For the second time in one month San Antonio FC (2-5-2, 11 points) and RGV-FC (5-2-2, 17 points) played to a 1-1 draw at a sold out Toyota Field on Saturday night. And for the second time it was SAFC grabbing the early lead only to have it erased by a RGV-FC equalizer. SAFC Forward Justin Dhillon scored his second goal of the season, and of the month, in the 13th minute for the 1-0 lead. RGV-FC Forward Christian Sorto would equalize 10 minutes later to complete the scoring on the night. With the draw, San Antonio extended their regular season unbeaten streak at Toyota Field to 18 games.
Overall, it's a little less rosy for SAFC as they have now gone 5 straight games without a victory. They are in 5th place in the Mountain Divison, one spot beneath the playoff line. And in the Copa Tejas standings, San Antonio remain in last place with only two points. They are the only team without a win in the all-Texas Tournament.
Said SAFC Manager Aalen Marcina after the match, “The guys competed. We continue to keep this regular season home unbeaten streak going, 18 games is quite impressive in any league in the world; it’s not as easy thing to do. From that perspective I am very proud of the players. I thought we did enough to get the three points, and we have to continue to trust the process.”
The San Antonio goal was set up by Midfielder Ollie Wright who had a terrific game, making several big plays at both ends of the field. For Wright, it was his first Assist in a SAFC uniform. He played a precise pass through the box to a streaking Dhillon whose only touch was to hammer the ball immediately into the net, beating RGV-FC Keeper Tyler Deric on the near post with a magnificent strike for the early 1-0 lead. Wright had only entered the game two minutes before making the Assist, subbing on for injured Forward Nathan in the 11'.
Said Wright after the match, “I received the ball quite high up. In training, me and Justin have linked up a few times, so I am quite used to him making that run, and luckily he did that. I was able to find him through the defense and it was a great finish by him.”
Not to be outdone, ten minutes later RGV-FC completed a similarly looking play, but from an even greater distance on the pitch, as Elvis Amoh delieverd a sensational pass through the Midfield past two SAFC Defenders. Striker Christian Sorto did the rest to beat SAFC Keeper Matt Cardone from just outside the six yard box for the equalizer.
The second half was marked by a combined seven substiutions and seven yellow cards between the two heated rivals, but neither team could find a match-winning goal. The all-time series remains tied between the two teams. Each has 6 wins, 7 draws, and 6 losses head to head. They'll meet again in August for the fourth and final team this season.
Next up for San Antonio FC, they go back out on the road to face Real Monarchs in Utah next Saturday night. The teams played to a 2-2 draw at Toyota Field in May. San Antonio FC have not won on the road this season. The good news for SAFC is they will get their leading scorer Santiago Patino back after he served a three-match suspension for misconduct.
IMAGES: SAN ANTONIO FC TWITTER, RGV-FC TWITTER
PHOTO: DARREN ABATE / INSTAGRAM: @PEAKACTION