Justin Dhillon’s Goal Enough, SAFC Keeps Third-Straight Shutout in USL Championship Play
ALBUQUERQUE (April 23, 2022) – San Antonio FC topped New Mexico United 1-0 in Albuquerque tonight, marking the first win at New Mexico in club history.
Justin Dhillon scored the match’s lone goal, and his first goal of the season, in the 67th minute. The goal came off a penalty created by Dhillon, which also gives SAFC the team’s first converted penalty of the season.
The team’s defense held New Mexico scoreless, giving keeper Jordan Farr three-straight clean sheets in USL Championship play.
SAFC returns home to host USL Championship expansion side Monterey Bay F.C. on April 30. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT at Toyota Field, with tickets on sale now at SanAntonioFC.com.
Scoring Summary:
SAFC: 1-0, Justin Dhillon (Penalty) 67’
Disciplinary Summary:
SAFC: Yellow Card (Mitchell Taintor) 18’
NM: Yellow Card (Rashid Tetteh) 43’
NM: Yellow Card (Preston Etaka) 45+’
NM: Yellow Card (Justin Portillo) 56’
SAFC: Yellow Card (Fabien Garcia) 84’
Attendance: 11,420
SAFC Starting XI: GK: Jordan Farr; D: Mitchell Taintor, Fabien Garcia, Jasser Khmiri, M: Carter Manley; Shannon Gomez, PC (captain), Mohammed Abu, Connor Maloney; F: Justin Dhillon, Elliot Collier (Deshane Beckford 77’)
Substitutions not used: Matt Cardone, Henrik Sakshaug, Roman Holt, Jordan Ayimbila, Nicky Hernandez
Postgame Notes:
- SAFC moves to 6-1-0 on the season with 18 points tied for the most in the USL Championship Western Conference.
- Justin Dhillon’s goal in the 67th minute was his first of the season, and first converted penalty of the season for SAFC.
- Dhillon’s goal comes after scoring seven for San Antonio in 2021.
- SAFC wins at New Mexico for the first time in club history.
- The win caps a 3-0-0 week that includes Wednesday’s win over MLS side Austin FC.
- The clean sheet marks the team’s third-straight USL Championship match with a clean sheet, the longest such streak since 2017.
Quotes:
Head Coach Alen Marcina
(On the win…)
“I’m so proud of the win, so proud of the players. Those are absolute mentality
monsters. Three games in eight days which includes a very good MLS opponent
in the Open Cup. And to come away from these three games with nine points I’m
incredibly happy, and incredibly proud. Couldn’t ask for more.”
Forward Justin Dhillon
(On the win…)
“This was the first time we’ve come in and beat New Mexico in new Mexico, so
that’s a great achievement. When you look back at thw week three wins in a
week is just absolutely incredible. It’s such a testament to the heart and the work
rate of every single person in this organization to come out and get it done time
after time, and I cannot be more proud of everyone involved in the last three
games.”
(On scoring his first goal of the season…)
“I think the foremost thing in my mind is I’m trying to do whatever I can to help the
team win. There’s definitelt been some opportunities that you look back and think ‘man I wanted to put that one in’ but super grateful to have put that one in. As soon as I saw the penalty call I saw multiple guys on the team just have so much belief in me, give me the ball and say ‘you’ve got this.’ So to have that in your corner, even with … it was my first goal, it’s just a testament to what this team’s built on and what we’re made of. It’s really exciting to see and I cant wait to watch us thrive going forward.”