The first game week of a season always has a familiar feeling. There is more excitement in the air than usual, the training sessions seem slightly more adrenaline-filled and Toyota Field begins to look more and more ready to welcome a big crowd. The start of a new season brings renewed optimism and an opportunity to begin the steps that lead to accomplishing team and individual goals. San Antonio FC entered this week after a grueling preseason that saw them play two MLS teams and three rival USL Championship squads. The goals are set, the culture is built, and the players are eager to kick-off the games that matter.
It starts this Saturday against the reigning champion Real Monarchs SLC. The Monarchs took a momentum-laden playoff run all the way to the end where they beat Louisville City FC in the final, earning the first major trophy for the Real Salt Lake affiliate. San Antonio FC is no stranger to tough opening matches. In 2016, SAFC faced the Swope Park Rangers in their home opener – the Rangers would go on to make the championship game that season. In 2017 and 2018 SAFC hosted LA Galaxy II and Saint Louis FC respectively, before welcoming Phoenix Rising FC to Toyota Field in 2019 a season after the Arizona club were crowned Western Conference champions. Despite the tough foes, SAFC has never lost a home opener and the club isn’t looking to make that a first this weekend.
The first game week of a season always has a familiar feeling. There is more excitement in the air than usual, the training sessions seem slightly more adrenaline-filled and Toyota Field begins to look more and more ready to welcome a big crowd. The start of a new season brings renewed optimism and an opportunity to begin the steps that lead to accomplishing team and individual goals. San Antonio FC entered this week after a grueling preseason that saw them play two MLS teams and three rival USL Championship squads. The goals are set, the culture is built, and the players are eager to kick-off the games that matter.
It starts this Saturday against the reigning champion Real Monarchs SLC. The Monarchs took a momentum-laden playoff run all the way to the end where they beat Louisville City FC in the final, earning the first major trophy for the Real Salt Lake affiliate. San Antonio FC is no stranger to tough opening matches. In 2016, SAFC faced the Swope Park Rangers in their home opener – the Rangers would go on to make the championship game that season. In 2017 and 2018 SAFC hosted LA Galaxy II and Saint Louis FC respectively, before welcoming Phoenix Rising FC to Toyota Field in 2019 a season after the Arizona club were crowned Western Conference champions. Despite the tough foes, SAFC has never lost a home opener and the club isn’t looking to make that a first this weekend.
“We are excited about the work that’s been put in as a collective in preseason,” said SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina. “Players have done fantastic job buying into the culture and creating a team identity. I think we’ve created a strong foundation moving forward, and we are excited to take on the reigning champions this Saturday.”
Its no secret that the team underwent a bit of an identity change on the field over this past offseason. SAFC mutually parted ways with the only coach its ever known in Darren Powell before hiring Marcina in December. Marcina took the job with an impressive pedigree that included a championship in San Antonio with the Scorpions in the NASL in 2014. With the change, the roster organically started to look different that in 2019 with the club bringing back just seven players – Eby Ackon, Matthew Cardone, Joshua Yaro, Cristian Parano, Jose Gallegos, Leo Torres and Kai Greene. The influx of new talent is a positive however, as Marcina implements his tactics and team identity to his team which they will in turn implement on the field.
One of those new players is experienced forward Luis Solignac. The Argentinian comes to SAFC from MLS where he had spells with two different teams – the Chicago Fire and the Colorado Rapids. Solignac is one of three players, along with Joshua Yaro and Hunter Gorskie, to be named a team captain for SAFC, and the forward has brought his leadership skills to the club both on and off the field.
“We are excited about the work that’s been put in as a collective in preseason,” said SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina. “Players have done fantastic job buying into the culture and creating a team identity. I think we’ve created a strong foundation moving forward, and we are excited to take on the reigning champions this Saturday.”
Its no secret that the team underwent a bit of an identity change on the field over this past offseason. SAFC mutually parted ways with the only coach its ever known in Darren Powell before hiring Marcina in December. Marcina took the job with an impressive pedigree that included a championship in San Antonio with the Scorpions in the NASL in 2014. With the change, the roster organically started to look different that in 2019 with the club bringing back just seven players – Eby Ackon, Matthew Cardone, Joshua Yaro, Cristian Parano, Jose Gallegos, Leo Torres and Kai Greene. The influx of new talent is a positive however, as Marcina implements his tactics and team identity to his team which they will in turn implement on the field.
One of those new players is experienced forward Luis Solignac. The Argentinian comes to SAFC from MLS where he had spells with two different teams – the Chicago Fire and the Colorado Rapids. Solignac is one of three players, along with Joshua Yaro and Hunter Gorskie, to be named a team captain for SAFC, and the forward has brought his leadership skills to the club both on and off the field.
Like the rest of his teammates, Solignac recognizes how important preseason is, but notes that this weekend is what being a professional soccer player is actually all about.
“Every player plays for this,” said Solignac. “Preseason is something we have to go through to get to this point, so we are very excited. We had a great preseason and we are focused about opening up in front of our fans.”
The regular season just hits different. When the points are there to play for, each club starts fresh with the same optimism as the next. Marcina loves every part of it. He particularly is excited and grateful that the club begins at home in front of what he calls “the most passionate fans in the USL Championship.” He mentions how important it is to make a great first impression and “put on a show for the fans”. With that said, the club is focused on and prepared for the Monarchs to come to town.
Like the rest of his teammates, Solignac recognizes how important preseason is, but notes that this weekend is what being a professional soccer player is actually all about.
“Every player plays for this,” said Solignac. “Preseason is something we have to go through to get to this point, so we are very excited. We had a great preseason and we are focused about opening up in front of our fans.”
The regular season just hits different. When the points are there to play for, each club starts fresh with the same optimism as the next. Marcina loves every part of it. He particularly is excited and grateful that the club begins at home in front of what he calls “the most passionate fans in the USL Championship.” He mentions how important it is to make a great first impression and “put on a show for the fans”. With that said, the club is focused on and prepared for the Monarchs to come to town.
Everyone knows the importance of getting off to a good start in league play, but Marcina, his staff and the SAFC players look at it a little differently. They truly take it one game at a time, one opponent at a time, three points at a time.
“We take it all game-by-game,” said Marcina. “It’s a 34-game season. Our focus is on Saturday against the Monarchs and nothing past that. It’s the reigning champions so we have to respect that, and at the same time impose our identity in the game.”
Solignac mentions that the team culture has really come together since the players arrived in January. The group has met together multiple times with and without staff to continue to improve their relationship building. Along with his strong play up top, Solignac’s experience has made a difference so far especially on the younger players in the locker room. His fellow countrymen Gonzalo Di Renzo and Ignacio Bailone have made their way here, and both now have a natural person to learn from in addition to the rest of the roster.
Everyone knows the importance of getting off to a good start in league play, but Marcina, his staff and the SAFC players look at it a little differently. They truly take it one game at a time, one opponent at a time, three points at a time.
“We take it all game-by-game,” said Marcina. “It’s a 34-game season. Our focus is on Saturday against the Monarchs and nothing past that. It’s the reigning champions so we have to respect that, and at the same time impose our identity in the game.”
Solignac mentions that the team culture has really come together since the players arrived in January. The group has met together multiple times with and without staff to continue to improve their relationship building. Along with his strong play up top, Solignac’s experience has made a difference so far especially on the younger players in the locker room. His fellow countrymen Gonzalo Di Renzo and Ignacio Bailone have made their way here, and both now have a natural person to learn from in addition to the rest of the roster.
“Lucho” as Solignac is called thinks the fans will sense on Saturday that the chemistry between the players is at a terrific place. Either way, he – along with his teammates – are ready to get going for the club and the city. He is excited to see Toyota Field and the atmosphere that he has already heard about through the grapevine.
“That’s all I’ve heard since I’ve been here,” said Solignac about the fans and atmosphere at Toyota Field. “The stadium and the grass look really great, so hopefully we have a lot of fans supporting us and we can give them a win on Saturday.”
“Lucho” as Solignac is called thinks the fans will sense on Saturday that the chemistry between the players is at a terrific place. Either way, he – along with his teammates – are ready to get going for the club and the city. He is excited to see Toyota Field and the atmosphere that he has already heard about through the grapevine.
“That’s all I’ve heard since I’ve been here,” said Solignac about the fans and atmosphere at Toyota Field. “The stadium and the grass look really great, so hopefully we have a lot of fans supporting us and we can give them a win on Saturday.”
