HIGHLIGHTS:
EL PASO – An unfortunate bounce in stoppage time saw San Antonio FC (8-1-3) fall for the first time in the 2020 season, a 1-2 defeat to the El Paso Locomotive (6-2-3) at Southwest University Park on Saturday night.
Despite the loss, SAFC is still in a prime position to clinch not only a playoff berth but also claim the top spot in Group D with two matches next week at Toyota Field.
“We stressed it all week and we experienced it tonight, but it’s about details,” SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina said. “The details cost us late and we will learn from this game. There were a lot of positives, and we will grow and continue to get better.”
Both teams went back and forth early but the hosts broke the scoreless tie in the 25th minute. San Antonio’s Callum Montgomery was called for a foul after a hard collision with Josue Aaron Gomez in the box. Gomez stepped up and drilled the penalty, just getting the ball past the fingertips of SAFC goalkeeper Matt Cardone.
SAFC answered back three minutes later with a penalty kick of their own after Ignacio Bailone was dragged down by El Paso’s Andrew Fox in the box. Luis Solignac stepped up and put home the goal, his seventh of the season to make it a 1-1 match after 45 minutes.
The second half saw both club firing on the net but could not come up with the go-ahead goal. That changed late in stoppage time when Dylan Mares sent in a curling shot that deflected off SAFC defender Mitchell Taintor and into the net, giving El Paso all three points.
“It’s a team made of players with grit,” Marcina said. “We know it’s going to be a good response on Wednesday. Now it’s about recovering and preparing for our next opponent.”
UP NEXT:
San Antonio FC is now 8-1-3 (27 points) on the season and will return to the pitch on Wednesday night when they welcome the Austin Bold (3-2-6) at 8 p.m. from Toyota Field.
