San Antonio FC is one of the two hardest teams to beat in the Western Conference.

San Antonio FC is in a bit of a funk when it comes to the set-up of its defense of the USL Championship title.

Yes, we’re going to play the “both things can be true” game, because there might be no other team in the field that seems both potentially capable of winning the Championship Final or getting knocked out in the conference quarterfinals than SAFC.

San Antonio’s 3-3 draw against Indy Eleven was another example of that. Indy created good chances that led to the side taking a two-goal lead early in the second half at Toyota Field. And, as is its habit, San Antonio clawed its way back late as Mitchell Taintor scored an equalizer with two minutes to go.

In the big picture, it cost San Antonio a pair of positions in the Western Conference standings. Victories for Orange County SC and San Diego Loyal SC later in the night moved SAFC to the No. 4 seed in the West.

On top of that, the side’s form on paper isn’t great – it won only once in its last eight games and took eight points from those contests, fewest of any team in the playoff field.

And yet, it enters the postseason tied for the fewest losses in the Western Conference alongside Sacramento Republic FC. It also equaled the Championship’s single-season record with 14 draws, showing how hard it might be to knock this side off during 90 or 120 minutes.

So, how do you assess a game like that and reason with what’s ahead?

“I think given the circumstance, it is slightly disappointing,” said Taintor. “It was a good comeback in the end, but ultimately wasn’t the result that we absolutely needed. I think earlier on in the season that would be a great rallying point. There were a lot of good things that we did, coming back, scoring three goals right before playoffs is really good. It’s a good sign, scoring goals, but there are some things that we need to clean up before next week.”

That last part is an understatement. SAFC has conceded 12 goals in seven games since the start of September, accounting for almost one third of the goals it allowed this season.

But it has also scored 14 goals over the same span., and has gained 19 points from losing positions this season - second-best in the league - meaning the glass for Head Coach Alen Marcina remains at least half-full.

“To finish top four is a very good season in my opinion,” he said. “[We will] probably will finish the league top in goals, so we’ve demonstrated that we are an attacking threat. Lot of positives, again four years not only in a row making playoffs, but four years in a row earning a first-round playoff game at home, which is another great achievement. All in all, a lot of positives, and we’ll put it all behind us, and get ready for playoffs.”