SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio FC closed out their SAFC International Showcase with a 2-4 loss to Pumas UNAM at Toyota Field on Friday night, despite some improved play from the club.
Despite the loss, SAFC played a much better game than they did on Tuesday night and used these two games to get some reps in.
“We’re incredibly proud of the collective,” said SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina. “To have the opportunity to compete in front of our fans against two Liga MX teams are memories that will last forever. This week the city of San Antonio got to see a total club identity. I’m incredibly proud of everybody. A lot of work has been put in from players, staff, and front office, and to be able to demonstrate that club identity this week is something we’ll remember forever, continue to build, and continue to get better.”
San Antonio got off to a strong start when Marcus Epps slipped behind the Pumas defense and sent a low pass into the box, where Nathan slotted it home. The goal for Nathan was his second in the International Showcase.
A look at @NathanFogaca7’s goal! pic.twitter.com/5EOykY0Drv
— San Antonio FC (@SanAntonioFC) July 10, 2021
SAFC’s lead didn’t last long because just three minutes later, Amaury Garcia scored with a shot to the low corner of the San Antonio net. Ten minutes later, SAFC took back the lead when Jasser Khmiri converted a header off a corner kick, putting San Antonio up 2-1 going into the second half.
The second 45 minutes belonged to the Pumas as they scored three goals in 13 minutes to nab the win. Juan Dinenno scored twice in a four-minute span the 76th and 80th minutes to make it 2-3 respectively before Washington Corozo sealed the win with a goal in the 90th minute.
JASSER!!! 💪😤 #Defend210 pic.twitter.com/32aaqQGsjV
— San Antonio FC (@SanAntonioFC) July 10, 2021
Now SAFC will have a weekend off to prepare to return to USL Championship play and will use what they learned in these last two games for the unofficial second half of the season.
“In these games, you got to see our club’s identity and style of play clearly,” SAFC Defender Marcus Epps said. “We had guys who are 15 years old making their debut and then you have veterans like myself, and you can see the consistency all the way through of being resilient, being aggressors on and off the ball and it was great to see everyone give their all on the field and perform well in these two games.”
UP NEXT:
San Antonio FC is 2-3-6 (12 points) on the season and will return to action next Saturday afternoon when they face Colorado Switchbacks FC (5-3-3) at 1 PM.
