SAN ANTONIO — For the first time in over a year, San Antonio FC welcomed fans back at full capacity to Toyota Field but unfortunately, the local soccer club did not give them much to cheer about in their return.
Austin midfielder Alasanne Diouf’s goal in the opening minute was the difference as SAFC fell 0-1 to Austin in front of 6,243 fans.
The loss snaps San Antonio FC’s 18-game regular season unbeaten streak at home, falling inside the friendly confines of Toyota Field for the first time since 2019.
“I thought our guys performed very well, so this is difficult to accept,” SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina said. “Like every game, we created a number of clear-cut opportunities. We have to execute plain and simple. We have created more than enough to get the three points.”
Diouf finished off a cross from just inside the SAFC box just two minutes into the match to give the Bold the lead and ultimately, the win. San Antonio would have countless chances to draw even but, as we’ve seen many times this season, could not get the ball into the net.
San Antonio caught a break in the 60th minute when Austin’s Sean Okoli was ejected for sliding into SAFC goalkeeper Matt Cardone. The Bold bunkered down defensively and managed to hold SAFC off the scoreboard.
The result is not ideal for San Antonio FC or their fans, who were hoping the month of July would bring a turnaround. SAFC was 0-1-4 and are 0-2-3 in their last five games. As a result, they sit on the outside looking in the playoff picture.
“I think we created enough chances to score and win the game,” SAFC midfielder Cam Lindley said. “At the same time, we can’t give up a goal in the first two minutes. We have to execute on both sides of the ball. It is not just on the attackers, we have to execute better as a defensive group.”
UP NEXT:
San Antonio FC will take a break from USL Championship play as they host Liga MX side Queretaro FC at 7:30 p.m at Toyota Field as part of the first-ever SAFC International Showcase.
