SAFC, San Antonio FC, soccer, futbol, USL, USL Championship, Toyota Subject
San Antonio FC performs Antigua GFC on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, at Toyota Subject in San Antonio. (Darren Abate/USL Championship)
Luke Haakenson and Mohamed Omar rating their first targets for the membership
SAN ANTONIO (February 24, 2024) – San Antonio FC picked up a 2-0 win in its first preseason match open to the general public, defeating Guatemalan aspect Antigua GFC at Toyota Subject Saturday.
Luke Haakenson struck first for San Antonio, chesting down a go from Jorge Hernandez and hanging from distance to place SAFC up early within the tenth minute.
Kendall McIntosh, Mohamed Omar and Bura Nogueira took the pitch for the second half alongside SAFC Professional Academy gamers. Omar capitalized off a set piece alternative to double SAFC’s lead within the 57th minute, whereas McIntosh made a fingertip save within the remaining 10 minutes to protect the group’s first clear sheet of the yr.
Subsequent Up
San Antonio FC cap off its preseason slate Saturday, March 2, internet hosting Austin FC II in a closed-door pleasant. The 2024 common season offered by Toyota will open towards Loudoun United Saturday, March 9 at Toyota Subject. Tickets are on sale now at SanAntonioFC.com or on the SAFC app.
Scoring Abstract:
SAFC: 1-0, Luke Haakenson (Assisted by Jorge Hernandez) 10’
SAFC: 2-0, Mohamed Omar (Assisted by Bura Nogueira) 57’
Attendance: 4,683
SAFC Beginning XI: Pablo Sisniega, Lucas Silva, Shannon Gomez, Mitchell Taintor, Kendall Burks, Carter Manley, Luke Haakenson, Mohammed Abu, Kevon Lambert, Jorge Hernandez, Santiago Patiño
Quotes:
Head Coach Alen Marcina
(On the group’s efficiency…)
“I’m pleased with the blokes’ dedication to execute the sport mannequin rules. Basically that’s what we’re in search of and looking for in preseason. It’s much less concerning the outcome and extra about us and creating that group identification. I’m actually, actually proud that we bought to showcase that in entrance of our followers. I did say previous to the beginning of preseason that we’ve advanced our sport mannequin. I believe everyone noticed it. We dominated with the ball and we dominated with out the ball, so we’re happy however loads of room for development forward.”
(On having 4 completely different objective scorers in preseason…)
“Very proud of all of them. It’s good to see that you’ve got various completely different gamers that may put the ball at the back of the online. That makes us very, very harmful when you may’t solely hone in on one or two gamers.”
(On the group’s advanced model…)
“If you happen to take a look at information during the last 4 years, we’re the primary group within the Western Convention for many wins, most factors, so it will be foolish to take away the foundational rules. Nevertheless, I do imagine personally each three, 4 years you wish to evolve, so the problem was how can we be higher with the ball. That’s what we’re engaged on this yr, and there’s gonna be some rising pains for among the guys. They’ve to interrupt some habits after which study some new ones, however that’s a part of the method. The fellows have carried out improbable so far, and , we nonetheless have a protracted methods to go, although.”
Midfielder Luke Haakenson
(On connecting with Hernandez for his first objective…)
“Jorge picks up nice spots, credit score to him. The go was unimaginable and places me in an amazing spot. I’ve actually loved enjoying with him to this point in preseason and I’m certain we’ll be capable of join like that because the season goes on.”
(On the group constructing cohesion throughout preseason…)
“I’d say truly for those who take a look at our squad, there’s actually no purpose with the quantity of expertise that we have now that we shouldn’t be placing it collectively this fast. You take a look at the standard that we have now, the place guys have performed, the place they’re coming from and the expertise, , I’d nearly count on us to be at this level. But it surely does really feel simple and , I’m excited. I believe we bought yet one more sport subsequent weekend to prepare, however all eyes are on that first weekend official sport, so constructing in direction of that.”
Midfielder Mohamed Omar
(On what led as much as his objective…)
“I simply form of took an opportunity and went on the blind aspect of my defender and the ball occurred to get there, and yeah, only a tap-in, however I believed it was a superb supply and simply good from the group as a complete.”
(On the group’s total efficiency…)
“Actually, I believed it was a very good efficiency from the entire group. From the primary group within the first half to the second group that got here on, I actually felt like we saved the momentum going. There wasn’t actually a drop off within the second half, and that was actually nice to see … It’s actually encouraging to see a variety of the issues we’ve been engaged on in preseason coming collectively into one unified efficiency.”
(On the academy gamers’ development…)
“I believe all of it comes right down to them and their mentality, I believe. Alen’s been preaching a champion-minded mentality for us all preseason, and that’s not simply with the primary group; that’s by the academy as properly. And a variety of these boys , credit score to them, all of them got here out and carried out very well tonight.”
