SAN ANTONIO (Fwrd Axis) — San Antonio FC kicked off the Fourth of July holiday weekend with a 2-0 win over the Charleston Battery (2-12-3) at Toyota Field on Saturday night in the final professional match for goalkeeper Matt Cardone.
The victory gives San Antonio 40 points on the season and sole position of first place both in the Western Conference and the USL Championship. The match also marks the final professional game for Cardone, who is retiring after six seasons.
“We mentioned to the guys at the end, that we’re exactly at the midpoint,” SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina said. We’re number one in the Western Conference and number one overall. First team to 40 points … That in itself is a big accomplishment. That being said, it’s 50 percent of the season and we still have 50 percent to go.”
Santiago Patiño opened the scoring in the 29th minute when he put home the rebound off a shot from Shannon Gomez to put San Antonio up a goal going into the second half.
SAFC continued to push forward on the attack and it paid off in the 66th minute when Justin Dhillon connected with Ignacio Bailone to put San Antonio up 2-0. The goal was Bailone’s second of the season.
In the 77th minute, Cardone came into the match to replace Jordan Farr for his first appearance of the season and final of his career. Cardone retires as SAFC’s all-time leader in saves, appearances and minutes played. Oh, and one massive beard.
“It’s been an amazing adventure,” Cardone said of his retirement. “All the guys in this league bounce around year to year, I’m so happy it’s worked out for me here, getting to stay in my hometown and go up the ranks and be with this great club for so long. … It’s been so special, I reflected on it, which I’ve been doing a lot this week, it’s been a really special experience and it means a lot to me. I’m never going to forget it.”
UP NEXT:
San Antonio FC is now 13-3-1 (40 points) on the season and will return to the pitch on July 16 to face Atlanta United FC 2 at 8 PM from Toyota Field.
