Mitchell Taintor, David Loera Score in Second-Straight Win to Open the Season
CARSON, Calif. (March 19, 2022) – San Antonio FC topped LA Galaxy II 2-1 tonight, moving to 2-0-0 on the season for just the second time in club history.
SAFC started the scoring off in the 10th minute with David Loera chipping a ball over the keeper after fielding a cross from Shannon Gomez.
LA scored in the 30th minute to tie things up going into the half, then had a player sent off with a red card in the 52nd minute.
In the 53rd minute, Mitchell Taintor put SAFC ahead for good with a set piece header off of a floating free kick from Mohammed Abu. Two minutes later, Elliot Collier was sent off with a red card.
San Antonio FC is back in action next weekend, traveling south to take on RGV FC. Kickoff on Saturday is set for 6:30 p.m. CT, and the match can be streamed on ESPN+.
Scoring Summary:
SAFC: 1-0, David Loera (Assisted by Shannon Gomez) 10’
LA: 1-1, Carlos Harvey (Assisted by Daniel Aguirre) 30’
SAFC: 2-1, Mitchell Taintor (Assisted by Mohammed Abu) 53’
Disciplinary Summary:
LA: Yellow Card (Adrian Gonzalez) 13’
SAFC: Yellow Card (Carter Manley) 35’
SAFC: Yellow Card (Fabien Garcia) 39’
SAFC: Yellow Card (Mitchell Taintor) 51’
LA: Red Card (Adrian Gonzalez) 53’
SAFC: Red Card (Elliot Collier) 55’
Attendance: 500
SAFC Starting XI: GK: Cristian Bonilla; D: Mitchell Taintor, Fabien Garcia, Carter Manley; M: Connor Maloney, PC (captain), Mohammed Abu, David Loera (Ates Diouf 72’), Elliot Collier F: Justin Dhillon (Diedie Traore 90+’)
Substitutions not used: Matt Cardone, Jordan Farr, Roman Holt, Kai Louviere, Jordan Ayimbila
Postgame Notes:
- SAFC remains unbeaten on the season, moving to 2-0-0 to stay atop the Western Conference standings.
- The 2-0-0 start is just the second time in club history that the team has won each of its first two matches. The only other time was in 2017.
- David Loera scored his first goal with the club, chipping in a cross from Shannon Gomez to make it 1-0. The goal comes in Loera’s first start of the season.
- The assist was Gomez’s first with the club as well, coming in his second start.
- Mitchell Taintor scored his first goal of the season, and first since October 6, 2021.
- Taintor’s goal was assisted by Mohammed Abu, his first assist for SAFC.
- This afternoon also represented Taintor’s 150th USL Championship match.
Quotes:
Head Coach Alen Marcina
(On the match result…)
“I’m incredibly proud of our team. They were cohesive, they competed for 90+
minutes and were definitely resilient. Especially when both teams got the red cards,
that’s difficult for players … and our guys got the result, and I’m proud of them.”
Defender Mitchell Taintor
(On the team’s performance…)
“I thought it was a great response from last week. I didn’t think we played our
best last week but we squeaked out a win. We all challenged each other to be
better on the ball and practice what we preach in training, and I think everyone
did that. It was great coming here and getting three points. I think everyone
battled, everyone played well, so there are a lot of good takeaways. And
obviously some things to work on, but I’m really proud of the guys.”
