San Antonio FC (2-2-1, 8 points) had to settle for one point instead of three against RGV-FC (3-1-1, 10 points) on Saturday night at Toyota Field as the teams tied 1-1. Marcus Epps scored for SAFC in the first half and Juan Azocar scored a spectacular 89' bicycle kick to level the game and ensure both teams shared a point. For San Antonio FC it was the 17th straight regular season home game without a loss. The point momentarliy puts RGV-FC at the top of the all-Texas Copa Tejas Table but they have played the most games of the four Texas teams to this point. RGV-FC also remain in first place in the Mountain Division.
SAFC Keeper Matt Cardone perhaps best summed up the mood of the team. "Guys are very emotional right now. We are disappointed and frustrated with how the result ended up. We played very well, and we just need to be more clinical with our chances and see the game out.”
The goal was the second of the season for Epps and he is only the second SAFC player to score more than one goal so far in 2021.
There were a few strange omens involved in the result tonight. The first was SAFC Midfielder PC going down with a non contact injury inside the opening ten minutes of the match. There has been no official word on the extent of his injury but non contact injuries are always worrisome. He was seen on crutches after the match. His replacement in the linep Emil Cuello would eventually get a straight Red Card in the 80' for a bad foul. RGV-FC would get their equalizer less than ten minutes later. There was also the odd matter of a cat who momentarily stopped play and excited the sold out Toyota Field crowd as it scurried across the pitch in the 57'. Lastly, the result left the all time series between SAFC and RGV-FC even at the dreaded 6-6-6 mark. 6 Wins, 6 Draws and 6 Losses for each team head to head. Yes, Saturday night had some omens.
In the second half SAFC appeared to be cruising towards victory but the Cuello red card forced them to play down a man for the final 15 minutes of the game, including stoppage time. RGV-FC turned up the heat and took advantage of the undermanned San Antonio team and forced the draw.
It certainly wasn't from a lack of effort from the San Antonio offense who put up some big numbers in the game. SAFC had 10 shots on goal in the match, the second most ever in team history. RGV-FC Keeper Tyler Deric, formerly of MLS' Houston Dynamo, came up with 9 saves on the night. That's the most ever for an opponent against SAFC in their history. In total, SAFC out shot RGV-FC 14-10 and they forced RGV-FC into a whopping 23 clearances on the night. But they couldn't find a second goal to seal the win.
SAFC Manager Alen Marcina noted the attack on the night. “We created more than enough opportunities to win that game. I don’t know what the count was, but I know it was high. The type of opportunities that we created were high percentage opportunities. We have to be more clinical and put teams away. As a collective we defended really well. That’s soccer.”
SAFC Defender Jasser Khmiri had a productive night on the Defensive side of the ball. Khmiri recorded two tackles, two clearances, seven interceptions and seven possessions gained. But the Azocar equalizer was a special goal and sometimes all you can do is tip your cap to the opponent.
Next up for San Antonio FC is the first of three straight road games when they travel to play Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC next Saturday night in their new downtown soccer stadium, Weidner Field. It will only be the second match ever played in the new 8,000 seat facility. SAFC defeated Colorado 3-0 in the opening game of the season at Toyota Field.
IMAGES: SAN ANTONIO FC TWITTER, RGV-FC TWITTER
PHOTO: DARREN ABATE / INSTAGRAM: @PEAKACTION