Saad Abdul-Salaam, Samuel Adeniran Each Score in Win
LAS VEGAS (July 27, 2022) – San Antonio FC defeated Las Vegas Lights FC tonight 2-0 for the team’s fourth-straight clean sheet and fifth in the last six matches.
San Antonio struck first in the 34th minute, with Saad Abdul-Salaam tapping in a corner kick after Justin Dhillon redirected the ball in front of goal. Abdul-Salaam’s goal was his first with SAFC, coming in just his third start.
Samuel Adeniran made it 2-0 in the 64th minute, scoring his fifth goal of the season after an assist from Ignacio Bailone. Adeniran has now scored five times in just seven matches with San Antonio.
SAFC keeper Jordan Farr held his third-straight clean sheet, making two saves in the effort. Farr has now kept nine clean sheets, with the San Antonio team boasting 11 on the season.
The win is the 10th on the road this season, moving into a tie for the fifth-most in a single season in USL Championship season and just three short of the league record.
SAFC returns home Saturday to host LA Galaxy II, with kickoff from Toyota Field set for 8:00 p.m. CT. Tickets are available now at SanAntonioFC.com or the SAFC app, and the match will be broadcast on Bally Sports Southwest Extra as well as ESPN+
Scoring Summary:
SAFC: 1-0, Saad Abdul-Salaam (Assisted by Justin Dhillon) 34’
SAFC: 2-0, Samuel Adeniran (Assisted by Ignacio Bailone) 64’
Disciplinary Summary:
SAFC: Yellow Card (Saad Abdul-Salaam) 11’
SAFC: Yellow Card (Santiago Patiño) 53’
SAFC: Yellow Card (Nicky Hernandez) 58’
SAFC: Yellow Card (Samuel Adeniran) 85’
Attendance: TBD
SAFC Starting XI: GK: Jordan Farr; D: Mitchell Taintor, Fabien Garcia, Carter Manley, Saad Abdul-Salaam (Shannon Gomez 45’), Connor Maloney (captain); M: Mohammed Abu, Nicky Hernandez (Jordy Delem 58’); F: Samuel Adeniran, Santiago Patiño (Ignacio Bailone 58’), Justin Dhillon
Substitutions not used: Jordan Ayimbila, Henrik Sakshaug
Postgame Notes:
- SAFC moves to 16-3-1 on the season with 49 points, leading the USL Championship.
- Defender Saad Abdul-Salaam scored his first goal with SAFC, coming in his third start.
- Justin Dhillon’s assist on Abdul-Salaam’s goal was his fourth in the last five matches, giving him the team lead with six.
- Samuel Adeniran’s goal in the 64th minute was his fifth of the season, coming in just his seventh match.
- Adeniran’s five goals move him into a tie with Santiago Patiño for the second most on the team.
- Ignacio Bailone’s assist on Adeniran’s goal was his first with SAFC this season.
- The clean sheet marked Jordan Farr’s ninth of the season and the 11th for SAFC.
- San Antonio has now held a clean sheet in five of the last six matches, and four straight.
- SAFC remains 16-0-1 on the season when scoring, and 14-0-0 when scoring first.
Quotes:
Head Coach Alen Marcina
(On the defense’s strong performance…)
“Pressing and defensive organization is an 11-man concept. It starts at the front, our attackers are tireless workers off the ball, which makes the lines behind them a lot easier. And then when called upon, our backline’s been fantastic in their 1v1 duels. And when Jordan’s asked to make a save he comes up big for us.”
Goalkeeper Jordan Farr
(On the shutout streak…)
“It’s our confidence … It kind of just puts fear in other people’s hearts as well. As they come and play us, they kind of know the streak is happening. And of course they want to beat it, but they miss chances or we make a save or someone makes a block or a cross doesn’t come in or goals just don’t come, it kind of reaffirms our stability at the back and puts fear in the other team.”