SAFC hits the road for the first time in 2021, and the only time in the month of May, as they head south to face Regional Rivals RGV-FC. The match also represents the first game and overall return of the Copa Tejas tournament for 2021; the regular season tournament to crown the best USL Championship team in Texas. The tournament did not take place in 2020 due to schedule limitations related to the global pandemic.
The match will mark the 17th league game between the two Texas sides, by far the most common opponent for SAFC in their history. The teams will meet again at Toyota Field 13 days after this match and four times in total for 2021.
SAFC will try to rebound from a game that got away from them last weekend. Despite going a man down early in the first half, SAFC managed to build a 2-0 lead by halftime against Real Monarchs. They wouldn’t be able to hold it as they surrendered two goals in the first ten minutes of the second half and had to settle for one point instead of three.
Manager Alen Marcina still found value in the result. “I am a firm believer in experiences, and this is an experience we will take with us. There were parts we did well and stuff we have to improve on. Win, draw or lose there are always areas we can continue to get better. But there are a lot of things we did well (Saturday night).”
San Antonio still managed 11 shots in the match despite being down a player for an hour and they forced the Monarchs into 22 clearances despite being out possessed 57%-43% and with the Monarchs completing 90 more passes than SAFC on Saturday night.
High performers from Saturday included SAFC Midfielder PC who recorded five tackles, five clearances, four interceptions and ten possessions gained in the match. Meanwhile Defender Jasser Khmiri led the team with seven interceptions. On Offense Marcus Epps and Emil Cuello were the goal scorers for SAFC, each scoring their first goal while wearing the silver and black. Epps was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for his performance.
The Epps goal was Assisted by Cam Lindley and Epps had this to say about him and the goal. “I’ve played with Cam many times in the past. I saw when the ball came to him, I opened up and we made eye contact and I knew he would play the ball. Cam played a beautiful ball, and I just had to focus on the finish. I am happy that I could score for the group.”
For RGV-FC, this match marks their third straight home game to start the 2021 season. There’s almost nowhere to go but up for RGV-FC. They have already equaled their win total from all of last season (two) in just their first two games. So far, they look like a completely different team after back to back 1-0 wins over New Mexico United and San Diego Loyal.
Notable signings for RGV-FC this offseason included former Dynamo Forward Vicente Sanchez who signed on in a player / coach role. They also added two other former Dynamo players in Midfielder Juan David Cabezas and Keeper Tyler Deric, who brings with him over 100 appearances in MLS. And last but not least RGV-FC added former Sporting Kansas City midfielder Wan Kuzain, who in 2018 was a Finalist for the Young Player of the Year award.
RGV further looked to USL Championship for additions. RGV added a pair of players from USL Eastern teams in Goal Keeper Colin Miller and Midfielder Baboucarr Njie, from Atlanta United 2 and Loudoun United respectively.
Elvis Amoh and Sanchez are the goal scorers for RGV through two games (one each) with Christian Sorto and James Murphy adding the Assists. The Sanchez winner against San Diego was historic as he became the oldest player to score a goal in USL Championship history at 41 years of age.
Tyler Deric has been the man in the net in the first two games posting five saves to go along with his two clean sheets. Newcomer Cabezas paces the RGV Defenders with six clearances.
Wilmer Cabrera is back to Manage RGV-FC for the second time. He originally led the club in their debut season in 2016. That year RGV-FC had the best Defense in the League and they earned their only playoff birth in club history. With no goals allowed in their first two games, they are on pace to be a team that more closely resembles 2016 than 2020.
One last bit of notable off-season news for RGV-FC; they restructured their Affiliate relationship with Houston Dynamo and they became eligible for the US Open Cup for the first time in 2021. But with challenges from the global pandemic still ongoing, whether the Tournament ends up scaled down or not played at all in 2021 (still TBD) the Toros already know their fate and they will have to wait at least one more year to participate.
It will surely be another memorable Texas showdown on Sunday night in the Valley.
The Matchup (W-D-L)
San Antonio FC (1-1-0, 4 points) at RGV-FC (2-0-0, 6 points)
HEB Park, Saturday May 15th, 2021
Kickoff 7:30pm Central Time
Current Form (W-D-L)(TAKE OUT)
San Antonio FC - 2021 Road Record 0-0-0
W-D-
RV-FC – 2021 Home Record 2-0-0
W-W-
All Time History (W-D-L)
Saturday will mark the 17th meeting between these two teams (6-5-5). SAFC took 10 of 12 possible points from RGV last season putting SAFC in the lead of the head to head series for the first time. SAFC are 3-2-3 all time on the road against RGV-FC. SAFC are unbeaten in 5 straight games vs RGV and have won 3 straight matches.
SAFC has had a lot of success at HEB Park in particular. They have only lost once in six games at the venue, including three wins.
Season Series
5/15/21 @ RGV
5/29/21 @ SA
6/19/21 @ SA
8/8/21 @ RGV
Last Time
SAFC scored three goals in the opening 22 minutes last September at Toyota Field and hung on for a 3-2 victory. The win capped a successful season for SAFC in the series, winning 3 games and drawing once against their Texas rivals.
IMAGES: SAN ANTONIO FC TWITTER, RGV-FC TWITTER