San Antonio FC has been quiet the past few weeks on the signing front, most of the roster has taken shape but there are slots that still need to be filled, in the past the USL would be in its second week of preseason with clubs having played at least one preseason match and getting ready for the upcoming regular season. This year, however, the USL Championship intends to start the regular season in a window mid spring. With still about two months before the start of the season, San Antonio FC still has work to do.
San Antonio FC currently sits with four forwards, eight midfielders and two keepers. The blaring shortage is on defense with only three officially signed. Liam Doyle, Connor Maloney and Axel Sjöberg are returning to the Alamo City Boys roster. In 2020, SAFC had nine defenders on the roster, for 2021 they still need four to six to fill out the defensive corps.
DEFENSE LOOKS THIN (FOR NOW)
From last year, Blake Smith retired, Mitch Taintor signed with Sacramento Republic. Still available are Josh Yaro, Hunter Gorskie, Kai Greene, youngsters Sebastian Mercado and Josh Ramsey.
From an off the grid report, Josh Yaro appears to not be returning to Spur and Stripes for the 2021 season. Hunter Gorskie might not return as well, although there may be a chance he returns. Kai Greene has also been quite this off season. We suspect that youngsters Mercado and Ramsey may return for another tenure.
It may take new signings to fill out the starters on defense, there’s plenty of USL Championship caliber talent to fit Alen Marcina’s vision to build a quality team.
BUILDING FOR A PLAYOFF RUN
Every coach and player will tell you, no matter the team sport, they take it game to game and not to get ahead of themselves. Deep down inside, somewhere in Alen Marcina’s futbol mind, the sting of an early exit from last year’s playoffs does not sit well. With the experience of the strikers on the squad, SAFC is looking just as stout as last year for scoring. Unfortunately, the offense sputtered at the wrong time. Look out for more consistency and pressure on the offense side of the ball.
SEASON OUTLOOK
The USL Championship is still ironing out how the season will shape out for the 2021 season. What we do know is the season is schedule to start between the end of April and the start of May. San Antonio will be placed in a division yet to be named, likely to be partners with all three Texas clubs, Colorado Springs Switchbacks, New Mexico United and Real Monarchs. With Austin Bold making some impact signings, RGV Toros bringing back Wilmar Cabrera to coach, El Paso also signed Luis Solignac, the Copa Tejas as well as the division will be a tough road to navigate.
Stay tuned for the offseason moves, rumors and rumblings around the San Antonio FC camp. Keep it locked on soysaf.com for the latest.
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