San Antonio FC (2-1-1, 7 points) defeated Birmingham Legion FC (1-1-2, 4 points) 2-1 on Saturday night in front of a sold out, socially distanced crowd of 3,845 fans on Viva Night at Toyota Field. San Antonio Forward Santiago Patiño scored his League leading 5th goal of the season in the opening minute of the match. In the second half, Jordan Perruzza, who just made his return to SAFC this week on loan for the second season in a row from Toronto FC in MLS, scored the match winner in his first appearance of the season in the 81'. Neco Brett scored for Birmingham in second half added time to make things interesting at the end, but SAFC held on for the win and the 3 points.
San Antonio FC are unbeaten in 16 straight regular season home games at Toyota Field. Twelve of the sixteen games during the streak have been wins.
Said Manager Alen Marcina after the match, “Tonight was all around a special night. I’m so proud of everyone. We played in front of a sold out crowd. Our fans were amazing and brought so much energy. We got to celebrate a city tradition with ‘Viva Night’ and that was amazing as well. The front office did a great job and the players were committed. They earned the result.”
Perruzza scored 3 goals in only 5 league appearances for SAFC in his inaugural loan camapign last season. He picked up right where he left off as he begins his second stint on loan in San Antonio. On his winner, Defender Mathieu Deplagne played a beautiful header to Perruzza into space off a corner kick and Jordan did the rest, kicking a clever bouncing ball into the ground and past Birmingham Keeper, and reigning USL Championship Player of the week, Matt Van Oekle for the 2-0 lead and the eventual match winner.
Patiño got things started in the opening minute when he cleaned up a rebound from Midfielder Jose Gallegos and pounced on the ball in the Birmingham box for the quick 1-0 lead. It was the third fastest goal scored in San Antonio FC history and is also his league leading 5th goal of the season. If there is any knock in his game, it is his knack for picking up Yellow Cards. He was carded again on Saturday night and he has now earned a Yellow Card in all four matches this year. That has him on the fast track to a Yellow Card Suspension if this pace continues. He got into a dead ball incident with Birmingham Defender Phanuel Kavita in the 18' and each player picked up a Yellow Card for their involvement.
Kavita, who had other questionable moments in the game, was booed from that point forward by the Toyota Field fans every time he touched the ball.
Said Deplange on Patiño's goal just 43 seconds into the match, "It changes everything, it changed the game. It’s easier for us especially at home. That’s a good way to start the game, and after a win it feels even better.”
SAFC Keeper Matt Cardone also had a huge night in goal and no moment was bigger than his second half added time double save. First he made a save on a Kobayashi strike from distance and then followed that up with an outstretched save at the near post on a rebound from Defender Ryan James to help preserve the victory. In total, Cardone had 5 saves on the night which matches his season high.
Next up for San Antonio FC is the second game of the season against Texas rivals RGV-FC next Saturday night at Toyota Field. SAFC lost to RGV-FC in their first meeting of the season 2-1. It will be a battle for first place in the Mountain Division when the two teams square off.
IMAGES: SAN ANTONIO FC TWITTER
PHOTO: DARREN ABATE / INSTAGRAM: @PEAKACTION