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San Antonio FC has added defender Mitchell Taintor on loan from Sacramento Republic FC for the 2021 season, the club announced today. In addition, SAFC also announced that is has loaned midfielder Emil Cuello to Republic FC for the remainder of the season. Both transactions are pending league and federation approval. Per club policy, terms of the loans were not disclosed.

“We are excited to re-welcome Mitchell to the SAFC family,” said SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina. “Mitchell is an on-field leader, ultra-competitor and one of the top-performing defenders on and off the ball in the league. His familiarity with the team and club culture enables a seamless transition as he joins his new teammates. Additionally, it is never easy to have such a talented attacking player depart. As a staff, we want to thank Emil for his fellowship, professionalism and contributions to the club.” 

So far in 2021, Taintor has appeared in 13 matches (nine starts) while compiling 791 minutes played. The 26-year-old has recorded 34 clearances, 18 interceptions, 45 duels won, 21 aerial duels won and an 80.7 percent passing accuracy. Taintor has also added one goal, one assist and two key passes this season. While with SAFC in 2020, the defender appeared in 15 of the club’s 16 regular season matches, compiling 1,470 minutes, 68 clearances, 42 aerial duels won and 23 interceptions. Taintor also played all 120 minutes of playoff competition for the team.  

Prior to 2020, Taintor spent the previous two seasons with Sacramento in the USL Championship. Overall, from 2018-19 with the Republic, Taintor made 64 appearances (61 starts) between the regular season and playoffs, amassing 5,373 minutes played while adding three goals, three assists, 258 clearances and 146 duels won. Originally drafted by Toronto FC in the third round (59th overall) of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, Taintor signed with Toronto’s USL Championship affiliate where he made 47 appearances in two seasons from 2016-17. The Connecticut native was the club captain for Toronto FC II in 2017 and scored three goals for the Canadian side over the course of his time there. Taintor attended Rutgers University and played collegiate soccer from 2012-15, earning NSCAA Second Team All-Midwest Region and Second Team All-Big Ten Conference honors.

“I’m super excited to be back,” said Taintor. “I love the city of San Antonio, I love Texas and I loved playing for this team last year. We made a really good run last season, and I really believe in the style of play here, so I’m excited to be here, win some games and make a run in playoffs.”

Cuello originally joined SAFC prior to the start of the 2021 season. The 24-year-old recorded two goals and three assists in 16 games played (963 minutes) for San Antonio.

Following today’s transactions, the SAFC roster currently stands at 27. Taintor will wear No. 3 for the club.

San Antonio FC has added defender Mitchell Taintor on loan from Sacramento Republic FC for the 2021 season, the club announced today. In addition, SAFC also announced that is has loaned midfielder Emil Cuello to Republic FC for the remainder of the season. Both transactions are pending league and federation approval. Per club policy, terms of the loans were not disclosed.

“We are excited to re-welcome Mitchell to the SAFC family,” said SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina. “Mitchell is an on-field leader, ultra-competitor and one of the top-performing defenders on and off the ball in the league. His familiarity with the team and club culture enables a seamless transition as he joins his new teammates. Additionally, it is never easy to have such a talented attacking player depart. As a staff, we want to thank Emil for his fellowship, professionalism and contributions to the club.” 

So far in 2021, Taintor has appeared in 13 matches (nine starts) while compiling 791 minutes played. The 26-year-old has recorded 34 clearances, 18 interceptions, 45 duels won, 21 aerial duels won and an 80.7 percent passing accuracy. Taintor has also added one goal, one assist and two key passes this season. While with SAFC in 2020, the defender appeared in 15 of the club’s 16 regular season matches, compiling 1,470 minutes, 68 clearances, 42 aerial duels won and 23 interceptions. Taintor also played all 120 minutes of playoff competition for the team.  

Prior to 2020, Taintor spent the previous two seasons with Sacramento in the USL Championship. Overall, from 2018-19 with the Republic, Taintor made 64 appearances (61 starts) between the regular season and playoffs, amassing 5,373 minutes played while adding three goals, three assists, 258 clearances and 146 duels won. Originally drafted by Toronto FC in the third round (59th overall) of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, Taintor signed with Toronto’s USL Championship affiliate where he made 47 appearances in two seasons from 2016-17. The Connecticut native was the club captain for Toronto FC II in 2017 and scored three goals for the Canadian side over the course of his time there. Taintor attended Rutgers University and played collegiate soccer from 2012-15, earning NSCAA Second Team All-Midwest Region and Second Team All-Big Ten Conference honors.

“I’m super excited to be back,” said Taintor. “I love the city of San Antonio, I love Texas and I loved playing for this team last year. We made a really good run last season, and I really believe in the style of play here, so I’m excited to be here, win some games and make a run in playoffs.”

Cuello originally joined SAFC prior to the start of the 2021 season. The 24-year-old recorded two goals and three assists in 16 games played (963 minutes) for San Antonio.

Following today’s transactions, the SAFC roster currently stands at 27. Taintor will wear No. 3 for the club.

San Antonio FC has added defender Kortne Ford on loan from the Colorado Rapids of MLS pending league and federation approval, the team announced today. Per club policy, terms of the loan were not disclosed.

“We are delighted to add Kortne Ford to the SAFC family and appreciate the Colorado Rapids’ help in conducting the loan,” said SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina. “Kortne has the potential to add great value to our center-back position with his athleticism, competitiveness, and demonstrated resilient ways. As a staff, we are excited about the opportunity to work with Kortne and look forward to integrating him with the team.”

Ford joins SAFC from the Rapids where he has made 43 appearances in all competitions, including 35 in MLS. His most prolific season came in 2017 when he appeared in 1,726 regular season minutes over the course of 20 matches (19 starts). The 25-year-old has also appeared in CONCACAF Champions League matches and the U.S. Open Cup for the Rapids while additionally representing Colorado in the 2017 MLS Homegrown game.

After originally joining the Rapids academy in 2012, Ford went on to attend the University of Denver where he played in 62 collegiate games from 2014-16 and was a two-time All-Summit League First Team selection. Colorado signed Ford to an MLS Homegrown contract in January of 2017 before making his first-team debut later that year.

With today’s signing, the SAFC roster currently stands at 27. Ford will wear No. 24 for the club.

San Antonio FC has added defender Kortne Ford on loan from the Colorado Rapids of MLS pending league and federation approval, the team announced today. Per club policy, terms of the loan were not disclosed.

“We are delighted to add Kortne Ford to the SAFC family and appreciate the Colorado Rapids’ help in conducting the loan,” said SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina. “Kortne has the potential to add great value to our center-back position with his athleticism, competitiveness, and demonstrated resilient ways. As a staff, we are excited about the opportunity to work with Kortne and look forward to integrating him with the team.”

Ford joins SAFC from the Rapids where he has made 43 appearances in all competitions, including 35 in MLS. His most prolific season came in 2017 when he appeared in 1,726 regular season minutes over the course of 20 matches (19 starts). The 25-year-old has also appeared in CONCACAF Champions League matches and the U.S. Open Cup for the Rapids while additionally representing Colorado in the 2017 MLS Homegrown game.

After originally joining the Rapids academy in 2012, Ford went on to attend the University of Denver where he played in 62 collegiate games from 2014-16 and was a two-time All-Summit League First Team selection. Colorado signed Ford to an MLS Homegrown contract in January of 2017 before making his first-team debut later that year.

With today’s signing, the SAFC roster currently stands at 27. Ford will wear No. 24 for the club.

The USL Championship announced today the scheduled match between San Antonio FC and Real Monarchs on Saturday, August 21 at Toyota Field has been postponed. The game will be rescheduled to Wednesday, September 1 at 7:30 p.m.

The decision was made for the health and safety of all parties after multiple covered individuals from San Antonio tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the club’s postponed match against New York Red Bulls II on August 14. All league, local and state health and wellness protocols are being followed.

While the club is disappointed not to be able to return to Toyota Field this weekend, the health and wellness of the individuals within the club continues to be the current focus. We look forward to resuming our preparations for an important stretch of the season, and in particular, hosting three key home games over eight days starting later this month.    

The USL Championship announced today the scheduled match between San Antonio FC and Real Monarchs on Saturday, August 21 at Toyota Field has been postponed. The game will be rescheduled to Wednesday, September 1 at 7:30 p.m.

The decision was made for the health and safety of all parties after multiple covered individuals from San Antonio tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the club’s postponed match against New York Red Bulls II on August 14. All league, local and state health and wellness protocols are being followed.

While the club is disappointed not to be able to return to Toyota Field this weekend, the health and wellness of the individuals within the club continues to be the current focus. We look forward to resuming our preparations for an important stretch of the season, and in particular, hosting three key home games over eight days starting later this month.    

The USL Championship announced today the scheduled match between the New York Red Bulls II and San Antonio FC on Saturday night at MSU Soccer Park has been postponed.

Proceeding with an abundance of caution, the postponement comes after multiple covered individuals from San Antonio tested positive for COVID-19.

All league, local and state health and wellness protocols are being followed. The game will be rescheduled for a future date.

The USL Championship announced today the scheduled match between the New York Red Bulls II and San Antonio FC on Saturday night at MSU Soccer Park has been postponed.

Proceeding with an abundance of caution, the postponement comes after multiple covered individuals from San Antonio tested positive for COVID-19.

All league, local and state health and wellness protocols are being followed. The game will be rescheduled for a future date.

San Antonio FC (6-5-6) earned a big three points against rivals RGV FC (8-5-4) after winning a fiercely contested 2-1 road match at H-E-B Park on Sunday night. Two goals from in-form striker Nathan helped the Alamo City club earn the victory.

“I am incredibly proud of the collective,” said SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina. “That’s four games in 11 days to show the team’s resilience. That’s something we have preached from day one. To get a result against one of the best teams in our conference makes me incredibly proud.”

SAFC were able to get on the board first after midfielder Jose Gallegos was taken down in the penalty area. Nathan stepped to the spot in the 18th minute and squeezed his shot past the Toros keeper for the 1-0 SAFC lead. RGV were able to equalize later in the first half when Carlos Azocar got on the end of an Adrian Vera pass in the box before dispatching his shot into the top corner of Matthew Cardone’s goal.

With both sides coming out in the second half looking for the winner, SAFC would take the lead on a counter-attack in the 35th minute. Justin Dhillon found himself in space down the left hand side before he squared the ball for Nathan who calmly scored his second goal of the game. With the brace, Nathan has scored seven goals in his last six games, and his three braces on the season are the most ever for an SAFC player. San Antonio was able to see out the match thanks to some strong defending and good goalkeeping from Cardone who made four saves on the night. The win marked the club’s fourth in the last six games as the second half of the season gets underway.

San Antonio FC will now travel to New York to face the Red Bulls II for the first time in team history next Saturday, before returning home to Toyota Field on August 21.

Scoring Summary:

SAFC: 1-0, Nathan (penalty) 18’

RGV: 1-1, Carlos Azocar (Adrian Vera assist) 35’

SAFC: 2-1, Nathan (Justin Dhillon assist) 58’

Disciplinary Summary:

RGV: Yellow Card (Grant Robinson) 38’

SAFC: Yellow Card (Jasser Khmiri) 49’

SAFC: Yellow Card (Mohammed Abu) 60’

RGV: Yellow Card (Baboucarr Njie) 78’

SAFC: Yellow Card (Matthew Cardone) 78’

RGV: Yellow Card (Erik Pimentel) 79’

Attendance: 3,496

SAFC Starting XI: GK: Matthew Cardone; D: Connor Maloney (c), Axel Sjoberg, Jasser Khmiri, Sam Gleadle; M: Mohammed Abu, Cam Lindley, Marcus Epps (Emil Cuello 66’), Jose Gallegos; F: Nathan, Justin Dhillon (Ollie Wright 72’)

Substitutions not used: Carlos Mercado, Joaquin Varela, Leo Torres, Chris Lema

Postgame Notes:

• SAFC forward Nathan was named the SWBC Man of the Match after scoring another two goals…with his tallies, Nathan now leads the team with seven goals and has scored seven in his last six matches…with his third brace of the season, Nathan has now recorded more braces than any other SAFC player in a single season in team history
• SAFC defeated RGV on the road to even the season series against their rivals, compiling a 1-1-2 record on the season…the win is the first at H-E-B Park since 8/28/20…SAFC have now won four of their last six matches on the season
• SAFC goalkeeper Matthew Cardone made four saves on the night to go along with 80.0 percent shot saved percentage…Cardone has made at least four saves in eight matches this year
• SAFC forward Justin Dhillon recorded his first assist of the season in his first start since 7/3 vs. Austin Bold
• SAFC defender Jasser Khmiri recorded three tackles, five clearances, two interceptions and two crucial blocks in the 90 minutes…also recorded a 78.1 percent passing accuracy and four aerial duels

San Antonio FC (6-5-6) earned a big three points against rivals RGV FC (8-5-4) after winning a fiercely contested 2-1 road match at H-E-B Park on Sunday night. Two goals from in-form striker Nathan helped the Alamo City club earn the victory.

“I am incredibly proud of the collective,” said SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina. “That’s four games in 11 days to show the team’s resilience. That’s something we have preached from day one. To get a result against one of the best teams in our conference makes me incredibly proud.”

SAFC were able to get on the board first after midfielder Jose Gallegos was taken down in the penalty area. Nathan stepped to the spot in the 18th minute and squeezed his shot past the Toros keeper for the 1-0 SAFC lead. RGV were able to equalize later in the first half when Carlos Azocar got on the end of an Adrian Vera pass in the box before dispatching his shot into the top corner of Matthew Cardone’s goal.

With both sides coming out in the second half looking for the winner, SAFC would take the lead on a counter-attack in the 35th minute. Justin Dhillon found himself in space down the left hand side before he squared the ball for Nathan who calmly scored his second goal of the game. With the brace, Nathan has scored seven goals in his last six games, and his three braces on the season are the most ever for an SAFC player. San Antonio was able to see out the match thanks to some strong defending and good goalkeeping from Cardone who made four saves on the night. The win marked the club’s fourth in the last six games as the second half of the season gets underway.

San Antonio FC will now travel to New York to face the Red Bulls II for the first time in team history next Saturday, before returning home to Toyota Field on August 21.

Scoring Summary:

SAFC: 1-0, Nathan (penalty) 18’

RGV: 1-1, Carlos Azocar (Adrian Vera assist) 35’

SAFC: 2-1, Nathan (Justin Dhillon assist) 58’

Disciplinary Summary:

RGV: Yellow Card (Grant Robinson) 38’

SAFC: Yellow Card (Jasser Khmiri) 49’

SAFC: Yellow Card (Mohammed Abu) 60’

RGV: Yellow Card (Baboucarr Njie) 78’

SAFC: Yellow Card (Matthew Cardone) 78’

RGV: Yellow Card (Erik Pimentel) 79’

Attendance: 3,496

SAFC Starting XI: GK: Matthew Cardone; D: Connor Maloney (c), Axel Sjoberg, Jasser Khmiri, Sam Gleadle; M: Mohammed Abu, Cam Lindley, Marcus Epps (Emil Cuello 66’), Jose Gallegos; F: Nathan, Justin Dhillon (Ollie Wright 72’)

Substitutions not used: Carlos Mercado, Joaquin Varela, Leo Torres, Chris Lema

Postgame Notes:

• SAFC forward Nathan was named the SWBC Man of the Match after scoring another two goals…with his tallies, Nathan now leads the team with seven goals and has scored seven in his last six matches…with his third brace of the season, Nathan has now recorded more braces than any other SAFC player in a single season in team history
• SAFC defeated RGV on the road to even the season series against their rivals, compiling a 1-1-2 record on the season…the win is the first at H-E-B Park since 8/28/20…SAFC have now won four of their last six matches on the season
• SAFC goalkeeper Matthew Cardone made four saves on the night to go along with 80.0 percent shot saved percentage…Cardone has made at least four saves in eight matches this year
• SAFC forward Justin Dhillon recorded his first assist of the season in his first start since 7/3 vs. Austin Bold
• SAFC defender Jasser Khmiri recorded three tackles, five clearances, two interceptions and two crucial blocks in the 90 minutes…also recorded a 78.1 percent passing accuracy and four aerial duels