San Antonio FC (13-9-7, 48 points) tied FC Tulsa (12-4-12, 40 points) 1-1 on Saturday night at Toyota Field. It was the only meeting of the year between SAFC and their traditional Western Regional rival who find themselves currently playing in the Eastern Conference. Jose Gallegos scored a second half equalizer for San Antonio FC to earn the point. With the result SAFC remain level on points with Colorado as both teams battle for second place in the division and the right to host a playoff home game in November. San Antonio has three games remaining while Colorado only has two. The teams will play head to head in the regular season finale on October 30th at Toyota Field.
With the draw, San Antonio has now only lost one time in their last 8 games, including 5 wins in that stretch. FC Tulsa had lost 3 of their previous 4 matches before earning the road draw. San Antonio could have clinched a playoff birth with a victory in the game, but they'll retain the same opportunity in any of their remaining three matches.
For Gallegos, it was his 6th goal of the season which ties him for third on the team with Marcus Epps. It is also a new career high for Goals in a season for Gallegos.
Said Manager Alen Marcina after the match, “I thought from start to finish, we were the aggressors with and without the ball and we created more than enough opportunities to win the game. They scored a beautiful goal but nonetheless we did more than enough to get the three points, but I’m proud of the group tonight.”
FC Tulsa's Rodrigo da Costa opened the scoring for the game in the 27' when he hit a precise shot from distance beating SAFC Keeper Matt Cardone into the upper left corner of the net with a laser of a shot to give the visitors the 1-0 lead.
That would hold up until the 56' when Jose Gallegos scored from out wide on a ball that looked like it had the potential to be a cross but ultimately went over the head of Tulsa Keeper Austin Wormell for the sensational equalizing goal.
Neither team could find the match winner in the final half hour of play.
Next up for San Antonio FC is their final road match of the regular season as they travel to play New Mexico United on Wednesday night. New Mexico defeated SAFC at Toyota Field 1-0 in their previous meeting last month. SAFC returns home next Saturday night as they will host Austin Bold on October 23rd.
Scoring Summary:
TUL: 0-1, Rodrigo da Costa 27’
SAFC: 1-1, Jose Gallegos 57’
IMAGES: SAN ANTONIO FC TWITTER
PHOTO: DARREN ABATE, INSTAGRAM: @PEAKACTION