The setting was familiar. San Antonio FC was opening their 2018 USL regular season in Sacramento against Republic FC, in what was the start of the third campaign for the club that was founded just prior to the start of the 2016 season. Just like the year before, on March 17 of this year in Sacramento, defender Greg Cochrane was starting at left-back. Like he had 67 times in all competitions prior to the start of 2018, Cochrane was making his first appearance of the year and, along with his team, pushing for an equalizing goal. San Antonio was down 1-2 to Sacramento in the late stages of the match. With most of the SAFC players pressed forward looking for the tying strike, Sacramento found themselves launched on a dangerous counterattack. The only hope for SAFC to not concede a third goal was Cochrane. The speedy defender went toe to toe with a Republic attacker and unsurprisingly cleared the danger. However, after that sprint, on his next foray forward, he pulled up. This time, it was something San Antonio FC fans were not used to seeing. Cochrane exited the game seconds later due to injury.
The setting was familiar. San Antonio FC was opening their 2018 USL regular season in Sacramento against Republic FC, in what was the start of the third campaign for the club that was founded just prior to the start of the 2016 season. Just like the year before, on March 17 of this year in Sacramento, defender Greg Cochrane was starting at left-back. Like he had 67 times in all competitions prior to the start of 2018, Cochrane was making his first appearance of the year and, along with his team, pushing for an equalizing goal. San Antonio was down 1-2 to Sacramento in the late stages of the match. With most of the SAFC players pressed forward looking for the tying strike, Sacramento found themselves launched on a dangerous counterattack. The only hope for SAFC to not concede a third goal was Cochrane. The speedy defender went toe to toe with a Republic attacker and unsurprisingly cleared the danger. However, after that sprint, on his next foray forward, he pulled up. This time, it was something San Antonio FC fans were not used to seeing. Cochrane exited the game seconds later due to injury.
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The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “Iron Man” as “a man of unusual physical endurance”. It is only appropriate that this moniker has been attached to Cochrane by San Antonio FC fans, seeing as how he is the SAFC all-time leader in games and minutes, and has also appeared in 92.6 percent of all San Antonio FC competitive minutes since the club’s inception in 2016. This past Saturday against the Seattle Sounders 2, Cochrane became the first SAFC player to appear in 100 matches in all competitions.
Cochrane has embraced the nickname with a smile, both because he has earned the affection of the SAFC faithful and because of the laughter that comes with it from his wife, Emile. Emile laughs because while Cochrane is known as the ‘Iron Man’ of San Antonio FC, she actually has completed the Iron Man competition series as an impressive athlete herself.
“The nickname is funny,” said Cochrane. “You roll with it and don’t look too much into it to be honest. The funny thing is that my wife is a legitimate iron man, so she likes to remind me of that. As a defender, my name rarely shows up on the stat sheet and it’s been that way my whole life. To be known for something different than goals and assists on the field and have people realize it and appreciate it is what makes it special to me.”
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The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “Iron Man” as “a man of unusual physical endurance”. It is only appropriate that this moniker has been attached to Cochrane by San Antonio FC fans, seeing as how he is the SAFC all-time leader in games and minutes, and has also appeared in 92.6 percent of all San Antonio FC competitive minutes since the club’s inception in 2016. This past Saturday against the Seattle Sounders 2, Cochrane became the first SAFC player to appear in 100 matches in all competitions.
Cochrane has embraced the nickname with a smile, both because he has earned the affection of the SAFC faithful and because of the laughter that comes with it from his wife, Emile. Emile laughs because while Cochrane is known as the ‘Iron Man’ of San Antonio FC, she actually has completed the Iron Man competition series as an impressive athlete herself.
“The nickname is funny,” said Cochrane. “You roll with it and don’t look too much into it to be honest. The funny thing is that my wife is a legitimate iron man, so she likes to remind me of that. As a defender, my name rarely shows up on the stat sheet and it’s been that way my whole life. To be known for something different than goals and assists on the field and have people realize it and appreciate it is what makes it special to me.”
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The road to becoming the SAFC ‘Iron Man’ began perhaps in a way that Cochrane didn’t originally envision. After three seasons in MLS with the LA Galaxy – who drafted Cochrane in 2013 – and the Chicago Fire, Cochrane found himself out of contract and without a club. Exploring all options, the left-footed defender settled on a trial with Swedish club Falkenbergs FF. While deciding the right move for his future, his wife Emile ultimately helped convince him to travel overseas and give it a shot.
While Cochrane labels his short time in Sweden as a good experience, he returned to the United States still out of contract and looking for a club. He was contacted by San Antonio FC and Head Coach Darren Powell just days after the start of San Antonio’s first-ever training camp since the USL expanded to the Alamo City just a month earlier. Cochrane signed with SAFC and linked up with his new coaching staff and teammates to embark on a new season and new journey in his soccer career.
“I’m super grateful for San Antonio opening their doors three years ago,” said Cochrane. “I was in a space where it could have been the end because I couldn’t find a team. Luckily enough Darren [Powell] gave me the opportunity to come in and fight for a spot. Being given that opportunity is something that I didn’t take for granted and I was going to do everything I could to prove that I could hack it in the professional ranks.”
“Looking back this probably isn’t what I planned. The initial goal was to come to San Antonio in 2016 and do everything I could to improve personally while giving my all for the club and helping this team try and win a championship. My end goal at the time was to get back into MLS, but things change. I am super happy that I have been able to stay at a club like this that really values what I can do and who I am as a player and a person.”
Cochrane made his debut on April 3, 2016 on the road against the Seattle Sounders 2 in the team’s first-ever match. He recorded the first assist in San Antonio FC history and helped his team earn a 3-0 victory in the game. His next match would go down as one of his favorite memories in a San Antonio FC kit. The 2016 San Antonio FC home opener against the Swope Park Rangers on April 9 boasted the largest crowd in Toyota Field history. 8,466 fans watched the new USL club earn a hard-fought point in a 1-1 draw, and Cochrane won’t soon forget the first game he played in San Antonio.
“It was our very first home game of 2016 and we were a brand-new club that was put together in, like, six weeks,” Cochrane said. “To show up that day to a sellout crowd was such an incredible experience, as was seeing that the city was going to have our backs every match. You could see what the front office and coaching staff did to put it all together in such a short time. Even though I had only been there for a short while at that point, you could see that this club was going to be something special.”
Cochrane would go on to appear in San Antonio’s first 42 competitive matches before finally missing his first game after being rested in a U.S. Open Cup second-round match on the road to the Houston Dutch Lions on May 17, 2017.
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The road to becoming the SAFC ‘Iron Man’ began perhaps in a way that Cochrane didn’t originally envision. After three seasons in MLS with the LA Galaxy – who drafted Cochrane in 2013 – and the Chicago Fire, Cochrane found himself out of contract and without a club. Exploring all options, the left-footed defender settled on a trial with Swedish club Falkenbergs FF. While deciding the right move for his future, his wife Emile ultimately helped convince him to travel overseas and give it a shot.
While Cochrane labels his short time in Sweden as a good experience, he returned to the United States still out of contract and looking for a club. He was contacted by San Antonio FC and Head Coach Darren Powell just days after the start of San Antonio’s first-ever training camp since the USL expanded to the Alamo City just a month earlier. Cochrane signed with SAFC and linked up with his new coaching staff and teammates to embark on a new season and new journey in his soccer career.
“I’m super grateful for San Antonio opening their doors three years ago,” said Cochrane. “I was in a space where it could have been the end because I couldn’t find a team. Luckily enough Darren [Powell] gave me the opportunity to come in and fight for a spot. Being given that opportunity is something that I didn’t take for granted and I was going to do everything I could to prove that I could hack it in the professional ranks.”
“Looking back this probably isn’t what I planned. The initial goal was to come to San Antonio in 2016 and do everything I could to improve personally while giving my all for the club and helping this team try and win a championship. My end goal at the time was to get back into MLS, but things change. I am super happy that I have been able to stay at a club like this that really values what I can do and who I am as a player and a person.”
Cochrane made his debut on April 3, 2016 on the road against the Seattle Sounders 2 in the team’s first-ever match. He recorded the first assist in San Antonio FC history and helped his team earn a 3-0 victory in the game. His next match would go down as one of his favorite memories in a San Antonio FC kit. The 2016 San Antonio FC home opener against the Swope Park Rangers on April 9 boasted the largest crowd in Toyota Field history. 8,466 fans watched the new USL club earn a hard-fought point in a 1-1 draw, and Cochrane won’t soon forget the first game he played in San Antonio.
“It was our very first home game of 2016 and we were a brand-new club that was put together in, like, six weeks,” Cochrane said. “To show up that day to a sellout crowd was such an incredible experience, as was seeing that the city was going to have our backs every match. You could see what the front office and coaching staff did to put it all together in such a short time. Even though I had only been there for a short while at that point, you could see that this club was going to be something special.”
Cochrane would go on to appear in San Antonio’s first 42 competitive matches before finally missing his first game after being rested in a U.S. Open Cup second-round match on the road to the Houston Dutch Lions on May 17, 2017.
Growing up outside of Philadelphia, Cochrane always felt underestimated as he climbed the youth soccer ranks before attending college and playing soccer at Virginia Tech and Louisville. He credits the support of his family from his first days with a ball that helped spur him into a career. Cochrane noticed the confidence and self-belief began to come naturally, especially after seeing and feeling the belief and support from his parents and siblings.
“I can’t say enough about my family,” he said. “My parents, my sisters and my brother have supported and pushed me to go after my dreams and my goals since day one. It wasn’t always easy. I’ve been cut from teams, I wasn’t playing on others, but they helped me see through the tough times. My parents had my back before I had my own. I’m forever grateful to them for all the sacrifices they made. I can never thank them enough.”
“My brother was a year older than me. I looked up to him and always wanted to do what he did, which unsurprisingly included soccer. And my sisters were my biggest cheerleaders; they rarely missed any of my games. I wouldn’t be anywhere without my family.”
Growing up outside of Philadelphia, Cochrane always felt underestimated as he climbed the youth soccer ranks before attending college and playing soccer at Virginia Tech and Louisville. He credits the support of his family from his first days with a ball that helped spur him into a career. Cochrane noticed the confidence and self-belief began to come naturally, especially after seeing and feeling the belief and support from his parents and siblings.
“I can’t say enough about my family,” he said. “My parents, my sisters and my brother have supported and pushed me to go after my dreams and my goals since day one. It wasn’t always easy. I’ve been cut from teams, I wasn’t playing on others, but they helped me see through the tough times. My parents had my back before I had my own. I’m forever grateful to them for all the sacrifices they made. I can never thank them enough.”
“My brother was a year older than me. I looked up to him and always wanted to do what he did, which unsurprisingly included soccer. And my sisters were my biggest cheerleaders; they rarely missed any of my games. I wouldn’t be anywhere without my family.”
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Cochrane’s San Antonio FC career continued like it had started. He was playing nearly every minute while contributing on both sides of the ball. In both of his first two seasons, he led San Antonio in appearances and minutes played while ranking second in assists. In 2017, Cochrane along with the rest of the SAFC roster, recorded the league’s best defense. The team recorded the fewest losses in the USL (four) while posting a league-high 15 clean sheets and conceding a league-low 24 goals. The Alamo City club would go on to finish second in the USL Western Conference, earning their first playoff berth in franchise history. Cochrane was present through it all, starting all but one league match due to suspension, and recording 2,782 minutes played.
Though he has no regrets in his time with SAFC, Cochrane recognizes the chance his club had to potentially bring a first trophy to the club in 2017. The squad finished an impressive season under Powell that ended in a Western Conference Semifinal loss to OKC Energy FC in penalty kicks.
“In 2017, we felt we had a team capable of winning the final. Penalty kicks are cruel way to go out, but that’s the game sometimes and it’s never easy to win in this league.”
However, Cochrane and the city of San Antonio have plenty of incredible memories from the 2017 season. One of those is the first playoff match in team history. The club hosted the Tulsa Roughnecks at Toyota Field and earned a 2-1 win after scoring a goal deep into stoppage time. The game will go down as one of Cochrane’s favorites with the club not only because of what it meant, but also because of how happy it made the SAFC fans.
“Scoring the winning goal in the 90th minute in front of our extremely passionate fans created one of the loudest atmospheres I have ever been a part of. I will always remember the significance of the game and seeing how happy everybody was. It’s a powerful thing when playing on the field puts smiles on people’s faces. Yes, it’s a business where you have to win, but the rewards are magnified when you’re sending a lot of people home happy, too.”
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Cochrane’s San Antonio FC career continued like it had started. He was playing nearly every minute while contributing on both sides of the ball. In both of his first two seasons, he led San Antonio in appearances and minutes played while ranking second in assists. In 2017, Cochrane along with the rest of the SAFC roster, recorded the league’s best defense. The team recorded the fewest losses in the USL (four) while posting a league-high 15 clean sheets and conceding a league-low 24 goals. The Alamo City club would go on to finish second in the USL Western Conference, earning their first playoff berth in franchise history. Cochrane was present through it all, starting all but one league match due to suspension, and recording 2,782 minutes played.
Though he has no regrets in his time with SAFC, Cochrane recognizes the chance his club had to potentially bring a first trophy to the club in 2017. The squad finished an impressive season under Powell that ended in a Western Conference Semifinal loss to OKC Energy FC in penalty kicks.
“In 2017, we felt we had a team capable of winning the final. Penalty kicks are cruel way to go out, but that’s the game sometimes and it’s never easy to win in this league.”
However, Cochrane and the city of San Antonio have plenty of incredible memories from the 2017 season. One of those is the first playoff match in team history. The club hosted the Tulsa Roughnecks at Toyota Field and earned a 2-1 win after scoring a goal deep into stoppage time. The game will go down as one of Cochrane’s favorites with the club not only because of what it meant, but also because of how happy it made the SAFC fans.
“Scoring the winning goal in the 90th minute in front of our extremely passionate fans created one of the loudest atmospheres I have ever been a part of. I will always remember the significance of the game and seeing how happy everybody was. It’s a powerful thing when playing on the field puts smiles on people’s faces. Yes, it’s a business where you have to win, but the rewards are magnified when you’re sending a lot of people home happy, too.”
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Going back to that chilly night in Sacramento, San Antonio fans had to come to terms with not seeing a familiar face in the lineup in the coming weeks. Following the match against the Republic, Cochrane missed his first action due to injury since joining the club. It was the first time he had ever missed back-to-back matches. However as one may expect, since missing those two matches in March, Cochrane has appeared in every single SAFC match and has started and played 90 minutes in all but one of them. Because of the level of consistency he has displayed, Cochrane was able to reach the 100-appearance mark before any other San Antonio player. His 100th coincidentally came against the same team that his first did – Seattle Sounders FC 2.
“It’s definitely special to be the first,” he said as he smiled. “Anytime you can be the first in anything it’s always something that’s special and that you can look back on. It was never my goal to go out there and be the first to 100 appearances. Obviously, you’re going to go play and help the team anyway you can and as play as much as you can to keep improving, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t proud of this moment. To hit a milestone like that for this club that has given me so much these three years is so special. I hope I have been able to give back just a little.”
“You play this game your whole life, but to be able to play that many games in one place, especially in the professional ranks — where it’s such a volatile industry – is unreal. The coach might not want you, you can get traded. You think ‘wow I have been here for 100 games’, but it’s special to be in a place that long that you feel welcomed and where they cherish what you bring to the table. To be able to hit that milestone is something I am going to look back upon and be super happy about.”
When asked what attributes it takes as a player to record 100 appearances in less than three full seasons, Cochrane barely hesitated before answering “luck” with a smile. Luck, amongst other key attributes, were twisted and turned into a recipe for success and consistency with San Antonio FC. As a player you can prepare yourself every day, but you still might not get your chance on the field. Different circumstances in different rosters can always make it difficult for players to find their footing, especially right away.
Cochrane made sure he was ready for his chance, whether it came right away or later in his SAFC career. He stayed disciplined on and off the field, prepared his body correctly and followed the advice of the team staff and coaches. His dedication has thus far paid off.
“You really do need a little bit of luck,” he said. “In terms of staying healthy and the coaches believing in you. It goes back to having a routine and being consistent in your routine. You show up every day and push yourself to get better. If you have that mindset to always take steps to get better, you’re going to put yourself in a position to keep improving and give yourself better chances to play on the field.”
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Going back to that chilly night in Sacramento, San Antonio fans had to come to terms with not seeing a familiar face in the lineup in the coming weeks. Following the match against the Republic, Cochrane missed his first action due to injury since joining the club. It was the first time he had ever missed back-to-back matches. However as one may expect, since missing those two matches in March, Cochrane has appeared in every single SAFC match and has started and played 90 minutes in all but one of them. Because of the level of consistency he has displayed, Cochrane was able to reach the 100-appearance mark before any other San Antonio player. His 100th coincidentally came against the same team that his first did – Seattle Sounders FC 2.
“It’s definitely special to be the first,” he said as he smiled. “Anytime you can be the first in anything it’s always something that’s special and that you can look back on. It was never my goal to go out there and be the first to 100 appearances. Obviously, you’re going to go play and help the team anyway you can and as play as much as you can to keep improving, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t proud of this moment. To hit a milestone like that for this club that has given me so much these three years is so special. I hope I have been able to give back just a little.”
“You play this game your whole life, but to be able to play that many games in one place, especially in the professional ranks — where it’s such a volatile industry – is unreal. The coach might not want you, you can get traded. You think ‘wow I have been here for 100 games’, but it’s special to be in a place that long that you feel welcomed and where they cherish what you bring to the table. To be able to hit that milestone is something I am going to look back upon and be super happy about.”
When asked what attributes it takes as a player to record 100 appearances in less than three full seasons, Cochrane barely hesitated before answering “luck” with a smile. Luck, amongst other key attributes, were twisted and turned into a recipe for success and consistency with San Antonio FC. As a player you can prepare yourself every day, but you still might not get your chance on the field. Different circumstances in different rosters can always make it difficult for players to find their footing, especially right away.
Cochrane made sure he was ready for his chance, whether it came right away or later in his SAFC career. He stayed disciplined on and off the field, prepared his body correctly and followed the advice of the team staff and coaches. His dedication has thus far paid off.
“You really do need a little bit of luck,” he said. “In terms of staying healthy and the coaches believing in you. It goes back to having a routine and being consistent in your routine. You show up every day and push yourself to get better. If you have that mindset to always take steps to get better, you’re going to put yourself in a position to keep improving and give yourself better chances to play on the field.”
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“That’s a lot of minutes.” Cochrane says as he hears the number out loud. 8,760 minutes in all competitions. 100 total matches – 91 regular season games, two USL playoff matches and seven Open Cup tilts. In his first three professional seasons – all in Major League Soccer – Cochrane’s total MLS minutes don’t even match his total from his first season in San Antonio. He realizes he’s played over 92 percent of San Antonio’s total competitive minutes in club history, and all he can say is he honestly wishes it was 100 percent.
Cochrane makes it a point to deflect accolades and honors and continually bring up the support of his teammates and coaches. He makes a special case for one teammate, but not one on the field. His wife Emile. Without her, he says, 100 matches in San Antonio wouldn’t have been possible. Without her, his professional career would be nowhere near where it is now.
“I can’t say enough about my wife,” he says. “She’s followed me all over the place. She’s been the best in terms of supporting me to go after my goals and what I want to accomplish. I wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything in soccer without my wife. She’s always been there. If it wasn’t for Emile I would never have reached this milestone.”
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“That’s a lot of minutes.” Cochrane says as he hears the number out loud. 8,760 minutes in all competitions. 100 total matches – 91 regular season games, two USL playoff matches and seven Open Cup tilts. In his first three professional seasons – all in Major League Soccer – Cochrane’s total MLS minutes don’t even match his total from his first season in San Antonio. He realizes he’s played over 92 percent of San Antonio’s total competitive minutes in club history, and all he can say is he honestly wishes it was 100 percent.
Cochrane makes it a point to deflect accolades and honors and continually bring up the support of his teammates and coaches. He makes a special case for one teammate, but not one on the field. His wife Emile. Without her, he says, 100 matches in San Antonio wouldn’t have been possible. Without her, his professional career would be nowhere near where it is now.
“I can’t say enough about my wife,” he says. “She’s followed me all over the place. She’s been the best in terms of supporting me to go after my goals and what I want to accomplish. I wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything in soccer without my wife. She’s always been there. If it wasn’t for Emile I would never have reached this milestone.”
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With 100 matches under his belt, Cochrane and San Antonio still have everything to play for in 2018 as the club continues to fight together to earn a playoff spot. Wins in their next two matches along with help around the conference could put them in pole position to make the postseason in back to back seasons. Cochrane knows that the team must control what they can and focus together to go out and get results to close out the regular season.
“We can’t worry about the other results because we have zero impact on what happens in those games,” he said. “For us to try and get to the playoffs, we have two games left and we need to win these two games. We start by focusing on Saturday, and if we keep winning its going to put pressure on other teams to have to get results. That’s all we can control right now, so that’s where our focus is.”
Whatever the rest of the season brings, one thing will remain the same. Cochrane will always be a lasting part of San Antonio FC. He started as one of the original team members and worked his way through 100 appearances on the field while consistently being a brand ambassador off of it. Whether it is appearances in the media or community, Cochrane represents the crest as well as he did while bombing up and down the left-side of the pitch.
For everything that Cochrane has given San Antonio FC, he always insists the club has given him more. SAFC is now a part of his life – his story.
“The coolest thing is that you’re a part of something that’s bigger than yourself,” he says. “It’s been an incredible journey to see the club grow from day one to where it is now now in terms of the first team, the academy and the fan support, which if anything has increased. Looking at how the front office does everything it can to fill the stadium, take care of the players and how the coaches treat us. It turns into a big family.”
“They do an incredible job of bringing in talented people and really good characters. When you put good people together is when you can create memorable and magical moments for the club and the city. Being a small piece of that is something that I have always cherished and looked upon fondly. It’s been an incredible experience to be here for these three years.”
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With 100 matches under his belt, Cochrane and San Antonio still have everything to play for in 2018 as the club continues to fight together to earn a playoff spot. Wins in their next two matches along with help around the conference could put them in pole position to make the postseason in back to back seasons. Cochrane knows that the team must control what they can and focus together to go out and get results to close out the regular season.
“We can’t worry about the other results because we have zero impact on what happens in those games,” he said. “For us to try and get to the playoffs, we have two games left and we need to win these two games. We start by focusing on Saturday, and if we keep winning its going to put pressure on other teams to have to get results. That’s all we can control right now, so that’s where our focus is.”
Whatever the rest of the season brings, one thing will remain the same. Cochrane will always be a lasting part of San Antonio FC. He started as one of the original team members and worked his way through 100 appearances on the field while consistently being a brand ambassador off of it. Whether it is appearances in the media or community, Cochrane represents the crest as well as he did while bombing up and down the left-side of the pitch.
For everything that Cochrane has given San Antonio FC, he always insists the club has given him more. SAFC is now a part of his life – his story.
“The coolest thing is that you’re a part of something that’s bigger than yourself,” he says. “It’s been an incredible journey to see the club grow from day one to where it is now now in terms of the first team, the academy and the fan support, which if anything has increased. Looking at how the front office does everything it can to fill the stadium, take care of the players and how the coaches treat us. It turns into a big family.”
“They do an incredible job of bringing in talented people and really good characters. When you put good people together is when you can create memorable and magical moments for the club and the city. Being a small piece of that is something that I have always cherished and looked upon fondly. It’s been an incredible experience to be here for these three years.”
