San Antonio FC fell 3-2 against Rio Grande Valley FC at Toyota Field on Saturday in the first encounter between the two Texas rivals. Goals from Manolo Sanchez and Shawn Chin erased a two-goal deficit, but were not enough to get points at home.
“I think there’s a lot to learn from, and now we’ll go back to training next week and move on,” said SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell. “We have to get ready for the next match and show some signs of improvement.”
The first goal of the match came halfway through the second 45, when a turnover in the SAFC defense left the ball positioned just right for RGV forward Rob Lovejoy, who capitalized on a one-on-one against goalkeeper Matt Cardone.
RGV FC widened their lead just three minutes later with a goal from forward Mauro Manotas after Leo Ayala’s pass found him in front of goal.
San Antonio FC managed an impressive comeback that started in the 79th minute, when forward Manolo Sanchez scored his first goal for the club from point blank range after an aerial through-ball from Greg Cochrane.
Five minutes later, Shawn Chin scored the equalizer off a loose ball in the box, putting the score level at 2-2. The forward has scored two goals in just two starts for SAFC this season.
The visitors tallied the winner in stoppage time when Lovejoy intercepted a pass and took the ball all the way to goal before scoring.
SAFC defender Biko Bradnock-Brennan made his first start for the club, while San Antonio native Cardone made his debut and first start for the silver and black.
San Antonio FC will return to action away from home next week when they face Oklahoma City Energy FC at Taft Stadium on Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. The team will look to get three points on the road before returning home the following week to play Energy FC for a second game in a row.
Scoring Summary:
RGVFC: 0-1, Rob Lovejoy ’69 (TJ Casner assist)
RGVFC: 0-2, Mauro Manotas ’72 (Leo Ayala assist)
SAFC: 1-2, Manolo Sanchez ’79 (Greg Cochrane assist)
SAFC: 2-2, Shawn Chin ‘84
RGVFC: 2-3, Rob Lovejoy ‘90
SAFC Starting XI: GK: Matt Cardone; D: Greg Cochrane, Stephen McCarthy Biko Bradnock-Brennan, Bobby Moseley; M: Sebastien Thuriere (Manolo Sanchez ’74), Rafa Castillo (c), Carlos Alvarez (Milton Palacios ’62), Jason Johnson (Danny Garcia ’74), Victor Araujo (Miguel Salazar ’60); F: Shawn Chin
Substitutions Not Used: Lee Johnston, Max Gunderson, Sam McBride
Postgame Notes:
- San Antonio FC lost their first home match of the season, falling to RGVFC 2-3…marked the first of four matchups between the two clubs
- SAFC surrendered a two-goal lead for the first time this season, however the club erased the deficit in the second half, scoring two unanswered goals…the RGVFC winner in stoppage time marked the latest goal given up by SAFC this season
- SAFC defender Biko Bradnock-Brennan made his first start for the club in defense…SAFC goalkeeper Matt Cardone also made his debut, coming in for the injured Josh Ford…Cardone made three saves in 90 minutes
- SAFC forward Shawn Chin scored his second goal in as many games against RGVFC…Chin’s goal equalized the score and helped erase a two-goal deficit…Chin’s two goals this season rank second on the team
- Forward Manolo Sanchez scored his first goal for SAFC in the second half…Sanchez scored four goals for NY Red Bulls 2 last season in 22 appearances
San Antonio FC fell 3-2 against Rio Grande Valley FC at Toyota Field on Saturday in the first encounter between the two Texas rivals. Goals from Manolo Sanchez and Shawn Chin erased a two-goal deficit, but were not enough to get points at home.
“I think there’s a lot to learn from, and now we’ll go back to training next week and move on,” said SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell. “We have to get ready for the next match and show some signs of improvement.”
The first goal of the match came halfway through the second 45, when a turnover in the SAFC defense left the ball positioned just right for RGV forward Rob Lovejoy, who capitalized on a one-on-one against goalkeeper Matt Cardone.
RGV FC widened their lead just three minutes later with a goal from forward Mauro Manotas after Leo Ayala’s pass found him in front of goal.
San Antonio FC managed an impressive comeback that started in the 79th minute, when forward Manolo Sanchez scored his first goal for the club from point blank range after an aerial through-ball from Greg Cochrane.
Five minutes later, Shawn Chin scored the equalizer off a loose ball in the box, putting the score level at 2-2. The forward has scored two goals in just two starts for SAFC this season.
The visitors tallied the winner in stoppage time when Lovejoy intercepted a pass and took the ball all the way to goal before scoring.
SAFC defender Biko Bradnock-Brennan made his first start for the club, while San Antonio native Cardone made his debut and first start for the silver and black.
San Antonio FC will return to action away from home next week when they face Oklahoma City Energy FC at Taft Stadium on Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. The team will look to get three points on the road before returning home the following week to play Energy FC for a second game in a row.
Scoring Summary:
RGVFC: 0-1, Rob Lovejoy ’69 (TJ Casner assist)
RGVFC: 0-2, Mauro Manotas ’72 (Leo Ayala assist)
SAFC: 1-2, Manolo Sanchez ’79 (Greg Cochrane assist)
SAFC: 2-2, Shawn Chin ‘84
RGVFC: 2-3, Rob Lovejoy ‘90
SAFC Starting XI: GK: Matt Cardone; D: Greg Cochrane, Stephen McCarthy Biko Bradnock-Brennan, Bobby Moseley; M: Sebastien Thuriere (Manolo Sanchez ’74), Rafa Castillo (c), Carlos Alvarez (Milton Palacios ’62), Jason Johnson (Danny Garcia ’74), Victor Araujo (Miguel Salazar ’60); F: Shawn Chin
Substitutions Not Used: Lee Johnston, Max Gunderson, Sam McBride
Postgame Notes:
- San Antonio FC lost their first home match of the season, falling to RGVFC 2-3…marked the first of four matchups between the two clubs
- SAFC surrendered a two-goal lead for the first time this season, however the club erased the deficit in the second half, scoring two unanswered goals…the RGVFC winner in stoppage time marked the latest goal given up by SAFC this season
- SAFC defender Biko Bradnock-Brennan made his first start for the club in defense…SAFC goalkeeper Matt Cardone also made his debut, coming in for the injured Josh Ford…Cardone made three saves in 90 minutes
- SAFC forward Shawn Chin scored his second goal in as many games against RGVFC…Chin’s goal equalized the score and helped erase a two-goal deficit…Chin’s two goals this season rank second on the team
- Forward Manolo Sanchez scored his first goal for SAFC in the second half…Sanchez scored four goals for NY Red Bulls 2 last season in 22 appearances