SAN ANTONIO – Callum Montgomery scored the only goal in his debut for San Antonio FC as the hosts handed the defending USL Championship title-holders Real Monarchs SLC a 1-0 result before a crowd of 7,020 fans on Saturday night at Toyota Field.

SAFC got out to a strong start and almost took the lead in the 10th minute when Jose Gallegos slipped Gonzalo Di Renzo into the left side of the penalty area. The Argentine’s finish got past Monarchs goalkeeper David Ochoa but came back off the right post and was cleared to safety.

PC also threatened for the hosts from a set piece in the 16th minute that dipped over the defensive wall but was turned away by Ochoa before it found the right corner of the net. The Monarchs first big chance came in the 36th minute as Alvin Jones’ free kick from the left came all the way onto frame through traffic and was punched away, but San Antonio again went close in first-half stoppage time as Gallegos’ cross-shot went just wide of the left post past the outstretched slide of Luis Solignac.

San Antonio took the lead in the 67th minute, however, as an angled ball into the right side of the penalty area by Blake Smith was controlled well by Solignac, and his driven low cross was turned into the back of the net by Montgomery from within the six-yard area.

Having gone behind, the Monarchs couldn’t find a way back into the game, even with the introduction of captain Jack Blake as a second-half substitute. The visitors had one last chance in second-half stoppage time when SAFC goalkeeper Matt Cardone spilled a cross by Ashtone Morgon as he came back to ground, but Damian German was unable to capitalize, allowing SAFC to clear and close out the victory.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Callum Montgomery, San Antonio FC – Montgomery scored the decisive goal on his debut and won 7 of 8 duels defensively as SAFC held onto a shutout victory.