Jake LaCava scores decisive early objective for SAFC
SAN ANTONIO (June 28, 2025) – San Antonio FC remained excellent within the USL Jägermeister Cup with its third straight win within the match, defeating Union Omaha 1-0 Saturday.
San Antonio took benefit of a miscue of an Omaha miscue in objective as Jake LaCava pounced on a rebounded shot to attain the game-winning objective within the ninth minute.
In his first skilled begin, homegrown expertise Joey Batrouni made three saves to submit his first clear sheet and the crew’s third within the competitors.
SAFC closes out group-stage play on Saturday, July 26, when it hosts New Mexico United for an opportunity to maneuver onto the knockout spherical.
Scoring Abstract:
SA: Jake LaCava 9’
Subsequent Up
San Antonio FC returns to league play subsequent week, touring to Copa Tejas rival El Paso Locomotive FC on Friday, July 4. Kickoff is about for 8:00 p.m. CT, and the match will probably be broadcast on ESPN+. The tenth anniversary season is introduced by Toyota.
Postgame Notes:
SAFC improves to 3-0-0 within the USL Jägermeister Cup, remaining in first place within the Group 2 standings.
San Antonio evens the all-time collection with Union Omaha at 1-1-0, avenging its loss within the U.S. Open Cup again in April.
With a win or attract regulation in opposition to New Mexico on July 26, SAFC will clinch Group 2 and transfer onto the knockout spherical of the Jägermeister Cup.
Ahead Jake LaCava bagged his second objective throughout all competitions this season, each being game-winning scores.
Former Ricos SAFC Professional Academy member and San Antonio native Joey Batrouni made his first skilled begin and shutout.
San Antonio outshot Omaha 14-11, main the Owls in pictures on course 6-2.
SAFC is the one crew in USL Championship and League One to not enable a objective in USL Jägermeister Cup play with a trio of fresh sheets via its first three matches.
Attendance: 6,183
SAFC Beginning XI: Joey Batrouni, Rece Buckmaster (Alexis Souahy 90’), Mitchell Taintor (Captain), Alex Crognale, Nelson Flores Blanco, Almir Soto, Lucio Berron, Nicky Hernandez (Jimmy Medranda 65’), Luke Haakenson (Juan Agudelo 82’), Andres Paredes, Jake LaCava (Dmitrii Erofeev 65’)
Substitutions Not Used: Shannon Gomez, Dyllan Mendoza, Angel Mercado, Daniel Namani, Abdi Salim
Disciplinary Abstract:
SA: Yellow Card (Lucio Berron) 27’
OMA: Yellow Card (Max Schneider) 43’
OMA: Yellow Card (Charlie Ostrem) 51’
SA: Yellow Card (Nicky Hernandez) 56’
OMA: Yellow Card (Kwaku Owusu) 69’
OMA: Yellow Card (Patricio Botello-Faz) 72’
OMA: Yellow Card (Joe Gallardo) 83’
OMA: Yellow Card (Marco Milanese) 90+5’
Quotes:
Head Coach Carlos Llamosa
(On the win…)
“Proud of the end result, we obtained one other win. Some components of the sport had been good. I imagine we created possibilities. As I say at all times, that you must put these possibilities away. You understand, on the finish, may very well be 3-0, 4-0, however to complete that recreation 1-0 with the quantity of alternatives that we created one-vs-one in opposition to their goalie that half, I feel we have to be higher, however I at all times instructed the blokes, regardless of how stunning or how unhealthy we play, make certain we stroll off the sector with the end result, and tonight was a type of video games. We don’t put our greatest efficiency on the market, however we get the end result.”
(On the crew not conceding a objective within the match…)
“They’ve been extra compact. I stated that is extra work teamwork, not solely the again line of defenders. On Wednesday, Daniel [Namani] was nice in objective. Everyone else, together with the academy children, defensively, they did nicely, and tonight, Joey was good in objective, and as a crew, I feel we had been good, strong … We performed in opposition to an excellent crew in Omaha. They transfer the ball nicely they usually create possibilities, however I feel we defended nicely in entrance of the opposite objective.”
(On the academy gamers stepping up within the week…)
“The great factor right here is we are able to have these children every day with us, with the primary crew, so we make certain they know what we wish to play, how we wish to play, with the ball, with out the ball, and I imply, they did their homework, as a result of these guys, they’re not afraid to step in. You understand, after they get the decision of you’re taking part in, beginning, otherwise you’re taking part in within the second half, they’re able to carry out. They don’t look scared. They play like professionals, and I’m proud of that half. I wish to thank and congratulate the academy coaches, as a result of they’ve been doing an incredible job with these children.”
Defender Mitchell Taintor
(On the crew’s efficiency…)
“Yeah, I assumed it was good. I assumed there have been loads of positives. Once more, we haven’t conceded a objective within the Jägermeister Cup, which is a good basis to construct on. It’s onerous to lose video games while you’re not giving up objectives. We created loads of actually, actually good possibilities. Hopefully subsequent time, we are able to put these away, and the sport could be a lot simpler for us, however actually blissful that we’re creating loads of possibilities, and I feel defensively, we’ve been actually tight on this match.”
(On taking part in with Joey Batrouni in objective…)
“Yeah, it was nice. Truthfully, I really feel like we’ve a very good goalkeeper union. All the blokes are nice. They’re actually motivated externally and internally, so it’s nice to see all three goalies having success this 12 months. I feel it’s once more, going again to the muse that we wish to construct from the bottom up, and it does begin with them, so we’ve full confidence in these guys, they usually have the identical confidence in us, and, yeah, it’s a very good feeling that every one three goalkeepers could make massive saves when they should play at their ft and get shout outs, and have that profitable mentality, in order that was large.”
(On internet hosting New Mexico within the closing Jägermeister Cup match …)
“To be sincere, I do know within the standings it seems like we’ve wiggle room, however we left that New Mexico recreation with a bitter style in our mouth, and we’re gonna be raring to go for that Jägermeister Cup recreation, and we wish all three factors.”
Goalkeeper Joey Batrouni
(On the win…)
“I feel throughout we had been strong, you understand, put possibilities away shortly, obtained a primary objective actually quick. We might have completed much more, however we obtained the job accomplished, saved the clear sheet, obtained the three factors and it was an excellent crew effort.”
(On taking part in again residence in entrance of family and friends…)
“You understand, it hits near residence. You understand, being from right here, rising up within the academy, the coaches introduced me up after I was a child, and it’s been actually particular. Being from town as nicely, it’s one thing that I’ve at all times dreamed of to play for the primary crew, and never solely play for the primary crew, get a win and get a clear sheet too in my debut.”
(On getting ready for his skilled debut…)
“We’ve been coaching fairly nicely these previous few weeks. I used to be instructed that I used to be taking part in this recreation, so I used to be fairly nicely ready … I’ve an excellent mentor. Coach Juan [Lamadrid], he’s ready me since I used to be slightly child. He’s the one which introduced me right here to the academy and taught me all the pieces I do know, so he’s the massive cause.
