As San Antonio FC heads into the postseason this weekend, they know the stakes at hand. Win or go home. Their opponent is Tulsa Roughnecks FC, a team they have great success over the years with. However, there is one player that SAFC fans and players are hoping continues to stay hot.
Ever Guzman.
After a slow start, Guzman seems to have found his footing. He was named the USL Player of the Week after scoring two goals in SAFC’s 3-1 win over Rio Grande Valley last weekend. Overall, he has tallied four goals in three matches, including the tying goal to preserve a point in San Antonio’s 1-1 draw with the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Since signing midseason, Guzman has come into his form. Scoring goals, finding players in their spots, and that has gotten the attention of SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell.
“Ever has evolved over the last six weeks,” Powell told me after training on Thursday. “What he does is he comes every day to make sure he’s put his best effort in. He’s able to find different spaces and pockets for when the ball is central or when the ball is wide. He has a good mind and has done a good job. We hope we see continue to see him improve.”
One of the teammates he has connected well with is fan favorite Billy Forbes. Guzman found Forbes for the opening goal of the match in the first half last Saturday. In the second half, Forbes returned the favor as he assisted on Guzman’s goal.
Forbes has found his form as of late and for SAFC to be successful in the postseason, will need him to continue “Being Billy” as the saying goes. With Forbes and Guzman both scoring threats, it makes San Antonio even more dangerous to defend for opposing teams.
“Billy is a great player and he can score goals,” Guzman said through a translator. “He can create chances and everybody knows that but its not just us, the attacking players. Its a team chemistry that starts from the back with our goalkeeper.”
With SAFC owning the league’s best home record with only one loss, a massive support fan base at Toyota Field, and Ever and Billy forming chemistry at the right time – San Antonio could hopefully be in for a long playoff run to their first title.
Perhaps Ever summed it up best.
“If everybody does their job like they have been, we have a very good chance of succeeding,” he said.
