“We came out to a very fast start and got a couple of goals and had to hold on to the lead the rest of the match,” said SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell. “To get three points on the road in our opening game, the team is very pleased.”
SAFC got a strong start early in the match when a string of passes at the edge of the hosts’ box ended with a cool finish from Johnson, earning him the first goal of the night and the first ever in club history. The forward struck again just seven minutes later after capitalizing on an awkward bounce over the defense that found him one-on-one with the opposing keeper.
“Two goals early on was a really good thing for the team knowing that we are a good defensive squad,” said Johnson. “It was huge especially away from home and the first game in franchise history. I think that is a brilliant way to start off a season.”
The half ended with San Antonio leading by two after a strong showing both defensively and offensively.
In the second half, San Antonio FC created multiple chances through the wings, but no cross was met with a dangerous shot on target. Despite a good spell of possession for Sounders 2, SAFC substitute Fejiro Okiomah put his name on the score sheet, burying his shot following a deflection in the box only two minutes after coming on.
The club received some extra support with around 30 members of SAFC supporter groups the Crocketteers and Mission City 118 on hand to cheer on the club in Seattle.
“Our fan support in Seattle was absolutely fantastic,” said Powell. “They sang for 90 minutes and from the moment the players walked out until the very end, so that really helped the guys. We hope to see a few more next weekend, but if they can make that noise, what an atmosphere we can create at Toyota Field.”
The victory follows a very successful preseason campaign that saw SAFC get six wins and two draws. The Sounders will look to get their first win of the 2016 season next week when they host Rio Grande Valley FC in Washington.
San Antonio will take three points home ahead of their second match of the season. The team will look to continue its unbeaten run in their home opener as they host Swope Park Rangers at Toyota Field on Saturday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Scoring Summary:
SAFC: 0-1, Jason Johnson ‘3
SAFC: 0-2, Jason Johnson ‘10
SAFC: 0-3, Fejiro Okiomah ’79
SAFC Starting XI: GK: Josh Ford (c); D: Milton Palacios (Sebastien Thuriere ’90), Stephen McCarthy, Sam McBride, Bobby Moseley (Fejiro Okiomah ’77); M: Michael Reed, Rafa Castillo, Carlos Alvarez (Danny Garcia ’66), Greg Cochrane, Manolo Sanchez (Shawn Chin ’57); F: Jason Johnson
Substitutions Not Used: Matt Cardone, Miguel Salazar, Victor Araujo
Postgame Notes:
· The match in Seattle marked the first game in SAFC history…the club was announced as a USL expansion franchise owned by Spurs Sports & Entertainment in January of 2016
· Forward Jason Johnson scored the first goal in SAFC club history with his third minute strike…took only seven more minutes for Johnson to add his second club goal…Johnson was signed by SAFC in February after he spent 2015 with the Chicago Fire (MLS)
· Although traditionally being deployed as a defender over his career, Fejiro Okiomah made his first appearance for SAFC as a striker, coming on as a substitute in the 77th minute…scored his first club goal in the 80th minute to give SAFC a 3-0 lead.
· SAFC goalkeeper Josh Ford recorded a clean sheet in his first match with the club…Ford previously played with the Seattle Sounders (MLS) from 2011-2014
· Club rookie Sam McBride made his first appearance and first start for the club after joining from Elon University…McBride, along with Miguel Salazar and Austin Dunker are former Elon products who played under Darren Powell during his time there.
“We came out to a very fast start and got a couple of goals and had to hold on to the lead the rest of the match,” said SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell. “To get three points on the road in our opening game, the team is very pleased.”
SAFC got a strong start early in the match when a string of passes at the edge of the hosts’ box ended with a cool finish from Johnson, earning him the first goal of the night and the first ever in club history. The forward struck again just seven minutes later after capitalizing on an awkward bounce over the defense that found him one-on-one with the opposing keeper.
“Two goals early on was a really good thing for the team knowing that we are a good defensive squad,” said Johnson. “It was huge especially away from home and the first game in franchise history. I think that is a brilliant way to start off a season.”
The half ended with San Antonio leading by two after a strong showing both defensively and offensively.
In the second half, San Antonio FC created multiple chances through the wings, but no cross was met with a dangerous shot on target. Despite a good spell of possession for Sounders 2, SAFC substitute Fejiro Okiomah put his name on the score sheet, burying his shot following a deflection in the box only two minutes after coming on.
The club received some extra support with around 30 members of SAFC supporter groups the Crocketteers and Mission City 118 on hand to cheer on the club in Seattle.
“Our fan support in Seattle was absolutely fantastic,” said Powell. “They sang for 90 minutes and from the moment the players walked out until the very end, so that really helped the guys. We hope to see a few more next weekend, but if they can make that noise, what an atmosphere we can create at Toyota Field.”
The victory follows a very successful preseason campaign that saw SAFC get six wins and two draws. The Sounders will look to get their first win of the 2016 season next week when they host Rio Grande Valley FC in Washington.
San Antonio will take three points home ahead of their second match of the season. The team will look to continue its unbeaten run in their home opener as they host Swope Park Rangers at Toyota Field on Saturday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Scoring Summary:
SAFC: 0-1, Jason Johnson ‘3
SAFC: 0-2, Jason Johnson ‘10
SAFC: 0-3, Fejiro Okiomah ’79
SAFC Starting XI: GK: Josh Ford (c); D: Milton Palacios (Sebastien Thuriere ’90), Stephen McCarthy, Sam McBride, Bobby Moseley (Fejiro Okiomah ’77); M: Michael Reed, Rafa Castillo, Carlos Alvarez (Danny Garcia ’66), Greg Cochrane, Manolo Sanchez (Shawn Chin ’57); F: Jason Johnson
Substitutions Not Used: Matt Cardone, Miguel Salazar, Victor Araujo
Postgame Notes:
· The match in Seattle marked the first game in SAFC history…the club was announced as a USL expansion franchise owned by Spurs Sports & Entertainment in January of 2016
· Forward Jason Johnson scored the first goal in SAFC club history with his third minute strike…took only seven more minutes for Johnson to add his second club goal…Johnson was signed by SAFC in February after he spent 2015 with the Chicago Fire (MLS)
· Although traditionally being deployed as a defender over his career, Fejiro Okiomah made his first appearance for SAFC as a striker, coming on as a substitute in the 77th minute…scored his first club goal in the 80th minute to give SAFC a 3-0 lead.
· SAFC goalkeeper Josh Ford recorded a clean sheet in his first match with the club…Ford previously played with the Seattle Sounders (MLS) from 2011-2014
· Club rookie Sam McBride made his first appearance and first start for the club after joining from Elon University…McBride, along with Miguel Salazar and Austin Dunker are former Elon products who played under Darren Powell during his time there.
