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For the second and final time time in 2022 San Antonio FC and the Phoenix Rising squared off in the USL Championship regular season. San Antonio FC was looking to get even after a 2-0 loss at home on April 2nd. Phoenix Rising was looking to sweep the season series after a 3-0 loss to the LA Galaxy II the week prior.
San Antonio FC was facing a Phoenix Rising team that was struggling and coming off a loss for the second time and failed to take advantage of the reeling Arizona club. In the prior match with Phoenix, San Antonio FC had numerous injuries and the roster was spread thin. This time the Alamo City were near full strength, with just three on the injured list. But it was the Rising that would be the better of two clubs on Saturday night.
Early on, it look like San Antonio FC would take control and the early lead. In the 12th minute, a crucial mistake by Phoenix Rising Goalkeeper, Benjamin Lundt rolled a pass to a Rising defender and was quickly intercepted by Justin Dhillon in the final third and found Elliot Collier at the top of the box, Collier made a back heel pass to PC who took a shot at goal by Lundt was able to get back and make the save.
Scoring opened in the 26th minute when Phoenix Rising Striker Greg Hurst redirected a header from about 12 yards out, nothing that Jordan and the defense could do on a well placed shot.
Hurst did not take long to find the back of the net, another fantastic goal by the Rising Striker, the assist from Njie was chested and beautifully one timed with a spin and shot on goal that got past SAFC’s keeper Jordan Farr.
Phoenix Rising would add one more late to finish off San Antonio FC 3-0 and had SAFC the second loss of the season.
San Antonio FC performance was not a bad one despite the score line, SAFC offense was able to get 25 shots and 7 of them on goal. Jordan Farr was able to make six saves on the night. Phoenix Rising was able to figure out and crack the defense of SAFC for the second time this year.
Not all Bad News
The loss was only the second of the year for SAFC, both at the hands of Phoenix Rising. SAFC did not lose position in the USL Western Conference Table, remaining in second. The Alamo City Boys fall back three points behind Colorado Springs but have two matches head to head with the first on the 21st of May at Toyota Field.
By the Numbers
San Antonio FC has conceded just seven goals in nine matches this season, five of those goals were conceded to Phoenix in the two head to head meetings
SAFC defender Fabien Garcia leads all of the USL Championship with 59 Clearances, Mitch Taintor is 5th with 44 Clearances.
Jordan Farr is fourth in all of the USL Championship with 24 saves and tied for second with four clean sheets
Head Coach Alen Marcina
(On the loss…)
“That was an incredibly difficult team, we know Phoenix is one of the best teams in the league. They took their opportunities well, scored some nice goals. That being said, we created a number of chances, but unfortunately tonight we weren’t clinical enough in the boxes. It’s a little bit disappointing we didn’t leave here with something, but we’ll learn, reflect and move on.”
Up next is a fourth round match in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. San Antonio FC with travel to Space City to face MLS side Houston Dynamo. The Dynamo won the US Open Cup in 2018. It the third time in club history that SAFC will be in the fourth round of the Open Cup. Falling to the Dynamo 4-0 in 2016 and FC Dallas 1-0 in 2019. Winner will reach the round of 16 and a shot of glory.
Soy San Antonio Fútbol 