GOALKEEPERS
GOALKEEPERS
Matthew Cardone (37) – The San Antonio native returns for his sixth season with SAFC and is now the only active player who has been with the club since its 2016 inaugural season. Cardone started 11 matches in 2020, making 28 saves and allowing 11 goals in 990 minutes with a 71.8 percent save success rate. Overall in his SAFC career, Cardone has appeared in 80 matches in all competitions and remains the club’s all-time penalty save leader with five. Cardone also holds the joint record for saves in a single match for SAFC after he recorded nine saves at Swope Park Rangers on July 30, 2016. Prior to his time with SAFC, Cardone attended Trinity University and was part of the San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) in 2015.
Matthew Cardone (37) – The San Antonio native returns for his sixth season with SAFC and is now the only active player who has been with the club since its 2016 inaugural season. Cardone started 11 matches in 2020, making 28 saves and allowing 11 goals in 990 minutes with a 71.8 percent save success rate. Overall in his SAFC career, Cardone has appeared in 80 matches in all competitions and remains the club’s all-time penalty save leader with five. Cardone also holds the joint record for saves in a single match for SAFC after he recorded nine saves at Swope Park Rangers on July 30, 2016. Prior to his time with SAFC, Cardone attended Trinity University and was part of the San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) in 2015.
Carlos Mercado (99) – Mercado returns after earning his first professional contract in 2020 following impressive performances in training during the SAFC preseason. The Laredo, TX native featured in 11 match-day squads including the final 10 last season after joining the club from the University of the Incarnate Word. Mercado is a product of the FC Dallas (MLS) academy, while the goalkeeper also played with USL League Two clubs Des Moines Menace and Corpus Christi FC, as well as the Laredo Heat (NPSL).
Carlos Mercado (99) – Mercado returns after earning his first professional contract in 2020 following impressive performances in training during the SAFC preseason. The Laredo, TX native featured in 11 match-day squads including the final 10 last season after joining the club from the University of the Incarnate Word. Mercado is a product of the FC Dallas (MLS) academy, while the goalkeeper also played with USL League Two clubs Des Moines Menace and Corpus Christi FC, as well as the Laredo Heat (NPSL).
Liam Doyle (5) – Doyle returns to SAFC after joining the club in late September last season. The defender’s lone appearance for the club came as a starter in their USL Championship Playoffs match against New Mexico United at Toyota Field. Prior to joining SAFC, Doyle spent the 2019 season with Memphis 901, where he recorded 42 clearances, nine interceptions and six blocks. The Isle of Man native brings plenty of experience to the squad with 116 matches of USL Championship experience under his belt. Doyle was originally drafted by DC United (MLS) in the 2016 SuperDraft and has represented his country on the international stage 16 times.
Liam Doyle (5) – Doyle returns to SAFC after joining the club in late September last season. The defender’s lone appearance for the club came as a starter in their USL Championship Playoffs match against New Mexico United at Toyota Field. Prior to joining SAFC, Doyle spent the 2019 season with Memphis 901, where he recorded 42 clearances, nine interceptions and six blocks. The Isle of Man native brings plenty of experience to the squad with 116 matches of USL Championship experience under his belt. Doyle was originally drafted by DC United (MLS) in the 2016 SuperDraft and has represented his country on the international stage 16 times.
Connor Maloney (31) – Maloney returns to SAFC after starting 15 of the club’s 16 matches in 2020, compiling a team-high 45 tackles and 35 interceptions while helping to lead the SAFC defense to conceding the fourth-fewest goals in the league, a top finish in Group D, and a playoff berth. The Pennsylvania native originally joined SAFC from Columbus Crew SC (MLS) where he played from 2017-2019. Maloney also spent time on loan with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Championship) in 2017 and 2018.
Connor Maloney (31) – Maloney returns to SAFC after starting 15 of the club’s 16 matches in 2020, compiling a team-high 45 tackles and 35 interceptions while helping to lead the SAFC defense to conceding the fourth-fewest goals in the league, a top finish in Group D, and a playoff berth. The Pennsylvania native originally joined SAFC from Columbus Crew SC (MLS) where he played from 2017-2019. Maloney also spent time on loan with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Championship) in 2017 and 2018.
Axel Sjöberg (44) – Sjöberg returns to SAFC after initially joining the club on loan from the Columbus Crew (MLS) prior to the start of the 2020 season. The defender was recalled last year following the suspension of play due to COVID-19 and was subsequently traded to DC United, where he made two appearances. Prior to 2020, Sjöberg spent the previous five seasons (2015-19) with the Colorado Rapids in MLS, where he made 92 appearances. In 2016, Sjöberg was named to the MLS Best XI.
Axel Sjöberg (44) – Sjöberg returns to SAFC after initially joining the club on loan from the Columbus Crew (MLS) prior to the start of the 2020 season. The defender was recalled last year following the suspension of play due to COVID-19 and was subsequently traded to DC United, where he made two appearances. Prior to 2020, Sjöberg spent the previous five seasons (2015-19) with the Colorado Rapids in MLS, where he made 92 appearances. In 2016, Sjöberg was named to the MLS Best XI.
MIDFIELDERS
MIDFIELDERS
Chris Lema (4) – Lema joins SAFC from the New York Red Bulls, where he signed an MLS contract in January following three impressive seasons with the club’s USL Championship affiliate New York Red Bulls II, where he tallied six goals, 13 assists, 161 tackles, 358 duels won and 96 interceptions in 75 matches. Lema’s most impressive season came in 2019 when he led the league with 94 chances created while adding five goals, six assists, 68 tackles, 173 duels won and 34 interceptions in 34 appearances, earning a spot in the USL Championship All-League Second Team.
Chris Lema (4) – Lema joins SAFC from the New York Red Bulls, where he signed an MLS contract in January following three impressive seasons with the club’s USL Championship affiliate New York Red Bulls II, where he tallied six goals, 13 assists, 161 tackles, 358 duels won and 96 interceptions in 75 matches. Lema’s most impressive season came in 2019 when he led the league with 94 chances created while adding five goals, six assists, 68 tackles, 173 duels won and 34 interceptions in 34 appearances, earning a spot in the USL Championship All-League Second Team.
PC (6) – PC returns for his second season with the club after proving to be an integral part of the roster in 2020, appearing in 14 of the club’s 16 regular season games while recording a goal, two assists, and leading the team with 23 key passes while ranking second in tackles (39). The Brazilian added an 81.6 percent passing accuracy along with 16 shots. Prior to joining SAFC, PC spent the 2017-19 seasons in Major League Soccer, making 30 appearances with Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Orlando City SC, respectively. The midfielder also made 45 appearances for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) prior to being sold to the Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) in 2016. PC is a youth product of the famous Corinthians academy in his native Brazil.
PC (6) – PC returns for his second season with the club after proving to be an integral part of the roster in 2020, appearing in 14 of the club’s 16 regular season games while recording a goal, two assists, and leading the team with 23 key passes while ranking second in tackles (39). The Brazilian added an 81.6 percent passing accuracy along with 16 shots. Prior to joining SAFC, PC spent the 2017-19 seasons in Major League Soccer, making 30 appearances with Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Orlando City SC, respectively. The midfielder also made 45 appearances for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) prior to being sold to the Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) in 2016. PC is a youth product of the famous Corinthians academy in his native Brazil.
Cam Lindley (8) – Lindley joins SAFC after spending the 2020 season with Indy Eleven, where he made 12 appearances while recording 11 chances created, 15 tackles, and 10 interceptions. Overall, the Indiana native has appeared in 38 USL Championship matches in his career with Indy, Memphis 901 FC, and the now-defunct Saint Louis FC. Prior to that, Lindley was originally signed by Orlando City SC (MLS) and made his debut with the club in 2018. Lindley attended college at North Carolina, where he made 43 appearances overall and garnered ACC Midfielder of the Year honors along with a First Team All-ACC inclusion following his sophomore season.
Cam Lindley (8) – Lindley joins SAFC after spending the 2020 season with Indy Eleven, where he made 12 appearances while recording 11 chances created, 15 tackles, and 10 interceptions. Overall, the Indiana native has appeared in 38 USL Championship matches in his career with Indy, Memphis 901 FC, and the now-defunct Saint Louis FC. Prior to that, Lindley was originally signed by Orlando City SC (MLS) and made his debut with the club in 2018. Lindley attended college at North Carolina, where he made 43 appearances overall and garnered ACC Midfielder of the Year honors along with a First Team All-ACC inclusion following his sophomore season.
Emil Cuello (10) – Cuello joins San Antonio from the LA Galaxy (MLS), where he made 24 appearances since 2019. The Argentina native spent time with the LA Galaxy II in 2019, where he created 16 chances in six appearances. Cuello returns to Texas after attending college at Southern Methodist University from 2015-18, where he scored 12 goals in 72 appearances and earned honors including AAC All-Rookie Team, AAC Most Outstanding Offensive Player, AAC First-Team All American and MVP of the 2018 AAC tournament. Cuello also played for the Ocean City Nor’easters in USL League Two in 2016.
Emil Cuello (10) – Cuello joins San Antonio from the LA Galaxy (MLS), where he made 24 appearances since 2019. The Argentina native spent time with the LA Galaxy II in 2019, where he created 16 chances in six appearances. Cuello returns to Texas after attending college at Southern Methodist University from 2015-18, where he scored 12 goals in 72 appearances and earned honors including AAC All-Rookie Team, AAC Most Outstanding Offensive Player, AAC First-Team All American and MVP of the 2018 AAC tournament. Cuello also played for the Ocean City Nor’easters in USL League Two in 2016.
Ollie Wright (14) – Wright joins SAFC ahead of his first season as a professional after playing his collegiate soccer at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. The England native was named co-Male Athlete of the Year at St. Mary’s following his junior season, where he recorded eight goals and 12 assists while leading the Rattlers to their first NCAA tournament in team history. Wright was also named Lone Star Conference Player of the Year as well as D2CCA South Central Region Player of the Year that season. Overall the midfielder scored 13 goals while tallying 20 assists for the Rattlers. Wright also spent the 2019 season with USL League Two side Corpus Christi FC, where he led the team with seven goals and 15 assists. Back in England, he spent time in strong English academies including Fulham and Brentford.
Ollie Wright (14) – Wright joins SAFC ahead of his first season as a professional after playing his collegiate soccer at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. The England native was named co-Male Athlete of the Year at St. Mary’s following his junior season, where he recorded eight goals and 12 assists while leading the Rattlers to their first NCAA tournament in team history. Wright was also named Lone Star Conference Player of the Year as well as D2CCA South Central Region Player of the Year that season. Overall the midfielder scored 13 goals while tallying 20 assists for the Rattlers. Wright also spent the 2019 season with USL League Two side Corpus Christi FC, where he led the team with seven goals and 15 assists. Back in England, he spent time in strong English academies including Fulham and Brentford.
Jose Gallegos (17) – The San Antonio native returns after becoming a key member of the 2020 roster, appearing in all 16 regular season games while recording two goals, three assists, and 23 chances created. The SAFC Pro Academy ETP product was named a finalist for the league’s Young Player of the Year award following the conclusion of the season. Gallegos also led Central Catholic to its fourth consecutive TAPPS Division 1 State Championship.
Jose Gallegos (17) – The San Antonio native returns after becoming a key member of the 2020 roster, appearing in all 16 regular season games while recording two goals, three assists, and 23 chances created. The SAFC Pro Academy ETP product was named a finalist for the league’s Young Player of the Year award following the conclusion of the season. Gallegos also led Central Catholic to its fourth consecutive TAPPS Division 1 State Championship.
Ethan Bryant (18) – San Antonio native Ethan Bryant returns after joining SAFC late last season following his move to KSV Roeselare in the Belgium second division in 2019. In his first two seasons with San Antonio, Bryant appeared in 16 league matches. Bryant is the second-youngest player to debut for the club after making his first appearance at age 16 and was the first player to join the first team from the SAFC Pro Academy Elite Training Program back in 2018.
Ethan Bryant (18) – San Antonio native Ethan Bryant returns after joining SAFC late last season following his move to KSV Roeselare in the Belgium second division in 2019. In his first two seasons with San Antonio, Bryant appeared in 16 league matches. Bryant is the second-youngest player to debut for the club after making his first appearance at age 16 and was the first player to join the first team from the SAFC Pro Academy Elite Training Program back in 2018.
Marcus Epps (20) – Epps joins SAFC after spending the 2020 season with the Portland Timbers 2, where he tallied four goals, 13 key passes and 97 duels won in 13 matches played. Prior to his time with Timbers 2, Epps played for the New York Red Bulls and Philadelphia Union in MLS as well as Memphis 901 FC in the USL Championship. The Jackson, Mississippi native attended the University of South Florida from 2013-16 while also playing for the Chicago Fire U-23 side in USL League Two in the 2014 and 2015 seasons.
Marcus Epps (20) – Epps joins SAFC after spending the 2020 season with the Portland Timbers 2, where he tallied four goals, 13 key passes and 97 duels won in 13 matches played. Prior to his time with Timbers 2, Epps played for the New York Red Bulls and Philadelphia Union in MLS as well as Memphis 901 FC in the USL Championship. The Jackson, Mississippi native attended the University of South Florida from 2013-16 while also playing for the Chicago Fire U-23 side in USL League Two in the 2014 and 2015 seasons.
Leo Torres (21) – Another local boy, Torres returns to SAFC after making his USL Championship debut in 2020 and playing in two matches after previously featuring for the club in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2019. Torres is the first player to have gone through the full SAFC Pro Academy ranks, starting with the academy in its inaugural U-12 squad and working his way up the system and into the first team. Torres has also featured for the U.S. Youth National Team.
Leo Torres (21) – Another local boy, Torres returns to SAFC after making his USL Championship debut in 2020 and playing in two matches after previously featuring for the club in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2019. Torres is the first player to have gone through the full SAFC Pro Academy ranks, starting with the academy in its inaugural U-12 squad and working his way up the system and into the first team. Torres has also featured for the U.S. Youth National Team.
FORWARDS
FORWARDS
Santiago Patiño (9) – Patiño joins SAFC after spending the 2019 and 2020 seasons with Orlando City SC (MLS). Last season, the Colombia native made four appearances for Orlando before being loaned to Cimarrones de Sonora in Mexico, where he played 11 matches. Overall, the forward has recorded two goals and one assist in 13 appearances for Orlando. Prior to his time in Florida, Patiño spent time with USL League Two sides SIMA Aguilas and Seattle Sounders U-23, where he scored 13 goals in 21 matches.
Santiago Patiño (9) – Patiño joins SAFC after spending the 2019 and 2020 seasons with Orlando City SC (MLS). Last season, the Colombia native made four appearances for Orlando before being loaned to Cimarrones de Sonora in Mexico, where he played 11 matches. Overall, the forward has recorded two goals and one assist in 13 appearances for Orlando. Prior to his time in Florida, Patiño spent time with USL League Two sides SIMA Aguilas and Seattle Sounders U-23, where he scored 13 goals in 21 matches.
Justin Dhillon (11) – Dhillon joins SAFC from the Seattle Sounders (MLS) where he spent the 2020 season. The forward had been in the Sounders system since 2019, appearing for the first team as part of their MLS Cup Champion squad while also featuring for Tacoma Defiance in the USL Championship. In 2019, he compiled 12 goals, two assists, and 13 key passes in 25 games for Tacoma, including scoring the joint-fastest goal in league history that season, which would eventually be tied by SAFC forward Luis Solignac in 2020. Prior to his time with the Sounders, Dhillon was a member of the LA Galaxy II from 2018-19, where he scored nine goals in 39 appearances.
Justin Dhillon (11) – Dhillon joins SAFC from the Seattle Sounders (MLS) where he spent the 2020 season. The forward had been in the Sounders system since 2019, appearing for the first team as part of their MLS Cup Champion squad while also featuring for Tacoma Defiance in the USL Championship. In 2019, he compiled 12 goals, two assists, and 13 key passes in 25 games for Tacoma, including scoring the joint-fastest goal in league history that season, which would eventually be tied by SAFC forward Luis Solignac in 2020. Prior to his time with the Sounders, Dhillon was a member of the LA Galaxy II from 2018-19, where he scored nine goals in 39 appearances.
