Kevon Lambert scores game-winning goal
SAN ANTONIO (March 30, 2024) – San Antonio FC capped off an undefeated month with its second consecutive win Saturday, defeating Monterey Bay F.C. 2-1 at Toyota Field.
After scoring two goals in the final 15 minutes of play last match, San Antonio wasted no time finding the scoresheet. Following an initial service from Jorge Hernandez, several heads got a touch on the ball before Carter Manley finished the chance with a nifty bicycle kick for the opening goal in the 7th minute. Monterey Bay was able to equalize just before the half thanks to a set piece opportunity in stoppage time.
San Antonio grabbed the lead back in 86th minute when Kevon Lambert was able to tap in a redirected header from Mitchell Taintor to put SAFC up 2-1 for the win.
Next Up
San Antonio FC takes the road again to face Las Vegas Lights FC Saturday, April 6. Kickoff from Cashman Field is set for 8:30 p.m. CT, and the match will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Scoring Summary:
SAFC: Carter Manley 7’
MB: Mobi Fehr (Assisted by Walmer Martínez) 45+3’
SAFC: Kevon Lambert (Assisted by Mitchell Taintor) 86’
Postgame Notes:
- SAFC moves to 2-0-2 on the season with 8 points, tied on points atop the Western Conference standings.
- San Antonio remains undefeated against Monterey Bay, now leading the all-time series 4-0-1. In five meetings, SAFC has outscored the Union 13-4.
- SAFC has scored two goals in each of its four games this season. The club’s eight goals are second most in USL Championship.
- SAFC continues its dominance at Toyota Field, moving to 24-2-15 at home since the start of the 2022 season.
- San Antonio is one of seven USL Championship teams to go undefeated in the month of March.
- Defender Carter Manley scores two goals in a single season for the first time in his SAFC career. The goal was also Manley’s first league goal scored at Toyota Field.
- Kevon Lambert’s goal marks his first for the club.
- Shannon Gomez makes his first start for the squad since returning from international duty with the Trinidad & Tobago National Team.
- SAFC has led in possession in each of its four matches this season, holding 52% against Monterey Bay.
Attendance: 7,546
SAFC Starting XI: Pablo Sisniega, Carter Manley, Kendall Burks, Mitchell Taintor (captain), Shannon Gomez, Luke Haakenson (Trova Boni 90+5’), Kevon Lambert, Lucas Silva (Mohamed Omar 40’), Jorge Hernandez, Hugo Mbongue (Kameron Lacey 69’), Juan Agudelo
Substitutions Not Used: Kendall McIntosh, Bura, Jose Mulato, Richard Windbichler, Eduardo Fernandez, Gio Padilla
Disciplinary Summary:
MB: Yellow Card (Carlos Guzman) 29’
SAFC: Yellow Card (Shannon Gomez) 34’
MB: Yellow Card (Morey Doner) 43’
SAFC: Yellow Card (Mohamed Omar) 77’
SAFC: Yellow Card (Kevon Lambert) 82’
MB: Yellow Card (Rafa Baca) 83’
Quotes:
Head Coach Alen Marcina
(On the team’s second straight win…)
“I’m proud of the guys to go undefeated in the month of March. We’re one of the handful of teams to achieve that, so it’s a very good start of the season. Overall tonight, in particular — we brought it up again at halftime — that we have to continue to display our mentality and what we’re about as a team, stay the aggressors through the course of the game and continue with the intensity in our actions and continue to be the aggressors and play aggressive with, without the ball. Guys demonstrated that over the course of 90-plus minutes, so incredibly proud of them. Well-earned, well-deserved three points against the very good Monterey (Bay) team.”
(On the team’s set piece performances…)
“Disappointed we lost the man in the box to concede on a set piece, but it happens. Credit to the player to in that action a little hungrier got in front of our guy, but at the same time, I thought obviously we scored a well-constructed set piece ourselves. Again, the guys demonstrated their hunger and their resilience, and that’s what we preach here about our mentality, and they’ve demonstrated each of the games, so it’s a true testament of the team’s character.”
(On Manley’s performance…)
“Well, first, he scored a fantastic goal. I think he’s been watching some of our strikers’ highlight tapes, to pull off this semi-scissor if you want to call it. Beautiful Goal. He’s been dominant in one-on-one situations. He’s tasked with man-marking some of the best attackers in the league, and he’s done fantastic, so incredibly proud of him and the collective.”
Defender Carter Manley
(On starting the season strong…)
“Really good to get off on the right foot and build some momentum and just keep pushing forward. Lots to build off, not just the performances and the results, but how we’re responding, our actions, our decision-making, so a lot to build on which is really a positive.”
(On going up against some of the league’s best attackers…)
“I appreciate the trust the team and my coach give me on those men-marking assignments. They’re definitely tough but I love them, and it was a good challenge tonight, and I think I did well with that. And then to do something on the other end as well, it’s definitely a bonus, so feels really good on both ends.”
Midfielder Kevon Lambert
(On the team’s second win in a row…)
“I mean, it was very important for us. Especially since it’s early on in the season, but where we’re standing right now, I think this win really gives us an extra boost moving forward. It was definitely a game where we will learn a lot and get some confidence from going forward, and I think Monterey (Bay) was on the same amount of points as us before this game, so it was good for us to beat them and move on with three more points tonight, so I think this game was crucial to get a win.”
