When you are fighting for your playoff lives, every point matters. Every match matters. And every call made by officials matters. So, was inconsistent calls the reason SAFC comes home with one point in three matches?
No. Of course not. But that could be the reason they failed to get three points to end the trip.
San Antonio FC fell 0-1 to Arizona United SC inside Peoria Sports Complex on Saturday night to close out their three game road trip.
Arizona controlled the ball much of the first half, with goalkeeper Josh Ford making two key saves to keep the game level. San Antonio had an opportunity from Carlos Alvarez, but his shot went wide early. SAFC’s best chance came from Sebastien Thuriere, whose shot went off the crossbar in the 30th minute.
The home side took the lead in the 73rd minute when Long Tan sent a shot through the SAFC defense to find Tyler Blackwood, who beat Ford for the game-winner. SAFC Coach Darren Powell argued Blackwood was offside, but officials let play continue.
In stoppage time Franck Tayou had a chance for the equalizer, but was called offside. Controversially, it looked to be the exact same play that Blackwood was not called for.
The loss dropped SAFC from 12th to 13th in the West table with nine games to play.
Up next: San Antonio FC is now 6-8-7 (25 points) on the season and will return home to welcome Arizona United SC to Toyota Field on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.
