SAN ANTONIO (Aug. 22, 2026) – San Antonio FC fell to Oakland Roots SC in a 1-0 scoreline Saturday at Toyota Field.
San Antonio created some early opportunity, with Diogo Pacheco and Cristian Parano each putting a shot on-frame to force a double save out of the Roots’ goalkeeper in the 7th minute.
The teams held each other scoreless for more than 90 minutes before Oakland converted a penalty kick in second-half stoppage time to put the visitors on top.
Scoring Summary
OAK: Peter Wilson (Penalty) 90+3’
Next Up
San Antonio FC heads to the road to face New Mexico United on Saturday, Aug. 29 in a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Quarterfinal. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. CT, and the match will be broadcast on ESPN+. The 2026 season is presented by Toyota.
Postgame Notes:
- San Antonio falls to 8-5-8 on the season with 32 points, moving to fifth place in the Western Conference standings.
- Oakland picked up its second win in the all-time series against SAFC, with San Antonio leading 5-2-3.
- Head Coach Carlos Llamosa made six changes to the starting XI that faced El Paso, with Akeem Ward, Emil Cuello, Alex Crognale, Cristian Parano, Diogo Pacheco and Lucio Berron entering the lineup.
- Forward Lilian Ricol made his club debut after signing with the team on August 14.
Attendance: 6,101
SAFC Starting XI: Joey Batrouni, Emil Cuello, Alex Crognale, Mitchell Taintor (Captain), Tiago Suarez (Lilian Ricol 90+5’), Akeem O’Connor-Ward, Mikey Maldonado (Nicky Hernandez 69’), Lucio Berron, Jorge Hernandez, Cristian Parano, Diogo Pacheco (Santiago Patiño 25’)
Substitutions Not Used: Danny Barbir, Nelson Flores Blanco, Luke Haakenson, Daniel Namani, Leo Urrutia
Disciplinary Summary:
OAK: Yellow Card (Jesus De Vicente) 50’
SA: Yellow Card (Lucio Berron) 51’
SA: Yellow Card (Joey Batrouni) 82’
SA: Second Yellow Card (Lucio Berron) 86’
SA: Yellow Card (Akeem O’Connor-Ward) 88’
OAK: Yellow Card (Bobosi Byaruhanga) 96+2’
Quotes:
Head Coach Carlos Llamosa
(On the loss…)
“Well, it’s another disappointing night, to be honest. We created a couple chances. We had one or two chances in the first half, but every time we got the ball, we tried to go with a home run, and we kicked the ball away too easily and too quickly, so they were smarter than us, keeping the ball, possessing the ball, which is something that we stepped away from the previous games that we played at Louisville, and against Indy and Brooklyn. We had more possession in those games. This time, we were trying with the long balls all the time instead of trying to play and be smart with the ball.”
(On Oakland imposing their style of play…)
“At the beginning, that was a consequence of when they attacked and gave us the ball. Instead of trying to play with passes and push Oakland back to their own 18-yard box, we were trying to play their game, the long ball, when that’s something when we don’t practice. We were playing too many long balls. They were winning second balls, and that’s not our game. We need to possess the ball more. That’s why we play with four midfielders and guys who are really good with the possession, guys who can hold the ball really well. In the second half, I believe the first 30 minutes we played better, we possessed the ball better, and then the mistakes that we made as a team means and as individuals killed us.”
Defender Alex Crognale
(On the team’s mood…)
“No, it’s obviously disappointing. Guys are mad. Guys are upset the way we’re playing, but there’s still a lot of optimism and positivity because when we look around the locker room, we have a great group and a group that can win games and fight for championships, and look, that’s why we’re all here, so we’re gonna continue to push. There’s still nine games left, so we’re going to continue to go and fight and scrap for the top spot, but the season is a long way from over.”
(On the team overcoming injuries…)
“We have a deep squad just for that, right? I think injuries happen and we have plenty of guys who can step up and perform. It’s just a matter of, like I said, just taking accountability and showing up and moving past these results and going into a difficult place in New Mexico and find a way to get points.”
(On traveling to New Mexico next week…)
“It’s the next game on our calendar, and it just so happens to be a good game against a good team and in a good stadium, so we’ll be excited. We’ll be ready. You know we’ve faced New Mexico plenty of times, and they’re on a good run of late, and so we’ll be excited to put out our best and see if we can go and steal some points.”
