when she leaves her apartment to take her two kids to school. 

He can't imagine what she's thinking when she looks back and sees 20 of her neighbors, all in their 20's wandering around in soccer shorts.

"She doesn't know how old we are or what we do," said defender Sam McBride. "She probably doesn't think we have jobs, since we're never dressed for work and we're hanging around the lobby a lot."

Having all moved to town at the same time in February, most of the players on San Antonio FC live together in the same apartment complex near Toyota Field. 

Without cable or internet in their rooms when they first got situated, the players spent their time sitting together in the complex lobby or by the pool. What started out as a way to escape boredom has turned into accelerated team bonding for a new team. Yes, these are the people who use the apartment complex lobby.

"After practice, we'd all go straight to this lobby for the Wi-Fi," defender Greg Cochrane said. "It was like being in a dorm lounge again. And it actually brought us all closer together."

Many of these players met for the first time in February,  but as they head to Seattle for SAFC's first match on April 3, they've all built strong friendships.

Part of that has to do with the fact that almost the entire team lives in the same complex, except for a few players who were already living in San Antonio.

Every player in the complex has one or two roommates on the team, but they'll often hang out in the apartments with the biggest TVs. One apartment can have a "Game of Thrones" marathon playing, while another might have a FIFA 16 Xbox tournament. One player will text a message on WhatsApp that he's getting food, and suddenly half his teammates are there.

When Champions League is on, they're all watching together.

"It's helped us get to know each other past a surface level," Manolo Sanchez said. "Before we got Wi-Fi, people were breaking out cards and chess sets. One guy broke out a giant DVD collection. We never thought we'd need DVDs again, but there you go."

There have also been team building events at bowling and Top Golf, and the team even got in some laser tag on an off day.

In some ways, the team's living situation is a bit of a sociology exercise. They're a diverse group, with players from nine different states and five international players from England, Brazil, Colombia, Jamaica and Honduras.

While a couple of the players aren't native English speakers, there are plenty of bilingual translators around.

"When guys translate for Rafa, they use different inflections," said Michael Reed. "Rafa's a fiery guy, and (assistant coach) Juan Lamadrid is like that too, so they're both fired up when Juan's translating. Miguel Salazar is pretty casual, so he's laid back, and sometimes you wonder, 'Miguel, are you really saying what he's saying?'"

Forward Jason Johnson said the team has used the diversity to its advantage, because "we're learning from each other and we're here for a common cause."

For Johnson, it helps that he has teammates in Shawn Chin and Milton Palacios who share his love for reggae music.

"We all speak the same language, and that's soccer," midfielder Carlos Alvarez said. "We're a family of brothers all fighting for the same thing. We want the best for each other, and we have a common goal to win for SAFC."

As for whose apartment is the messiest? Reed guessed it would be that of McBride, Salazar and Austin Dunker, because they're all recent college graduates. McBride said that isn't the case. They're all professionals, after all.

"We've all come together in a few weeks, different styles, ethnicities, nations, religions," Reed said. "We've all united under one symbol, our SAFC crest. That's unique, and you don't see that in many places in life."

San Antonio FC defender Sam McBride sees his neighbor on most mornings when she leaves her apartment to take her two kids to school. 

He can’t imagine what she’s thinking when she looks back and sees 20 of her neighbors, all in their 20’s wandering around in soccer shorts.

“She doesn’t know how old we are or what we do,” said defender Sam McBride. “She probably doesn’t think we have jobs, since we’re never dressed for work and we’re hanging around the lobby a lot.”

Having all moved to town at the same time in February, most of the players on San Antonio FC live together in the same apartment complex near Toyota Field. 

Without cable or internet in their rooms when they first got situated, the players spent their time sitting together in the complex lobby or by the pool. What started out as a way to escape boredom has turned into accelerated team bonding for a new team. Yes, these are the people who use the apartment complex lobby.

“After practice, we’d all go straight to this lobby for the Wi-Fi,” defender Greg Cochrane said. “It was like being in a dorm lounge again. And it actually brought us all closer together.”

Many of these players met for the first time in February,  but as they head to Seattle for SAFC’s first match on April 3, they’ve all built strong friendships.

Part of that has to do with the fact that almost the entire team lives in the same complex, except for a few players who were already living in San Antonio.

Every player in the complex has one or two roommates on the team, but they’ll often hang out in the apartments with the biggest TVs. One apartment can have a “Game of Thrones” marathon playing, while another might have a FIFA 16 Xbox tournament. One player will text a message on WhatsApp that he’s getting food, and suddenly half his teammates are there.

When Champions League is on, they’re all watching together.

“It’s helped us get to know each other past a surface level,” Manolo Sanchez said. “Before we got Wi-Fi, people were breaking out cards and chess sets. One guy broke out a giant DVD collection. We never thought we’d need DVDs again, but there you go.”

There have also been team building events at bowling and Top Golf, and the team even got in some laser tag on an off day.

In some ways, the team’s living situation is a bit of a sociology exercise. They’re a diverse group, with players from nine different states and five international players from England, Brazil, Colombia, Jamaica and Honduras.

While a couple of the players aren’t native English speakers, there are plenty of bilingual translators around.

“When guys translate for Rafa, they use different inflections,” said Michael Reed. “Rafa’s a fiery guy, and (assistant coach) Juan Lamadrid is like that too, so they’re both fired up when Juan’s translating. Miguel Salazar is pretty casual, so he’s laid back, and sometimes you wonder, ‘Miguel, are you really saying what he’s saying?'”

Forward Jason Johnson said the team has used the diversity to its advantage, because “we’re learning from each other and we’re here for a common cause.”

For Johnson, it helps that he has teammates in Shawn Chin and Milton Palacios who share his love for reggae music.

“We all speak the same language, and that’s soccer,” midfielder Carlos Alvarez said. “We’re a family of brothers all fighting for the same thing. We want the best for each other, and we have a common goal to win for SAFC.”

As for whose apartment is the messiest? Reed guessed it would be that of McBride, Salazar and Austin Dunker, because they’re all recent college graduates. McBride said that isn’t the case. They’re all professionals, after all.

“We’ve all come together in a few weeks, different styles, ethnicities, nations, religions,” Reed said. “We’ve all united under one symbol, our SAFC crest. That’s unique, and you don’t see that in many places in life.”

Next to Kaka and Brek Shea, Josh Ford walked onto the pitch in Philadelphia as a member of Orlando City SC's starting 11. Ford was making his first career MLS start last October, on the last day of the 2015 regular season.

It was a long time coming.

"It was a battle, to be honest," he said. "But that battle made everything it took to get my first MLS start worth it."

Ford's journey to the MLS goal had a few unexpected detours. Five years worth.

After a record-setting collegiate career at Connecticut, Ford was drafted into the MLS. But injuries and bad luck kept him out of an MLS new for almost five whole seasons.

When SAFC plays its first ever game on Sunday in Seattle, Ford will be back where his professional career began.

"I feel everyone has a story," Ford said, "and I'm just thankful that I was able to achieve my goal of playing in the MLS."

A 2010 All-Big East player, Ford set UConn school records for wins (54), shutouts (50) and consecutive stars (85).

The Seattle Sounders selected Ford, a 6-foot-0-keeper, at No. 11 overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. It gave him the potential to follow an American soccer legend at goalkeeper, Kasey Keller, who retired at the end of the 2011 season.

Early in 2012 though, Ford suffered a right knee injury that forced him to miss a large portion of the campaign. In 2013, Ford missed most of the year with a broken patella.

Ford did not make his professional debut until May 2014, when he was loaded to the USL's Orange County Blues for a game. Ford's time with the Sounders ended when Orlando selected him in the 2014 MLS re-entry draft, and he spent much of the 2015 season on loan to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

When Orlando City's top two goalkeepers went down with injuries, Ford was up. He played briefly in one game as a substitute, and then made his first start in Philadelphia last October.

His whole family flew in to celebrate the moment and Ford made five saves, allowing one goal on a penalty kick in a 1-0 loss.

"Obviously I would have liked for things to have happened sooner, but I think getting drafted to Seattle was great," he said. "I've learned a lot from battling with these injuries. A lot of work and time has gone into getting back on the pitch."

Now, Ford is in San Antonio. At 28, he is a veteran, the third-oldest player on the roster.

Ford is relishing in a fresh start in Texas, having moved past the injury-plagued seasons. He played college soccer with midfielder Carlos Alvarez and spent much of last season with Shawn Chin in Fort Lauderdale, and the chance to lead was a key factor for Ford.

There's a chance for Ford to play steady minutes for a full season for the first time in his professional career. Not that Ford is going to get ahead of himself.

"Nothing has been given in my career," Ford said. "Everything has to be earned, and I have that same mentality here."

Next to Kaka and Brek Shea, Josh Ford walked onto the pitch in Philadelphia as a member of Orlando City SC’s starting 11. Ford was making his first career MLS start last October, on the last day of the 2015 regular season.

It was a long time coming.

“It was a battle, to be honest,” he said. “But that battle made everything it took to get my first MLS start worth it.”

Ford’s journey to the MLS goal had a few unexpected detours. Five years worth.

After a record-setting collegiate career at Connecticut, Ford was drafted into the MLS. But injuries and bad luck kept him out of an MLS new for almost five whole seasons.

When SAFC plays its first ever game on Sunday in Seattle, Ford will be back where his professional career began.

“I feel everyone has a story,” Ford said, “and I’m just thankful that I was able to achieve my goal of playing in the MLS.”

A 2010 All-Big East player, Ford set UConn school records for wins (54), shutouts (50) and consecutive stars (85).

The Seattle Sounders selected Ford, a 6-foot-0-keeper, at No. 11 overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. It gave him the potential to follow an American soccer legend at goalkeeper, Kasey Keller, who retired at the end of the 2011 season.

Early in 2012 though, Ford suffered a right knee injury that forced him to miss a large portion of the campaign. In 2013, Ford missed most of the year with a broken patella.

Ford did not make his professional debut until May 2014, when he was loaded to the USL’s Orange County Blues for a game. Ford’s time with the Sounders ended when Orlando selected him in the 2014 MLS re-entry draft, and he spent much of the 2015 season on loan to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

When Orlando City’s top two goalkeepers went down with injuries, Ford was up. He played briefly in one game as a substitute, and then made his first start in Philadelphia last October.

His whole family flew in to celebrate the moment and Ford made five saves, allowing one goal on a penalty kick in a 1-0 loss.

“Obviously I would have liked for things to have happened sooner, but I think getting drafted to Seattle was great,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot from battling with these injuries. A lot of work and time has gone into getting back on the pitch.”

Now, Ford is in San Antonio. At 28, he is a veteran, the third-oldest player on the roster.

Ford is relishing in a fresh start in Texas, having moved past the injury-plagued seasons. He played college soccer with midfielder Carlos Alvarez and spent much of last season with Shawn Chin in Fort Lauderdale, and the chance to lead was a key factor for Ford.

There’s a chance for Ford to play steady minutes for a full season for the first time in his professional career. Not that Ford is going to get ahead of himself.

“Nothing has been given in my career,” Ford said. “Everything has to be earned, and I have that same mentality here.”

Powell was always thinking of ideas for game strategies or lines in speeches, but scrawling them on loose sheets of paper that would wind up in North Carolina’s recycling bins. His solution was to start writing all his notes in a black book, and Powell was always spotted around campus looking through it.

Powell held his first San Antonio FC team meeting at the AT&T Center last week, and the first thing he did was take out the book. Austin Dunker, Sam McBride and Miguel Salazar all smiled.

It made the three Elon University alums feel like they were home again.

“He’s a father figure to us,” Salazar said. “He’s really personable with us, and his energy radiates through the whole locker room.”

Powell spent nine seasons at the Division I University in Elon, N.C., where he was named All-Southern Conference Coach of the Year four times. He moved on to Orlando City SC in 2014 to become director of their pro academy, but Powell maintained a strong relationship with many of his former players.

Powell became the first coach of San Antonio FC in January, and he’s called on a trio of former players the Elon Phoenix to join him.

The three players know Powell better than anyone else in San Antonio. McBride and Dunker have known Powell since they were 10-years-old and Powell was a club coach at Greensboro Soccer Club.

They joked about some of Powell’s tendencies, such as the book, the particular way he’ll hold up his left hand when he’s giving an inspired speech or his excessive use of the word “buzzing.”

But they mostly spoke of a coach they would play for anywhere, whether it’s North Carolina or San Antonio.

“It was a dream come true the first time Coach Powell called me to play for him, and it’s a dream come true again,” Dunker said. “He’s a competitor, he’s a winner, and he loves his players.”

When Elon won its conference championship in 2015, a year and a half after Powell left, players still FaceTimed him from the locker room to celebrate with their old coach.

“I don’t know how to explain the emotion when they did that, it was kind of like a proud father,” Powell said. “When you’re working with players, it’s not just about the soccer. It goes much farther beyond that. Soccer’s one part of it and when you step over the white lines, it’s business, but when you’re off the pitch, you want to instill family values and beliefs.”

While Dunker graduated in 2014, Salazar and McBride were seniors on the 2015 team.

Salazar was a four-year starter at holding midfield, helping the Phoenix win a school-record 53 and earning Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) first team honors in 2015.

McBride, a defender, played every minute of the 2015 season and helped Elon record nine shutouts.
Dunker also is a defender, who recently played for the Seattle Sounders’ U-23 club.

All the players said Powell kept in touch with them after he left Elon.

“When Coach was at Elon, the program was all about family,” McBride said. “Those relationships you build are going to last and he really ingrained it into us. It’s not about you, it’s about family.”

Powell arrived at Elon in 2004, when the soccer team was coming off nine straight seasons with 10 or more losses. He became the school’s all-time winningest coach with a 94-68-23 record in nine seasons.

“Any team you build, you want to have people all pulling in the same direction,” Powell said. “This team has really run with that already. When your teammates have your back on and off the field, you feel a lot more confident and secure in what you’re doing.”

Now he takes on a new challenge, building a professional team from Day One. As the club finishes its first week of training camp, former Elon players said they’ve already seen the same type of bonds, teamwork and work ethic that Powell built at Elon.

They’re all buzzing to play for their coach again.

Powell was always thinking of ideas for game strategies or lines in speeches, but scrawling them on loose sheets of paper that would wind up in North Carolina’s recycling bins. His solution was to start writing all his notes in a black book, and Powell was always spotted around campus looking through it.

Powell held his first San Antonio FC team meeting at the AT&T Center last week, and the first thing he did was take out the book. Austin Dunker, Sam McBride and Miguel Salazar all smiled.

It made the three Elon University alums feel like they were home again.

“He’s a father figure to us,” Salazar said. “He’s really personable with us, and his energy radiates through the whole locker room.”

Powell spent nine seasons at the Division I University in Elon, N.C., where he was named All-Southern Conference Coach of the Year four times. He moved on to Orlando City SC in 2014 to become director of their pro academy, but Powell maintained a strong relationship with many of his former players.

Powell became the first coach of San Antonio FC in January, and he’s called on a trio of former players the Elon Phoenix to join him.

The three players know Powell better than anyone else in San Antonio. McBride and Dunker have known Powell since they were 10-years-old and Powell was a club coach at Greensboro Soccer Club.

They joked about some of Powell’s tendencies, such as the book, the particular way he’ll hold up his left hand when he’s giving an inspired speech or his excessive use of the word “buzzing.”

But they mostly spoke of a coach they would play for anywhere, whether it’s North Carolina or San Antonio.

“It was a dream come true the first time Coach Powell called me to play for him, and it’s a dream come true again,” Dunker said. “He’s a competitor, he’s a winner, and he loves his players.”

When Elon won its conference championship in 2015, a year and a half after Powell left, players still FaceTimed him from the locker room to celebrate with their old coach.

“I don’t know how to explain the emotion when they did that, it was kind of like a proud father,” Powell said. “When you’re working with players, it’s not just about the soccer. It goes much farther beyond that. Soccer’s one part of it and when you step over the white lines, it’s business, but when you’re off the pitch, you want to instill family values and beliefs.”

While Dunker graduated in 2014, Salazar and McBride were seniors on the 2015 team.

Salazar was a four-year starter at holding midfield, helping the Phoenix win a school-record 53 and earning Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) first team honors in 2015.

McBride, a defender, played every minute of the 2015 season and helped Elon record nine shutouts.
Dunker also is a defender, who recently played for the Seattle Sounders’ U-23 club.

All the players said Powell kept in touch with them after he left Elon.

“When Coach was at Elon, the program was all about family,” McBride said. “Those relationships you build are going to last and he really ingrained it into us. It’s not about you, it’s about family.”

Powell arrived at Elon in 2004, when the soccer team was coming off nine straight seasons with 10 or more losses. He became the school’s all-time winningest coach with a 94-68-23 record in nine seasons.

“Any team you build, you want to have people all pulling in the same direction,” Powell said. “This team has really run with that already. When your teammates have your back on and off the field, you feel a lot more confident and secure in what you’re doing.”

Now he takes on a new challenge, building a professional team from Day One. As the club finishes its first week of training camp, former Elon players said they’ve already seen the same type of bonds, teamwork and work ethic that Powell built at Elon.

They’re all buzzing to play for their coach again.