Postgame Report
SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio FC had scoring chances but could not punch them home as they played to a 1-1 draw with the Tulsa Roughnecks FC (4-3-4) at Toyota Field on Saturday night.
The win saw SAFC extend their home unbeaten streak to six matches and improve to 4-0-1 against the Roughnecks all-time inside the friendly confines.
“For us tonight, I think we created as many opportunities in dangerous areas as we have all year and we didn’t execute,” SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell said. “The bottom line is everyone in that locker room wants more than tonight, but again as far as effort and determination to get that, I think it was clearly there for everyone to see.”
San Antonio got on the scoreboard early on as Brian Gomez put home a pass from Ever Guzman in the fifth minute, scoring a beautiful goal. Tulsa would level the match up at a goal apiece with a goal from Rodrigo de Costa off a set piece in the 12th minute. The goal was officially credited as an own goal by Matt Cardone but in reality, it was 99 percent Da Costa’s tally.
Despite both teams having solid chances in the second half, the game would end in a draw, with both teams picking up a point in the standings.
Here is what went good and bad for SAFC as well as three standout players: Ever Guzman, Cristian Parano, and Brian Gomez.
The Good:
- San Antonio kept their undefeated streak at home, pushing it to six games.
- SAFC got a point in the standings, which sees them still have a great chance at the top 10 despite some inconsistent play.
- Cristian Parano is nearly there as a complete player and is proving to be a solid pick up for San Antonio.
- Ever Guzman and the rest of the team looks to be on the brink of figuring out their chemistry.
The Bad:
- SAFC needs to get points at home, preferably three. Especially with this club struggling to win on the road.
- It is frustrating to not get three points when the chances have been there all season.
Three Standout Players:
Brian Gomez
Gomez scored his third of the season, putting home a beautiful pass from Ever Guzman to put San Antonio up a goal. He was strong in his attack all night along and nearly had a second one but it was gobbled up late.
Cristian Parano
Easily the best player on the field was the young kid. He used his speed to shred through Tulsa’s defense and getting three big scoring chances.
“Cristian is a very dangerous player,” Powell said. “He goes out there and was dangerous and aggressive. He still needs to evolve as a player but we’re very happy with what we’ve seen from him.”
Ever Guzman
The striker had two big chances, wide open ones, that just could not find the back of the net. Guzman had a solid night despite not finding the net as he played hard and was one of the main cogs in San Antonio’s offense.
“The back line has put some really good performances in and the attacking line has created their chances, and that is not easy to do. Our job now is from all of the pressure that we have, all of the good opportunities that we have — now can we convert and put us in positions to win the game.”
UP NEXT:
San Antonio FC will now hit the road to take on the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (3-4-4) at H-E-B Park next Saturday night at 7:30 pm Central Time.
