SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio FC picked up their first win of the 2024 season on Saturday night, blanking Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 2-0 at Toyota Field.
The win comes as SAFC remained perfect on the young season after earning two consecutive draws in the first few weeks of the season.
SAFC broke the scoreless tie in the second half when Jorge Hernandez put a cross into the box and defender Lucas Silva put home the ball through traffic in the 75th minute to put the home side up a goal.
San Antonio forward Hugo Mbongue extended the lead for SAFC with a goal in second half stoppage time to lock in the win.
Here are three key points from SAFC’s win over Colorado Springs on Saturday:
Feeling the growth
SAFC’s win combined with their hard fought point last weekend shows the team is growing. After giving up a late goal in their opening match only to get the later goal and secure an insurance goal Saturday shows the club has grown through three matches.
“I think it shows a lot of maturity as a team when we were able to get that second goal tonight and close it out,” SAFC Goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega said. “The first game where they were playing with 10 men, and we had opportunities to finish off the game, we didn’t take them. To get that second goal to kill off a game just shows that we’re a growing team and a mature team.”
Locked in
San Antonio looked locked in from the opening whistle, being tight on their defensive rotations and built a wall around Sisniega. Colorado had 11 total shots but San Antonio’s defense blocked five of those and Sisniega made two saves.
“They earned it, and they deserved it. Again, our pressing actions have been very, very good,” SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina said. “We mentioned about some of their key players, and (Ronaldo) Damus and (Maalique) Foster are extremely dangerous, some of the best attacking players in this league, and we did well to manage them. Those aren’t easy players to manage, so all-in-all proud.”
A debut for the ages
Mbongue came on as a second half sub late and quickly made his impact felt with a goal. What is more impressive is he just arrived in the Alamo City this week, needing to learn on the fly.
“I just know that I need to get acclimated quickly, just be ready to come on,” he said. “I knew that I was going to come on. Just being ready, staying ready and taking my opportunity when I get it.”
Up next:
San Antonio FC is now 1-0-2 (5 points) on the season and will return to the pitch next Saturday when they host Monterey Bay FC at 7:30 pm from Toyota Field.
