SEASIDE, Calif. (Fwrd Axis) — San Antonio FC concluded their nearly two-month long road odyssey with a 3-2 victory over Monterey Bay FC at Freeman Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The victory for San Antonio FC sees the club rebound from a loss in Sacramento a week ago and move into a tie with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, who earned a win over Los Dos later Saturday to remain at the top of the USL Championship Western Conference.
“For me, great teams are consistent,” San Antonio FC Head Coach Alen Marcina said. “And I think our mentality has been excellent pressing actions were outstanding. And proud of the collective to respond from last week, get well deserved three points against a difficult opponent.”
Here are three points from SAFC’s win over Monterey Bay:
Welcome back, old friend
SAFC saw the return of Santiago Patino, who returned to the pitch for the first time since April 16 and made his impact felt when he scored the game-winning goal for San Antonio in the 82nd minute off a brilliant feed from PC to break the 2-2 tie and give the visitors a come-from-behind victory.
What's better, the dribbling from @DBeckford10 or the passing move and finish from @SPatino_9? 🤩#USLonESPN | #MBvSA pic.twitter.com/cPLhGidLV4
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) June 11, 2022
“The game was tied and I had the opportunity to come on the field and left everything I had, Patino said of his game-winning goal. “I was grateful that ball came in from PC and I was able to score.”
The balls went San Antonio’s way
Despite grabbing all three points, SAFC did not come away from his match without some mistakes. An own goal from Jordy Delem nearly saw San Antonio give away points when they were leading by a goal late in the second half but it was an own goal from Monterey Bay’s Samuel Strong that leveled the match for San Antonio in the first half.
SAFC still managed to eke out three points and Marcina will take that after a long road trip.
“Opportunity to improve and get better, and our pressing actions were outstanding,” he said. “And proud of the collective to respond from last week, get well deserved three points against a difficult opponent.”
Digging deep
After losing last weekend, SAFC was determined to not lose two matches in a row. They dug deep despite conceding the first goal and losing their lead in the second half. As a result, they are now even in points with Colorado, with whom they still have two matches against this season.
“We have a great mentality and attitude,” Patino said. “One of the things we do is we never give up.”
UP NEXT:
San Antonio FC is now 10-2-0 (30 points) on the season and will return home to welcome Liga MX side Atletico San Luis to Toyota Field on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in an international friendly
