Your S.A. Athenians traveled East to take on a big division rival this weekend, The Shreveport Lady Rafters. If you remember, the Lady Rafters defeated The Athenians in their WPSL opening game here in San Antonio. This past Saturday was a different story in what could only be described as a grudge match. Continue reading
Your San Antonio Athenians will be heading up North this weekend to battle the I-35 corridor against Austin Elite, and Lonestar SC. The girls have been training hard this week, as they prepare to battle their neighbors to the North.
We saw an amazing battle Friday night under the lights at Blossom Stadium. The San Antonio Athenians faced the Texas Titans from Katy in a rubber match of sorts. They faced off a week ago in Katy, and the SA Athenians were able to steal 3 points with a late goal by Allison Fahey from a header.
This match-up is turning out to be a huge rivalry here in the Lone star State. The 1st half was a exciting 47′ from the whistle. The lone card of the evening was given to coach of the Texas Titans in the 18′ after some interaction with S.A. Athenian fans. Huge turnout at Blossom 1,061 in official attendance to #TurnBlossomPurple
S.A. Athenians really fought it out on the pitch. We saw both teams attacking well in the middle, but each of the back 4’s really stepping up in the first half on their defensive ends. Texas Titans keeper Lovejoy had some amazing saves, until Ana Campa was able to find the back of the net in the 31′ from a amazing strike from about 40 yards out. Shelbi Miller with a great assist dropping the ball back.
The 2nd half the Titans came out again attacking from the kickoff. We saw this last week when we covered them in Katy. The big difference in this match is the SA Athenians were able to match the pace. Momentum started to shift in the Athenians favor after the 1st 10 minutes, as they started to build more attacks. They were able to hold on to the 1-0 lead, and ended up gaining another 3 points. That’s 4 wins in a row for your S.A. Athenians, as they head to Austin next weekend for another derby.
Shelbi Miller and Gabriela Lopez had outstanding performances on the defensive end. Shelbi was filling in for Lisa Tomendenhal, and had some big cleats to fill. She came through for her team in the air on the defensive end to stop the Texas Titans attack. The few that did get through GK Gabriela Lopez was able to come up big on with some great saves to keep the clean sheet. The whole team played very well, and their talent was on full display in front of a great crowd .
Thank you to everyone who donated cleats to our used cleat drive. We want to invite all the Athenians fans out to Freetail at 4035 N Loop 1604 Sunday 6pm for our Soy_SAF Happy Hour, and weekend recap. Congrats on another 3 points. #AthenaStrong #KickLikeAGirl
I heard it mentioned with less than 10 minutes into the first half that Diego Restrepo leads the USL in clean sheets with 4. What they failed to mention was the fact he ranks 31st in saves with only 12, 4 saves behind Matt Cardone who has played fewer games at this point due to a lower body injury.
Not to take anything away from either Cardone or Restrepo, who had an amazing save in the 16th minute, I feel too many people fail to realize the biggest force of the back 5, the back 4.
Sebastian Ibeagha, Ben Newman, Stephen McCarthy, and Greg Cochrane have all played just as big of a role as both Matt Cardone and Diego Restrepo. Lee Johnson also had a great performance after shrugging off some 1st start jitters vs the Houston Dutch Lions in San Antonio FC’s first 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match. Cyprian Hedrick also had his debut returning from injury, and came up with a big tackle to prevent the equalizer late in the 2nd half.
Let’s start with Sebastain Ibeagha who not only has come up big on the defensive end leading San Antonio FC’s back four with 20 interceptions, but also leads the back 4 with shots, and shots on goal being 7 and 4 respectively. I feel a goal coming for him soon. Ben Newnam has not only been huge in coming up big on the last line of defense, but also transitioning into the offense. With 54% of his passes moving forward 2nd only behind Greg Cochrane who is at 57% of passes moving forward. Both Cochrane and Newnam have been huge in building up the attack out of the back.
Last but not least we have Stephen McCarthy who has the most experience at the highest level, playing 69 games from 2011-2014 in the MLS with the New England Revolution, drafted 24th overall in the MLS SuperDraft. He has also dominated 83.3% of aerial 50/50 balls.
Not to take anything away from Matt Cardone, Diego Restrepo, or Lee Johnson, all have made outstanding efforts, but San Antonio FC’s back 4 is a defensive line I’m sure any keeper in the USL would love to play behind. Here’s to a hopeful clean sheet, and another great effort by San Antonio FC’s back 5.
What inaugural loss?
San Antonio Athenians Bounce Back After taking a 2-0 loss in their opening match Thursday May 18. The Purple Brigade rallied back two days later to leave no doubt that the WPSL’s newest team means business in the league. Continue reading
Soy_SAF has had a busy week, just wanted to write a quick update for those who might have missed any of the action. We traveled Wednesday out to Conroe to witness San Antonio FC’s 1st 2017 Lamar Hunt Open Cup match vs the Houston Dutch Lions F.C.
San Antonio FC was on the attacking end for most of the 1st half. Very impressive performance from Mark O’Ojong. He did a great job controlling the ball in the middle of the field, and finding the attacking lanes. The 1st goal came from Victor Araujo off a free kick he placed under the wall to the far post about midway through the 1st half. Lee Johnston made some impressive stops as the game progressed in his debut.
Aly Alberto Hassan scored the 2nd goal for San Antonio FC off a defensive error by the Houston Dutch Lions to make it 2-0 at the half. However, it was the Houston Dutch Lions who came out hungry in the 2nd half, and were able to score one off a clearance that deflected off a San Antonio FC player due to their pressure on the back four.
San Antonio was able to hang on to the win under the offensive assault of the Dutch Lions in the 2nd half, and will advance to the next round vs Tulsa Roughnecks at Tulsa. The winner will face 2016 Champion FC Dallas in the 4th round. Thank you so much to the Houston Dutch Lions for their hospitality, best of luck in your season.
Thursday we packed up and headed to Blossom for a historic evening. The S.A. Athenians faced off against the Shreveport Lady Rafters in the 1st ever Womens Professional soccer match here in San Antonio.
The story was much the same as to that of San Antonio FC. The ladies played very well in the 1st half, but were unable to capitalize. Lots of chances by Michelle Hogan, Becca Mays, and Sam Batley, but the half would end 0-0. In the 2nd half it was the Lady Rafters that came out of the locker room ready to play.
The Rafters were able to capitalize off two Athenian mistakes on their defensive end that resulted in breakaways with keeper Sydney Huntsinger. The match would end 2-0. Both Sydney and Gabriella Lopez, who played keeper in the 1st half, had outstanding performances.
Saturday we will be attending the Mission City Firm used clothes drive from 3pm-5pm, then heading to Blossom to broadcast the S.A. Athenians next match vs the Houston South Select at 6pm. Then its back to Toyota Field to see San Antonio FC maintain their undefeated season. Crazy week of futbol stay tuned to Soy_SAF on Facebook and Twitter. We will keep you updated, and dont forget about our used cleat drive during the month of May.
SA Athenians SC once again displayed the highest level of fútbol quality against Liga MX Women’s Champion, Las Tuzas de Pachuca! Continue reading
San Antonio Athenians Soccer Club of the Womens Premier Soccer League, debuted in San Antonio for the first time in the history of the Alamo City at Blossom Soccer Stadium West Field last Friday 5th of May.
And San Antonio responded! 1,021 fans in the stands and 700 viewing in Facebook Live Broadcast provided by Soy_SAF.
The months of March and April have tested and answered many early questions about SAFC, and it has brought to light one very strong truth that San Antonio Fútbol Club is one solid, undefeated team. Continue reading
Con un cambio de campo del lateral Shawn Chin y un zurdaso de Kris Tyrpak, San Antonio FC empato el partido y pudo permanecer invicto. Un comienzo grandioso para el equipo en esta temporada 2017. Continue reading
Fotografia: Soy_SAF
Johnson H.S
Fue una noche histórica para los muchachos de Johnson H.S y el equipo femenino de Steele H.S. Ambos equipos han ganado su pasado a la cuarta ronda del Torneo UIL Texas HS Soccer en la Region IV-6A por la primera en la historia de ambas escuelas. Continue reading
Están los dos equipos de nuestra región de San Antonio ya puestos para una batalla de fútbol escolar en la Región 6 del Torneo Escolar de Campeonato de Fútbol de Texas.
Los Jaguares de Johnson (S.A) (16-3-3) se enfrentarán contra los Cavaliers de Lake Travis (15-5-3) de Austin, TX el Martes 4, Abril en Blossom- West Soccer Stadium a las 7:30, los equipos buscarán su paso a las semifinales del Torneo. Continue reading
Los Medio-campistas Michael Reed y Rafa Castillo celebran su gol contra el portero Jon Kempin de LA Galaxy
San Antonio Fútbol Club protagonizó frente a una multitud agotada de 8.081 aficionados. Los medio-campistas de la plata y negro, Rafa Castillo y Michael Reed con el delantero Billy Forbes electrificaron el estadio y les dio a los espectadores una noche para recordar.
Jugara San Antonio FC en Frisco, TX contra FC Dallas para cerrar pretemporada 19Marzo
1-1 tie in Toyota Field San Antonio Tx. 3,400 fans were present for preseason play.
En su penúltimo partido de juego se enfrentaron Tulsa Roughnecks to Oklahoma. Presentes estaban 3, 400 aficionados de SAFC y apreciaron goles de Billy Forbes de San Antonio y gol de Jaime Ayala de Tulsa seis minutos después. Continue reading
Se enfrentaron en la Florida los dos equipos para juego de pretemporada y como todo siempre la barra de Mission City Firm 118 a el Facebook Live de San Antonio FC.
Termino con un 0-0. Hubo mucha energía en el campo ya que se acerca el cierre de la pretemporada y buscan finalizar el plantel ambos equipos. Aqui esta un vistazo a el partido de hoy.
Fotografia: San Antonio FC, No.7 Victor Araujo
Asi es. 0-1-3! En la actualidad 0-1-4, si cuentan la goleada 4-0 que nos dio el equipo MLS Houston Dynamo en el torneo U.S. Open Cup. La mala racha que ha tenido San Antonio contra Los Toros de el Valle de Río Grande ha dado mucho por lo cual hablar.
Fotografia: San Antonio FC/ Minnesota United FC
Se vieron los dos equipos ya conocidos en un juego de pretemporada en la Florida. Los dos equipos bajo ahora circunstancias muy diferentes desde sus días en NASL. Minnesota jugando su temporada de inauguracion con la Major League Soccer “Div.PRO” de la United States Soccer Federation (USSF) y San Antonio en liga USL “Div 2 PRO”. El partido fue visto vía Facebook live de San Antonio FC. En total fue visto por 2.7K con 300 comentarios. Los aficionados de Mission City Firm 118 estuvieron muy activos durante el partido via Facebook Live Chat.
Fotografia: Phoenix Rising FC Comm.
Anuncio Phoenix Rising FC de Arizona el 9 de febrero 2017 de que ellos habian llegado a un acuerdo y firmaron al goleador más destacado del equipo Mexicano, Las Chivas de Guadalajara. Importante porque nuestro equipo San Antonio FC jugaran, 20 de Mayo 2017, en Toyota Field San Antonio contra Phoenix. Sera una buena batalla en la cancha para los dos equipos.
La temporada se presentó con sus altibajos, destaca y una dosis de adversidad, pero al final fue una temporada fuerte para el entrenador Darren Powell y la tropa de San Antonio FC.
Fotografía: San Antonio FC
Después de que SS&E ubiesen recivido la franquicia bajo la liga de USL, la organización tuvo poco tiempo para construir un equipo en la cual pudiese competir a nivel. Al comenzar Enero 2016, el equipo ni tenia nombre, solamente conocidos como USL San Antonio sin embargo de eso, anunciaron que el técnico Darren Powell seria su primer empleado y que el estaría encargado de todos los asuntos en el campo.
Así comienza nuestra historia. Con un anuncio! La ciudad Tejana de San Antonio, tiene equipo. Se levantó la bandera con el escudo de honor en San Antonio, Texas. Llego San Antonio FC.
Ha pasado ya un año desde que Spurs Sports and Entertainment (SS&E) anuncio de que formarían un equipo de fútbol con la intención de lograr llegar a la liga MLS (Major League Soccer). Tomarian cargo de el equipo formalmente conocido como San Antonio Scorpions que hace dos años era una franquicia de la NASL. Continue reading
Amo el futbol! Amo San Antonio! AMO SAN ANTONIO FUTBOL CLUB. Cuando San Antonio anunció que tendrán un equipo con la meta que sea MLS… la emoción fue !GRANDE! y en Deciembre 2015 decide comprar boletos de temporada. NO ME ARREMPETI!
La temporada 2016 fue de mucho corazón, muchas ganas y sobre todo… Pasion de los jugadores para nuestro club. Nunca bajaron las manos y jamás se dieron por vencido. Continue reading
