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SAFC Relieves Pressure as Attack Fires Up

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 04/28/18, 10:39AM EDT

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Powell praises travelling support after three-goal display in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS – With the side having scored only four goals in its first six games of the 2018 USL season, and held scoreless in its prior to outings, San Antonio FC’s attacking corps was feeling a little added pressure to perform as it entered Friday night’s USL Game of the Week against Las Vegas Lights FC.

After almost matching its previous scoring mark for the season in a 3-1 victory at Cashman Field that ended Lights FC’s undefeated start to the season, that pressure certainly felt somewhat relieved.

“I’m very happy,” said SAFC attacking midfielder Jose Escalante, who scored his first goal for the club in the win. “It’s something that I have been wanting to happen for a while now and I also felt a bit of pressure because as a unit we were struggling to find goals. We knew that the goals would eventually come and we’re happy that we managed to score three. Now we want to build on this as we go back to play at home.”

All three of San Antonio’s scorers on the night notched their first goal of the season, with Ever Guzman notching the first after an excellent counterattack move that harkened back to some of SAFC’s best moments a season ago. Guzman’s backheeled flick near the halfway line to release Sonny Guadarrama caught Las Vegas with numbers forward, and Guadarrama rewarded Guzman with a tap-in finish as he laid the ball across the penalty area with Lights FC goalkeeper drawn out to try and deny Guadarrama’s shot.

San Antonio’s speed also came into play on its second goal as Darnell King raced down the right flank into space before delivering for Escalante to control and finish into the left corner. The forward produced a pacifier in his celebration, paying tribute to his new child born his offseason, and then early in the second half produced the sort of magical piece of skill SAFC fans were hoping to see when he was introduced at the club, outfoxing Las Vegas defender Joel Huiqui before being brought down in the penalty area. 

“The focus and desire of the players tonight was evident from the first whistle to the last,” said SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell. “It’s always good to earn the first win on the road and to do so against a previously unbeaten team is even better. It’s a tough venue to play in but full credit to the players for their effort and character.”

Rafael Castillo stepped up to convert from the penalty spot, his 10th goal for the club overall slotting low into the right corner of the net as Ferrino went the other way. Now tied for the club’s all-time lead in goals, the Colombian veteran was thrilled to have gotten off the mark this season.

“It’s incredible to be able to help this team,” said Castillo. “I give my all for this badge and these colors. I love this club and this city, and these things motivate me to keep going on this path. We’re just getting started and this is a win that we want to build on.”

The club’s players and staff were also thrilled by the travelling support that made their way to Vegas for Friday night’s game. Numerous San Antonio FC jerseys could be seen in the crowd, part of another raucous atmosphere that saw 8,025 fans fill up Cashman Field for the contest.

“Our fans have been absolutely fantastic,” said Powell. “They support the team and get behind our players no matter what, and it definitely inspires us to see traveling supporters in so many numbers like we did tonight. I want to personally thank them for being here tonight. We’re looking forward to seeing them next weekend.”


Photo courtesy L.E. Baskow / Las Vegas Lights FC

With four points from its two-game road trip that began in Fresno last Sunday under its belt, San Antonio will return to Toyota Field for next Saturday’s return clash against the Foxes in the mood for more of what its visit to Vegas produced.

“It was important for us not to lose during this road trip,” said Escalante. “Our goal was to earn a minimum of four points and we did that. Now we want to make sure that we don’t drop anymore points, especially at home, and keep playing even better than we did tonight.”

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