The Final Word: SAFC squeeze three points from Orange County SC

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It was a match surely circled on at least some of the SAFC players’ and staff’s calendar. It was the rematch of the USL Western Conference Final in which SAFC fell in penalties to Orange County SC last year. SAFC traveled to Irvine, California looking to get three points after a US Open Cup victory on Wednesday night.

Cubo Torres, once a highly touted striker for Mexico and has had a successful career in Liga MX and MLS had a couple of chances to score but Jordan Farr was able to make some great saves.

The deadlock was broken in the 60th minute when Mitch Taintor was able to force a turnover in Orange County’s final third and cross it to the far post to find Elliot Collier who was able to put away a tight angle goal.

It was all that the Alamo City Boys needed and walked away with three points and little bit of satisfaction after last season’s Western Conference Final result.

Head Coach Alen Marcina

(On the match result…)

“We knew it was going to be a big test, a big challenge. And the guys were up for the challenge. They performed extremely well, from the opening whistle to the last minute of the game and I’m incredibly proud of the collective.”

Defender Mitchell Taintor

(On last season’s playoff loss to OCSC…)

“I’ve thought about that game every day since that happened. That hurt a lot and coming back here, that was one that was marked on the calendar, especially for the guys that were returning. This is one that we all wanted to win.”

By The Numbers

Jassir Khmiri made his second consecutive start, Open Cup on Wednesday and first 2022 USL Championship appearance on Saturday as part of the Starting XI.

Jordan Farr recorded 6 saves and the Clean Sheet

It was the first win for SAFC against OCSC since 2017

Mitch Taintor recorded 5 clearances, 3 interceptions and the assist earning Man of the Match

Up Next

San Antonio FC is now 4-1-0 with 12 points and are third in the Western Conference. SAFC returns home to face in state rival El Paso Locomotive in a Copa Tejas match on Saturday April 16th, SAFC will face MLS side Austin FC in the US Open Cup on April 20th at Toyota Field. It will be the first ever competitive match between SAFC and Austin FC.