San Antonio FC announced yesterday that forward Cesar Elizondo will return to the club for the 2017 USL season. The Costa Rican joined the club in July, halfway through the team’s inaugural campaign, and scored two goals and recorded one assist. Elizondo now looks forward to a full season with the team, and has big expectations for the club in its second season.
“Any time I start a new season all I think about is the championship,” Elizondo said. “I’m very motivated now that I know I’ll be playing a full season with the team, and I’m actually already preparing myself to be at 100 percent and give my best.”
SAFC finished their inaugural season in 10th place despite having to put together a squad and improvise a preseason campaign in just a few months between the time the expansion side was announced and their first match of the season. Elizondo gives credit to Head Coach Darren Powell for the team’s accomplishments in 2016, and is confident that under Powell’s guidance, the team will achieve great things next season.
“Coach Darren is great at managing the team in difficult times,” Elizondo said. “He showed that last season when we faced inconveniences like injuries and the short time to prepare before the season. This team is on to great things in 2017, we will take advantage of our time to prepare and the difference will be noticeable.”
Elizondo has played for several quality clubs throughout his career. In Costa Rica, he played for Saprissa and Perez Zeledon, two well-respected clubs in the country’s top flight. He then moved to the United States in 2013, where he experienced the American game in the NASL with the Carolina Railhawks and the now-defunct San Antonio Scorpions.
After a brief second stint with Perez Zeledon, Elizondo returned to the USA to join San Antonio FC, an organization in which he saw potential to thrive since day one due to its managing staff and an outstanding ownership group in Spurs Sports & Entertainment.
“SAFC impressed me since the day I arrived,” Elizondo said. “The entire staff headed by Tim Holt has given us everything we need to be ready for every match, and that fact that we’re backed by SS&E, an elite sports organization, makes it a huge responsibility that requires our full efforts and dedication day in and day out.”
Much like with his new club, Elizondo was pleased to find a competitive league in the USL, a growing league with highly competitive teams, passionate fans, and ambitious clubs and fans that were different to the soccer culture he grew up with in Costa Rica.
“American soccer can be very versatile,” Elizondo said. “There are different styles of play, environments, weather, and fans. All these things make the sport vary a lot and the USL is no exception. The league is very competitive and those variations make it even more difficult.”
Elizondo has had the opportunity to represent the Alamo City with two different clubs, and has grown to be a fan-favorite in the city, an affection that he is grateful for and that has helped him establish himself to find a new home in San Antonio and SAFC, a city and team for which he is looking forward to excel.
“San Antonio is my home and I feel like I’ve been here my whole life,” Elizondo said. “I love the people, the culture, and the city. I hope I can be here for many years to come. I want to thank the fans for all the love they have given me through the years. I’ve felt their affection since I arrived at the club and that motivates me to do my best. I’m ready to give my all in 2017 so that we’ll be able to share many happy moments at Toyota Field.”
San Antonio FC announced yesterday that forward Cesar Elizondo will return to the club for the 2017 USL season. The Costa Rican joined the club in July, halfway through the team’s inaugural campaign, and scored two goals and recorded one assist. Elizondo now looks forward to a full season with the team, and has big expectations for the club in its second season.
“Any time I start a new season all I think about is the championship,” Elizondo said. “I’m very motivated now that I know I’ll be playing a full season with the team, and I’m actually already preparing myself to be at 100 percent and give my best.”
SAFC finished their inaugural season in 10th place despite having to put together a squad and improvise a preseason campaign in just a few months between the time the expansion side was announced and their first match of the season. Elizondo gives credit to Head Coach Darren Powell for the team’s accomplishments in 2016, and is confident that under Powell’s guidance, the team will achieve great things next season.
“Coach Darren is great at managing the team in difficult times,” Elizondo said. “He showed that last season when we faced inconveniences like injuries and the short time to prepare before the season. This team is on to great things in 2017, we will take advantage of our time to prepare and the difference will be noticeable.”
Elizondo has played for several quality clubs throughout his career. In Costa Rica, he played for Saprissa and Perez Zeledon, two well-respected clubs in the country’s top flight. He then moved to the United States in 2013, where he experienced the American game in the NASL with the Carolina Railhawks and the now-defunct San Antonio Scorpions.
After a brief second stint with Perez Zeledon, Elizondo returned to the USA to join San Antonio FC, an organization in which he saw potential to thrive since day one due to its managing staff and an outstanding ownership group in Spurs Sports & Entertainment.
“SAFC impressed me since the day I arrived,” Elizondo said. “The entire staff headed by Tim Holt has given us everything we need to be ready for every match, and that fact that we’re backed by SS&E, an elite sports organization, makes it a huge responsibility that requires our full efforts and dedication day in and day out.”
Much like with his new club, Elizondo was pleased to find a competitive league in the USL, a growing league with highly competitive teams, passionate fans, and ambitious clubs and fans that were different to the soccer culture he grew up with in Costa Rica.
“American soccer can be very versatile,” Elizondo said. “There are different styles of play, environments, weather, and fans. All these things make the sport vary a lot and the USL is no exception. The league is very competitive and those variations make it even more difficult.”
Elizondo has had the opportunity to represent the Alamo City with two different clubs, and has grown to be a fan-favorite in the city, an affection that he is grateful for and that has helped him establish himself to find a new home in San Antonio and SAFC, a city and team for which he is looking forward to excel.
“San Antonio is my home and I feel like I’ve been here my whole life,” Elizondo said. “I love the people, the culture, and the city. I hope I can be here for many years to come. I want to thank the fans for all the love they have given me through the years. I’ve felt their affection since I arrived at the club and that motivates me to do my best. I’m ready to give my all in 2017 so that we’ll be able to share many happy moments at Toyota Field.”
