SAN ANTONIO – Mitchell Taintor recorded a goal and assist while Jorge Hernández posted a pair of assists as San Antonio FC swept to a 5-2 victory against El Paso Locomotive FC at Toyota Field to clinch a place in the 2025 USL Championship Playoffs and win the Copa Tejas rivals for the campaign.

Locomotive grabbed an early lead when Amando Moreno clipped home a cross from Eric Calvillo from the left after the visitors recycled a corner kick, but San Antonio answered two minutes later thanks to Santiago Patiño, who fired home on the half-volley after a tremendous, angled pass by Taintor into the top of the penalty area. The hosts then hit the front midway through the first half as Luke Haakenson redirected home a finish from close range before an own goal by El Paso’s Tony Alfaro made it three before the break.

San Antonio added a fourth eight minutes into the second half when Nicky Hernandez arrived late at the far post to volley home a free kick from the right by Jorge Hernández, but El Paso hit back again a minute later thanks to a long-range effort by Christian Sorto. SAFC restored its three-goal lead with four minutes to go, however, when Taintor headed home Jorge Hernández’s free kick.

Takeaways

San Antonio FC: The hosts regained their form at a most opportune moment, earning a place in the postseason and the No. 6 seed overall with one of its most emphatic performances of the regular season overall.   

El Paso Locomotive FC: The visitors had their moments but were overwhelmed defensively at times. Despite that, they’ll enter the postseason as the No. 4 seed and open at home to Phoenix Rising FC next weekend.

Key moment

Nicky Hernandez’s goal early in the second half gave San Antonio a three-goal lead that ended up proving insurmountable for the visitors.

Key stat

San Antonio ended a 483-minute scoreless streak with Santiago Patino’s early goal before going on to rack up its second five-goal performance of the regular season.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Match

Mitchell Taintor, San Antonio FC – SAFC’s captain recorded a goal and assist while recording three chances created overall, completing 35 of 38 passes and winning 4 of 5 duels.

Scoring Summary
ELP – Amando Moreno (Eric Calvillo) 7’
SA – Santiago Patino (Mitchell Taintor) 9’
SA – Luke Haakenson (Alexis Souahy) 22’
SA – Tony Alfaro (own goal) 35’
SA – Nicky Hernandez (Jorge Hernández) 53’
ELP – Christian Sorto (Eric Calvillo) 54’
SA – Mitchell Taintor (Jorge Hernández) 86’