San Antonio FC narrowly fell to Cardiff City FC 0-1 in an international exhibition match at Toyota Field on Saturday night. A converted penalty gave the visitors the win during a night in which four SAFC Pro Academy players made their professional debut in front of 7,723 fans.
“I just want to thank Cardiff City FC, the gaffer Neil Warnock, Kevin Blackwell and all their staff for choosing to come to San Antonio as part of their preseason...” SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell said. “I’m really proud of our players. Every single one of them came out tonight with intensity and represented this club and city to the best of their ability, and they delivered a very good performance against quality opposition.”
The lone goal of the match came in the 57th minute after midfielder Josh Murphy converted a penalty to give the Bluebirds the lead. SAFC created a handful of chances throughout the match, but was ultimately unable to find the equalizer.
Four SAFC Pro Academy players made their professional debut on the night. Midfielders Rocky Perez and Abraham Lincon (2004 birth year) came off the bench in the second half, as well as Elite Training Program players Angel Bacho and Joey Batrouni.
Overall, SAFC fielded eight teenagers on the night, with regulars Cristian Parano, Ethan Bryant, and Jose Gallegos featuring alongside the debutants.
San Antonio FC will return to USL Championship action as they travel to take on El Paso Locomotive FC on Wednesday, July 17 at 8 p.m. and Orange County SC on Saturday, July 20 at 9 p.m. CT.
Scoring Summary:
CCFC: 0-1, Josh Murphy (Penalty) 57’
Disciplinary Summary:
CCFC: Yellow Card (Josh Murphy) 71’
SAFC: Yellow Card (Rafa Castillo) 76’
Attendance: 7,723
SAFC First Half Starting XI: GK: Jonathan Viscosi; D: Kai Greene, Eby Ackon, Joshua Yaro; M: Pecka (c), Jack Barmby (Jose Gallegos 43’), Cristian Parano, Ethan Bryant F: Ever Guzman, Billy Forbes, Brian Gomez
SAFC Second Half Starting XI: GK: Jonathan Viscosi (Joey Batrouni 81’); D: Eby Ackon, Johnny Fenwick, Pascal Eboussi; M: Michael Lahoud (c), Rafa Castillo, Angel Bacho* (Abraham Lincon* 81’), Carson Price F: Walter Restrepo, Rocky Perez*, Jose Gallegos
*SAFC Pro Academy Player
Postgame Notes: