San Antonio FC (13-10-8, 49 points) played Austin Bold FC (10-11-10, 41 points) to a 0-0 tie on Saturday night at Toyota Field. SAFC had several quality chances to get the match winning goal but couldn't find it. SAFC are already playoff bound but Austin find themselves two points out of playoff position with one game to play. While no formal announcement has been made, signs point to this game being the last ever meeting between Austin Bold and SAFC. Reports have indicated the Bold will relocate to Ft Worth in 2022 under new ownership.
If that ends up being the case, SAFC vs Austin Bold will go down as a fairly even battle. In their 10 regular season meetings both teams won 4 matches while drawing twice. Austin also has a 2019 US Open Cup victory over SAFC under their belt.
The match also doubled as the last Copa Tejas game in 2021 for both teams. El Paso has already won the 2021 trophy but with the result tonight San Antonio FC will finish no better than third place and could end up last if RGV defeats El Paso next week. As part of their legacy Austin Bold were the Inagural Copa Tejas Winners in 2019.
If Austin Bold are the past, the 2021 USL Championship Post-Season is the future. San Antonio hosts Colorado next weekend in the final match of the regular season with second place in the Mountain Division and a home playoff game all on the line. SAFC holds the tiebreaker if the two teams finish level on points. That is becuase SAFC leads the head to head points 7-1 thanks to two wins and a tie against Colorado earlier this season. So very simply, San Antonio FC will clinch second place and a home playoff game with a win or a draw next Saturday night at Toyota Field.
“I thought we were the dominant and superior steam from start to finish,” said SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina. “They had one spell where they had a lot of free kicks and corner kicks. But other than that, we created more than enough opportunities to earn the three points. We know we have to be more clinical in front of goal.”
In a match that was largely a defensive battle at both ends, the two teams combined for only 8 shots on target, with San Antonio holding a wide margin in total shots 22-9. The teams also combined for 39 clearances. SAFC Goal Keeper Matt Cardone made several key saves to keep the clean sheet and earn the point. It was the 7th clean sheet of the year for Cardone. Officially, he had three saves on the night which gives him 94 saves on the season. That ties his own single season record from 2019.
San Antonio had some incredible chances in the second half including Midfielder Jose Gallegos getting a wicked deflection on goal in the 59' that was well saved by Austin Keeper Elliott Panicco. SAFC Midfielder PC also had a point blank try in the 75' that ended up off target.
And San Antonio Forward Santiago Patiño, who made his first home appearance following a lengthy injury hiatus, also had a big opportunity. It was his first home apperance since the last time Austin was in town way back on July 3rd. In the 89' he had an open look at goal from inside the Austin box but his powerful strike floated harmlessly above the bar. Patiño was visibly frustrated after the missed attempt
It was still an important point for San Antonio who now have two ways to clinch a home playoff game in the season finale next week.
Next up for SAFC is that all important final regular season match of the year as they host Colorado next Saturday night. After that will come the Playoffs. Next week will decide if San Antonio are home or away when those begin.
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PHOTO - DARREN ABATE / INSTAGRAM: @PEAKACTION