EDINBURG, Texas – San Antonio FC remained undefeated through 10 games this regular season as it took a 3-1 victory against Rio Grande Valley FC in the South Texas Derby at H-E-B Park in the USL Game of the Week on ESPN Deportes.

Following the opening minutes of the contest, between 7:00 and 8:46 of the match, players from both sides came together at the center circle, united against racism, and in support of equality, diversity and compassion.

In the game, San Antonio opened quickly as Blake Smith scored after only three minutes. After an attack appeared to have broken down, SAFC recycled possession in the left channel as Mitchell Taintor found Zach Herivaux in the left side of the penalty area. The Haiti international cut a short pass to his right to Smith, whose shot took a slight deflection before finding the bottom-right corner of the net.

The Toros almost responded immediately as a knockdown by Garrett McLaughlin deflected off a defender to the top of the penalty area where Ian Hoffman fired a shot just over the top-right corner of the net. Jose Gallegos then had a chance for San Antonio in the 17th minute as he linked up with Cristian Parano, who led Gallegos into the right side of the penalty area for a first-time shot that Toros goalkeeper Paul Blanchette got down to turn wide of the left post.  

But San Antonio struck again through Luis Solignac three minutes later. The Argentine forward began the play, laying off possession after receiving it with his back to goal before moving into the penalty area. While he was in motion, the ball was sent left by Parano to Smith, who delivered a fine cross to allow Solignac to head home from the center of the penalty area.

RGVFC hit back 10 minutes before halftime, though, as the Toros held possession in the attacking third after a free kick had been initially cleared. A cross from the right by Isidro Martinez went to the back post, where a loose first touch by an SAFC defender allowed Christian Lucatero to turn the ball back to Robert Castellanos, and the defender fired home into the roof of the net.

The second half produced fewer chances, with SAFC’s PC having the first good chance in the 66th minute on a free kick that was comfortably saved by Blanchette. The Toros’ Timo Mehlich then went close with four minutes to go with a shot from 25 yards that went just high and wide of the top-right corner.

The Toros made one final push for an equalizer in stoppage time, and twice SAFC goalkeeper Matt Cardone had to punch clear under pressure as the hosts launches crosses into his penalty area while also making a good save to deny Hoffman on a shot from the left side of the penalty area.

But an error by Blanchette as his pass to send play back upfield from outside his penalty area was intercepted by Gonzalo Di Renzo allowed San Antonio to add a third into an open goal, icing the game. Moments later, Solignac was upended in the Toros’ penalty area, but although Blanchette was able to make the save diving to his left to keep out Miguel Bailone’s penalty kick, that proved the final serious action of the game as the visitors headed home with victory.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Luis Solignac, San Antonio FC – Solignac scored once, had two key passes and held up play effectively for the visitors, winning 6 of 10 duels and 4 of 5 aerial duels to help his side to victory.