SAN ANTONIO – An early goal by Elliot Collier proved the difference as San Antonio FC took a 1-0 victory against El Paso Locomotive FC on Saturday night at Toyota Field to draw first blood in this year’s edition of the Copa Tejas.

San Antonio opened the game on the front foot and almost took the lead in the sixth minute when a deep cross from the right by Carter Manley was met on the volley by Diedie Traore in the left side of the penalty area. The effort deflected off El Paso’s Harry Brockbank and onto the left post before caroming to safety, but two minutes later Connor Maloney also went close with a clipped near-post finish off Traore’s cross from the left that flashed wide of the right post. Maloney had a hand in SAFC’s opening goal, however, as he found Collier just outside the left side of the penalty area with a pass, and the New Zealand international cut into the box before moving onto his right foot and curling home a finish to the top-right corner in the 11th minute.

Locomotive FC tried to respond quickly and Brockbank was denied by San Antonio’s Jordan Farr with a good low save on a shot to the bottom-left corner from 25 yards. SAFC continued to push for a second, however, and both Maloney and Justin Dhillon had chances saved by El Paso’s Evan Newton before Dhillon headed just wide at the back post off a corner kick from the left by Fabien Garcia four minutes before the break. Garcia then hit the woodwork in first-half stoppage time as he curled a free kick from the top-left corner of the penalty area off the left upright.

Chances began to become less frequent in the second half, but Locomotive FC almost had a chance at an equalizer in the 67th minute when Emmanuel Sonupe’s looping effort off a free kick from the left was punched to safety by Farr before one of the visitors could try to convert. San Antonio had a chance to put the game away in the final minute when Santiago Patino got in one-on-one with Newton but was denied by the veteran goalkeeper. It proved academic, however, as the visitors were unable to break through for a late equalizer.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Match

Fabien Garcia, San Antonio FC – Garcia had a solid defensive display, winning 2 of 2 tackles and recording 12 recoveries and five clearances while hitting the woodwork with his only shot of the contest on a free kick.

Scoring Summary
SA – Elliot Collier (Connor Maloney) 11’

Full Box Score