For the first time since 2019 the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup returned to Toyota Field on Tuesday night as San Antonio FC knocked out D'Feeters Kicks Soccer Club (DKSC) from Dallas, TX in a Second Round game by a score of 3-1. SAFC Academy product Henrik Sakshaug scored a second half brace to lead SAFC to the win. He's the youngest player to ever score a brace for SAFC. Connor Maloney, who was a superb halftime sub for San Antonio, also scored for the home side. DKSC plays in the UPSL Texas North Premier Division and this was the first time that San Antonio FC ever faced a UPSL Club in Open Cup play.
DKSC advanced to the second round by beating the defending NPSL National Champions Denton Diablos by a score of 3-2 back on March 22nd. The game featured three red cards in the match and was arguably the biggest upset in Round One in the Open Cup Tournament.
This is the 5th time San Antonio FC has appeared in the US Open Cup Tournament. SAFC improved to 7-4 all time in the competition with the victory and have won at least one game in every year they have appeared.
The third Round of the US Open Cup will begin on April 19th and runs through April 21st. Seventeen clubs from MLS will enter the tournament in the Third Round. The Draw for the Third Round games will occur on Friday April 8th at 11am Central Time.
The game was even at 0-0 at Halftime and the visiting side seemed to be gaining confidence for an upset. SAFC quickly put that notion to bed in the second half when they ripped off three goals in a four minute span to essentially put the match out of reach. DKSC did pull one back when Mendez scored in the 61' to make the game 3-1 but the D'Feeters would get no closer. All four goals were scored in an 8 minute burst of action in the second half. DKSC had to finish the match with ten men when a second Yellow Card, and subsequent Red Card, was issued to Juan Ramirez in the 83'.
Next up for SAFC is a return to league play this weekend when they'll travel to face the 2021 USL Cup Champions, Orange County SC. SAFC will be looking for payback from their loss to OC-SC in the Western Conference Final last November. SAFC lost in Penalty Kicks 5-3 after playing to a 1-1 draw through regulation and extra time.
San Antonio is coming off their first league loss of the season last weekend when they dropped a 2-0 result to Phoenix Rising FC. San Antonio FC return home on April 16th when they'll host El Paso Locomotive in the first Copa Tejas match of 2022; the in-season tournament to determine the best USL Championship team in Texas.
IMAGES: SAN ANTONIO FC TWITTER
PHOTO: DARREN ABATE / INSTAGRAM: @PEAKACTION