It might not have matched the regular season success of the club’s 2017 campaign, but San Antonio FC’s run to the Western Conference Final of the USL Championship Playoffs marked the best campaign in the club’s history before falling in a penalty shootout to eventual title winner Orange County SC. The question now will be what Head Coach Alen Marcina’s side can accomplish as a follow-up after the departure of some key attacking pieces over the past offseason.

At the top of that list was the transfer of homegrown winger Jose Gallegos to Danish Superliga club SønderjyskE after he was nominated for the Championship’s Young Player of the Year award for a second consecutive year and earned All-League Second Team honors after recording seven goals and four assists while leading the league in completed dribbles. Also departed is leading scorer Nathan Fogaca following the conclusion of his loan from Brazil’s Coritiba FC, and winger Marcus Epps, who also had seven goals and four assists a season ago before heading to Phoenix Rising FC.

SAFC has looked to replicate that wide productivity with one of the high-profile signings of the offseason, bringing in Kekuta Manneh from Major League Soccer’s Austin FC. The Gambia-born, Texas-raised Manneh should be an ideal fit at Toyota Field in San Antonio’s system, and he could provide returning forward Santiago Patino – who notched eight goals in 14 games after an injury suffered early in the campaign – plenty of service. So too could Deshane Beckford, who impressed for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC a season ago. With a bolstered back line that will likely include Mitchell Taintor after his transfer from Sacramento Republic FC and new arrivals Carter Manley and Fabien Garcia and a competitive goalkeeping stable that includes local legend Matt Cardone and the incoming Cristian Bonilla – a former Colombia U-23 international – and Jordan Farr, San Antonio should be a contender once again.

Cristian Bonilla – Colombian goalkeeper brings senior international experience from early in career

Mitchell Taintor – Center back joined SAFC via transfer from Sacramento Republic FC after loan in 2021

Kekuta Manneh – Experienced, speedy winger will look to fill gaps left by departures in attacking third

Fabien Garcia – French defender has experience, also brings potential danger at set pieces

Jose Gallegos – Academy standout was transferred to Danish Superliga club SønderjyskE

Nathan Fogaca – Leading scorer returned to Brazil’s Coritiba FC following conclusion of loan

Marcus Epps – Dangerous winger made move in Western Conference to Phoenix Rising FC

Cam Lindley – Midfielder joined Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC after leading side in Chances Created