AUSTIN, Texas – Nathan Fogaca had a goal and assist as both he and Emil Cuello converted from the penalty sport to lead San Antonio FC to a 3-0 victory against Austin Bold FC on Saturday night at Bold Stadium. Jose Gallegos also scored for the visitors for his second goal of the season.

The game opened patiently but a poor attempt to clear by San Antonio gave Bold FC the chance to strike first in the 13th minute as Stefano Pinho gained possession but fired just over the crossbar from 20 yards out. San Antonio was given the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot just before the half-hour mark, though, as Emil Cuello got in behind the Austin defense and was brought down just inside the penalty area by Fabien Garcia, leaving the referee to point to the spot. Cuello stepped up and delivered a Panenka as Bold FC goalkeeper Elliot Panicco went to the left corner early, leaving the ball to float into the net.

Austin went close to an equalizer five minutes later as Garcia flipped a free kick over the wall but just wide of the left post, while Alasanne Ates Diouf forced a low save by San Antonio’s Matt Cardone a couple of minutes later on a shot from distance. The hosts went closer still six minutes into the second half as Xavi Baez delivered a deep corner kick from the left that found Kofi Sarkodie at the back post for a header that Cardone kept out before the defense scrambled the rebound away before an Austin player could get a clean finish on the loose ball.

Cardone had to be sharp again in the 58th minute as Austin’s pressure at the start of the second half continued with the San Antonio shot-stopper making a sharp low save as Sean Okoli fired on target from a narrow angle on the right. After the teams exchanged chances just past the hour-mark as San Antonio’s Jose Gallegos and Austin’s Sean Okoli both forced saves with their respective chances, the visitors were given another chance from the penalty spot as Nathan Fogaca was brought down by Panicco as he broke in on a one-on-one chance. Fogaca was more adroit with his effort from the spot, going to the bottom-right corner of the net.

Five minutes later Fogaca added an assist to his goal as he led a counterattack and picked out Gallegos on the left side, and the 19-year-old cut back onto his right foot and delivered a low shot to the right corner of the net to make it three. That proved enough for the visitors, who saw out the remaining minutes without offering Bold FC a way back into the contest to move into a three-way tie on points with Colorado Springs Switchback FC and New Mexico United for third place in the Mountain Division.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Nathan Fogaca, San Antonio FC – Fogaca picked up his strong recent run of form with a goal and assist and had three shots and two key passes while completing 5 of 6 passes as he looked to consistently stretch the Bold FC defense.

Scoring Summary
SA – Emil Cuello (Penalty Kick) 30’
SA – Nathan Fogaca (Penalty Kick) 69’
SA – Jose Gallegos (Nathan Fogaca) 74’

Full Box Score