San Antonio FC beat Rio Grande Valley FC in the club’s first match of the 2017 USL season. A goal from midfielder Billy Forbes earned the Alamo City club its first win in the season opener.
“I think tonight you saw our team show very good character from start to finish,” SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell said. “It was a very difficult game. We had to be resilient, show good character and defend well. I’m very proud of the players and it’s always important to come on the road and secure a victory like this.”
SAFC opened the scoring in the 15th minute when forward Cesar Elizondo made his way into the box and played a square ball to Billy Forbes, who placed the ball into the back of the net far-post to give the visitors the 1-0 lead. The goal was Forbes’ first for the Silver and Black and Elizondo’s second assist since joining the club.
RGV FC came close to equalizing in the 30th minute when a counter attack saw midfielder Kyle Murphy in on an open net, but his shot went wide of the goal. The Toros had several chances to equalize in the second half, but were unable to find a goal.
San Antonio FC players Cyprian Hedrick, Sebastien Ibeagha, Ben Newnam, Pecka, Forbes, and AJ Ajeakwa made their debut in the starting lineup, while midfielders Kris Tyrpak and San Antonio native Maxi Rodriguez debuted off the bench.
The match marked the fifth encounter between the two clubs and the first win for San Antonio FC over RGVFC. San Antonio FC will return to action on Saturday, April 1st as they host LA Galaxy II in the club’s 2017 home opener, presented by H-E-B.
Scoring Summary:
SAFC: 1-0, Billy Forbes (Cesar Elizondo assist) 15’
Disciplinary Summary:
RGVFC: Yellow Card (Emilio Garcia 62’)
SAFC: Yellow Card (Maxi Rodriguez 90’)
SAFC Starting XI: GK: Matt Cardone; D: Ben Newnam, Sebasiten Ibeagha, Cyprian Hedrick (Stephen McCarthy 37’), Greg Cochrane; M: Rafa Castillo, Michael Reed (Maxi Rodriguez 63’), Pecka, AJ Ajeakwa (Kris Tyrpak 80’), Billy Forbes; F: Cesar Elizondo
Substitutions Not Used: Diego Restrepo, Shawn Chin, Devin Vega, Aly Alberto Hassan
Postgame Notes:
- San Antonio FC won its first match of the season, beating RGV FC 1-0 in Edinburg…marks the first victory for SAFC over RGV in five total matches between 2016 and 2017…SAFC has now won its second consecutive season-opener…San Antonio defeated Seattle Sounders 2, 3-0 to open the 2016 USL season
- San Antonio completed 256 passes, with a 67.6% pass accuracy…midfielder Rafa Castillo led the team with an 86.7% passing accuracy with 30 total passes
- SAFC defender Ben Newnam led both teams with 11 tackles in the match…his 11 tackles were seven more than the next highest player on the field
- San Antonio FC midfielder Billy Forbes scored his first goal the club and was named SWBC Man of the Match…Forbes added two shots and one shot on target on the night…marks his first ever USL goal
- SAFC forward Cesar Elizondo recorded his first assist of the season tonight, already matching his total from last year…the Costa Rican recorded an assist in nine (574 minutes) matches during the 2016 season
- Eight players made their club debut for San Antonio FC on Sunday in RGV…Pecka and Billy Forbes made their first-ever USL appearances, and Maxi Rodriguez made his professional debut after joining the club from UNC Charlotte
San Antonio FC beat Rio Grande Valley FC in the club’s first match of the 2017 USL season. A goal from midfielder Billy Forbes earned the Alamo City club its first win in the season opener.
“I think tonight you saw our team show very good character from start to finish,” SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell said. “It was a very difficult game. We had to be resilient, show good character and defend well. I’m very proud of the players and it’s always important to come on the road and secure a victory like this.”
SAFC opened the scoring in the 15th minute when forward Cesar Elizondo made his way into the box and played a square ball to Billy Forbes, who placed the ball into the back of the net far-post to give the visitors the 1-0 lead. The goal was Forbes’ first for the Silver and Black and Elizondo’s second assist since joining the club.
RGV FC came close to equalizing in the 30th minute when a counter attack saw midfielder Kyle Murphy in on an open net, but his shot went wide of the goal. The Toros had several chances to equalize in the second half, but were unable to find a goal.
San Antonio FC players Cyprian Hedrick, Sebastien Ibeagha, Ben Newnam, Pecka, Forbes, and AJ Ajeakwa made their debut in the starting lineup, while midfielders Kris Tyrpak and San Antonio native Maxi Rodriguez debuted off the bench.
The match marked the fifth encounter between the two clubs and the first win for San Antonio FC over RGVFC. San Antonio FC will return to action on Saturday, April 1st as they host LA Galaxy II in the club’s 2017 home opener, presented by H-E-B.
Scoring Summary:
SAFC: 1-0, Billy Forbes (Cesar Elizondo assist) 15’
Disciplinary Summary:
RGVFC: Yellow Card (Emilio Garcia 62’)
SAFC: Yellow Card (Maxi Rodriguez 90’)
SAFC Starting XI: GK: Matt Cardone; D: Ben Newnam, Sebasiten Ibeagha, Cyprian Hedrick (Stephen McCarthy 37’), Greg Cochrane; M: Rafa Castillo, Michael Reed (Maxi Rodriguez 63’), Pecka, AJ Ajeakwa (Kris Tyrpak 80’), Billy Forbes; F: Cesar Elizondo
Substitutions Not Used: Diego Restrepo, Shawn Chin, Devin Vega, Aly Alberto Hassan
Postgame Notes:
- San Antonio FC won its first match of the season, beating RGV FC 1-0 in Edinburg…marks the first victory for SAFC over RGV in five total matches between 2016 and 2017…SAFC has now won its second consecutive season-opener…San Antonio defeated Seattle Sounders 2, 3-0 to open the 2016 USL season
- San Antonio completed 256 passes, with a 67.6% pass accuracy…midfielder Rafa Castillo led the team with an 86.7% passing accuracy with 30 total passes
- SAFC defender Ben Newnam led both teams with 11 tackles in the match…his 11 tackles were seven more than the next highest player on the field
- San Antonio FC midfielder Billy Forbes scored his first goal the club and was named SWBC Man of the Match…Forbes added two shots and one shot on target on the night…marks his first ever USL goal
- SAFC forward Cesar Elizondo recorded his first assist of the season tonight, already matching his total from last year…the Costa Rican recorded an assist in nine (574 minutes) matches during the 2016 season
- Eight players made their club debut for San Antonio FC on Sunday in RGV…Pecka and Billy Forbes made their first-ever USL appearances, and Maxi Rodriguez made his professional debut after joining the club from UNC Charlotte
