SAN ANTONIO — It took some time for the match to catch fire but when it did the goals started flowing as four goals in 20 minutes saw San Antonio FC and Oakland Roots split the points at Toyota Field on Saturday.
Oakland’s best chances came on the counter so it was no surprise when that was where the opening goal of the match came from. Miche-Naider Cherry was left open on the far post allowing him to head home for the goal with Pablo Sisniega scrambling.
San Antonio FC hit back in the 73rd minute thanks to a beautiful run from Juan Agudelo, coming in on the diagonal. Agudelo timed his run perfectly to get onto the cross from Buno Nogueira that fell right at his shins.
Just five minutes later San Antonio took the lead, Kevon Lambert getting on the end of a cross from Jorge Hernandez to head it up and over the keeper.
Lambert went from hero to zero in less than ten minutes, charging down a ball after he lost his man, giving away a penalty. That allowed Johnny Rodriguez to step up and smash the penalty home to take a point for Oakland.
San Antonio FC thought they had the lead in the 9th minute when Machop Chol put the ball in the back of the net. Unfortunately for him he was caught by a smart offside trap from Oakland but the warning signs were there.
The injury crisis worsened for SAFC in the 25th minute when Lucas Silva went down with a knock and had to be replaced by Kameron Lacey.
There were some good ideas from San Antonio but the final ball was too often just in front of a player or the touch was just too heavy, allowing Oakland to recover.
It was a physical encounter throughout, with some chippy fouls, but nothing really crossing the line into foul play, but the referee was kept busy. That meant the match was fairly disjointed which made it hard for either side to build up, until the latter stages of the match.
SAN ANTONIO — After a surprising loss to Miami last week it was clear speaking to San Antonio FC Head Coach Alen Marcina what needs to improve. He singled out communication as the team’s big flaw.
“We have amazing human beings (in the team),” said Marcina, “but we’re incredibly quiet as a group. When Mitch (Taintor) went down it was like you could hear a pin drop… We’ve got to improve our on-field communication.”
Taintor has been a significant leader for the club, wearing the captain’s arm band, and part of that has been being the most vocal. Even off the pitch he’s vocal, when he’s in the stands or on the bench he’ll be calling out. That was a big loss last weekend, with him off the pitch, and should he miss Saturday’s match the communication hit is significant.
“The challenge is for each individual to find it within themselves,” explained Marcina. “This is something I’ve been working on but it’s not going to happen in a few days. I’ll be honest, it’s going to take some time. We’re going to be working on it and hopefully it comes together sooner rather than later.”
Working on it is a difficult task, Marcina says that these players are naturally quiet, so he’s asking them to go against their natural instincts. That means in training something has to be done that pushes players to talk.
“He’s (Marcina) given us a scenarios where he’s going to force guys to actually speak,” explained Machop Chol. “He’s just demanding a lot of guys to actually use their mouth and just talking. Just give a bit of direction. Even if it’s something as small as left, right. He just wants people to speak.”
One thing Marcina has constantly pointed to this season is that it’s a team that doesn’t point fingers. There’s no excuses but there’s also no blaming teammates and you sense that in talking about the breakdown last week.
“No human being can focus for 90 plus minutes, so you depend and require teammates to say ‘hey, left, right’ whatever the instruction is, you need that,” reflected Marcina. “But it became really, really clear when Mitchell went down, we were lacking just a simple instruction. I’m sure on the broadcast you can hear my voice the whole time because I was screaming at the top of my lungs.”
That might be a more significant problem this week, playing at home in one of the most raucous atmospheres in the league adds a significant challenge if the players aren’t talking to help their coach out.
“Miami wasn’t exactly a big crowd,” pointed out Marcina. “But in our stadium, and some other stadiums, you can’t hear me, even knowing how loud I am, so we’ve got to communicate with one another.”
MIAMI, Fla. — San Antonio FC takes on Miami FC in Florida on Saturday and will be eager to show their quality against the team propping up the Eastern Conference.
Miami hasn’t won since the season opener against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (who have even fewer points than Miami) and hasn’t picked up even a draw since March 23rd. This includes a humbling loss to League One side Tormenta FC in the US Open Cup.
With that background Miami comes into this match with a 1-0 loss to Birmingham Legion who provide an interesting case study as they’ve had a similar style to San Antonio’s.
Since Alen Marcina is favoring a possession heavy style he’ll no doubt be relishing Miami’s willingness to cede possession. Against Birmingham Miami only had 41 percent possession, which will play right into the hands of SAFC.
That led to being absolutely peppered, Miami faced 20 shots, but only four of them were on goal from Birmingham. San Antonio last week had a slightly better return of five shots on target from 19 total but against a stronger Hartford Athletic side. Most significantly only two of those shots on target didn’t result in a goal.
As a result of being out possessed Miami was thoroughly out passed (279:404) which is to be expected but when you only make 279 passes your accuracy needs to be high and 81 percent just won’t cut it. That is especially true with San Antonio able to take advantage of a counter attack well.
Defensively Miami prove difficult to break down, but it feels like San Antonio FC is hitting its stride there. It’s also unlikely that Miami will sit deep at home, something that SAFC has struggled with over the years. Fans at home want goals, and that will likely encourage Miami to not just sit back and absorb.
San Antonio FC will rightly go in to this match as heavy favorites but these are the kind of matches that have proved a banana skin in the past and may well do so again.
SAN ANTONIO – It may have been a frustrating match on Saturday against Orange County SC as San Antonio FC had to settle for a scoreless draw but there were some good opportunities from the hosts that should be pointed out.
Most of San Antonio’s good work came with players off the ball making smart runs, that either put them into space or fooled the defense.
Some smart movement from Juan Agudelo in the 36th minute created the space for a cross.
Agudelo cuts inside, with five OCSC defenders covering the space, that tricks all the coverage to run and cover the open space in the middle of the park (in orange). That then leaves a ton of space open for Shannon Gomez to run in to.
That then allows Gomez to get the cross away but his service wasn’t good enough to create a clear chance.
Agudelo did the same again on a second half free kick.
His run centrally pushes three defenders towards him, that leaves Taintor free for the shot which is well saved.
The same good work off the ball was happening on the opposite end of the pitch.
With a player central for Orange County it would have been easy for Trova Bomi to cover the man, but he trusts his team mate and runs to cover the short ball in, which is a smart move as he blocks and then clears the shot.
It wasn’t all perfect though, and San Antonio should have been punished for falling for the same trap it had been laying all match in the 73rd minute.
Some good work from Orange Country sucked the SAFC defense centrally and allowed for a through-ball to Ethan Zubak but he shot right at Pablo Sisniega.
There just weren’t enough moments for San Antonio FC to get the goal they needed but on the whole the movement off the ball is there. Alen Marcina insists things will click and this was a good sign that he’s right.
SAN ANTONIO — Following Australia’s 2-0 win over Mexico the two coaches and players from Australia were eager to praise their opponents and the crowd for creating a great atmosphere for an entertaining match.
Australian coach Tony Gustavsson was impressed with how Mexico came out, really pressuring his side early.
“I want to thank Mexico for a fantastic game. I’m actually really, really impressed with their project. What they’re doing; the commitment, the pressing and the tactical awareness. We know there would be one-on-one duels, the one-on-one attacking. They really brought a challenge. But still, we struggled to deal with it. So credit to Mexico for that, but that’s also exactly what we needed. I said before this game that we’re really going to test our limits today tonight.”
His opposite bench, Pedro Lopez, was similarly heaping praise on Australia.
“Playing Australia was a big challenge, they are a good side, making the semifinals of the last World Cup, and it was a good challenge for us.”
Both managers were excited for the future of the Mexican team. Gustavsson commented that he feels they’ve got a bright future ahead of them.
“I really want to credit Mexico. I think they’re onto something here. They’re doing some great stuff they show that really compete with the top ranked teams in the world and time after time,” said the Australian manager. “So this was for us a very, very, very valuable lesson. We learned a lot tonight.”
“I am very excited for the future of this team,” echoed Lopez. “These matches are about growing us for the future. What we’ve done against the United States, Brazil, Colombia and now Australia is pleasing. Now we have to be ready for the next challenge and the next step.”
The crowd was something both managers were delighted with, providing a useful environment for both managers.
“This is very important for us that we’ve learned to play away from home in a different environment in a different vibe. And I loved the vibe. I really did,” said Gustavsson. “I loved the way like if you look at it, when it was a 50-50 Duel the crowd went crazy like the intensity and I love that about football and then when you saw a technical brilliance the crowd gasped.”
“It was pleasing to have such support,” said Lopez. “We need support like this to continue growing. San Antonio is a beautiful city and this is a beautiful stadium. The crowd was fantastic it helped our team and was exciting.”
Australian players echoed that sentiment, with Emily van Egmond, Ellie Carpenter and Kaitlyn Torpey all pleased with the crowd.
“It was very good, very loud and supportive,” said Torpey. “It was really nice. And we got a few Australians to come which is great and we got the job in front of them.”
“Yeah, they were good. It was a good atmosphere. I mean, obviously a lot of Mexican supporters here, which was cool for them,” said the van Egmond. “But now we also had quite a quite a few Aussies, which was really nice and pleasing to see and I mean, the girls love coming out every single time you see green and gold in the stadium. So yeah, that atmosphere was fun.”
SAN ANTONIO — Australia was too strong for a determined Mexico side winning 2-0 thanks to an early goal in each half at Toyota Field.
Hayley Raso opened the scoring for the Matildas in their first meaningful attack of the match. The ball was passed around the edge of the area and nearly lost but Raso regathered and hit a shot that burst through the hands of Estefanny Bareras in the Mexico goal.
Australia doubled its lead in the 51st minute after some brilliant work from Caitlin Foord on the edge of the area. She received the ball from Steph Catley, and ran to create space for a shot, curling it perfectly out of the reach of the keeper.
Mexico started well, as was expected, with a high press putting the pressure on Australia on a surprisingly warm day in San Antonio. The press was very high, even at times putting pressure on Mackenzie Arnold in the net.
After the Australian goal that press faded, which was disappointing as that’s when Mexico looked strongest and had the Matildas scrambling.
Australia was changing shape throughout the first half, trying new combinations up front and in the back line to test things out ahead of a trip to France for the Olympic Games.
As expected both teams rang the changes in the second half to try some different combinations for the squads ahead of the rest of the year.
Only a stunning sliding challenge from Mexican captain Rebeca Bernal stopped Australia making it three in the 72nd minute, putting it out for a corner but the free header went wide.
The second half saw Australia really take the match away from Mexico and cruise to what ended up being a comfortable victory.
SAN ANTONIO — Australia manager Tony Gustavsson may not like the word “experiment” but that’s exactly what he’ll be doing as the Matildas take on Mexico at Toyota Field on Tuesday night (7 p.m. tickets available here).
It’s been a two week camp for the Australians to prepare for this match, which has been very useful with so many players out injured, it has forced an adjustment in plans ahead of the Olympic Games.
“We did something different this time. We actually played a couple of closed door scrimmages. I can’t tell you too much about that,” said Gustavsson. “But it was a massive opportunity for us to try different things; different players ,different tactics, different game management staff, in a closed door environment to not reveal too much going into the Olympics. So the preparation in this camp has been almost only about us and trying things we feel we need to fix.”
For captain Steph Catley this training period has been crucial ahead of a big year for her side.
“Yeah, it’s been brilliant. Like I said, it’s unusual to get this kind of time to train together and get things that we wouldn’t normally do,” said Catley. “They’re able to do it a lot and train a lot and work on things that we haven’t been able to without the presence of the game and sort of stress and preparing for a game. So it’s been really nice as new players come in and do really well.”
Part of that involved getting out as a team and getting to enjoy the city of San Antonio and on an auspicious day.
“San Antonio is fantastic Yeah, I went for a walk with my colleagues last night and just embraced the atmosphere and in a nice environment there and then today it was a bit different experience obviously with Eclipse,” said Gustavsson. “We’re all standing out on the finding a spot where we can see through the cloud or the big buildings and the clouds and it’s been a very good experience so far.”
Mexico creates an interesting prospect for Australia, a team they haven’t seen in almost 20 years, this will allow for some good preparation for Paris.
“Mexico as an opposition helps us prepare against a team that is very variable organized but also very aggressive. I’m actually impressed about their pressing game against top opposition looking at the Gold Cup games as well. For us to see what can we do with the ball against a team that is not just organized but also are very, very aggressive in pressing. So we’re working on that to see how we can break down an organized pressing team,” said Gustavsson. “I’ve said it before so many times in the World Cup. We were one of the top three teams in the world breaking the last line but we have worked a lot on breaking the first and second line with more control so can we do that and it’s such a pressing team integral probably going to custom commonly it depends on losing the ball and someone will areas at times but we need to try now where we are in that process. We’ve done it against all blocks and done it well.”
“I think that’s why we play against competition then we wouldn’t normally all the time. So then when you come into major tournaments and we have come up against a team like Mexico. We’re ready for it and we’ve played against that sort of style, that sort of aggression. And they really are building something special as a team,” said Catley. “So it’s gonna be tough for us to play against a team like that. And like Tony said, where we’re playing a brave style and it’s new for some players and new in some areas and playing against a team their process the way that they do and it’s organized the way that they are. It’s difficult and that’s why we put ourselves in situations to get out on top and feel confident in the way that we played against Mexico.”
Another factor that makes this a difficult match for the Matildas is the injury crisis the team is going for with many players unavailable for selection in this camp.
“Obviously with a lot of plays unavailable coming into this camp, I think it might be one of the one of the most challenging camps going into with players not available for selection either go into camp,” said Gustavsson. “And we then try to twist that I looked at that as an opportunity instead to say Okay, now we’ll get the chance to look at some other plays, tests, test our depth in the roster. And also look at some plays in different positions because common selection for a limited roster you need to have to cover in each position”
With potentially three debutants against Mexico there’s been a lot of things for Australia to try out.
“We have looked at different plays in different positions to see how they can cope and manage that where we might not be able to test all that tomorrow. So when I make decisions on a roster and selections and such a basis it as much of training content as I do in games,” said Gustavsson. “So it’s not just what you see against Mexico tomorrow, or what you saw against Canada or the qualifiers that’s going to dictate selection. It’s also what players do in training environments. But I think a couple of players have impressed me. A couple of new players have been able to adjust quickly to this tempo. And some players have had struggle with it, and that’s normal.”
Mexico will be on a high from their win over the US and the chance to add another major win to the shelf, but it’s clear Australia isn’t taking anything for granted.
ARLINGTON – It was a familiar scoreline as the United States defeated Mexico 2-0 at AT&T Stadium to remain the only name on the CONCACAF Nations League trophy.
Texas Soccer News’ Head Photographer Eric Guzman was on site to document the day and the celebrations.
The trophy was presented before the day’s proceedings got started.
Panama fans were hopeful ahead of the third place playoff.
Put it was Jamaica who came out victorious, claiming third place.
The USMNT was relaxed, yet focused heading into the final.
Both teams fought resolutely throughout the final.
It was a tight affair throughout the match but the US came away victorious.
Matt Turner claimed the goalkeeper of the tournament award and Gio Reyna won the best player award.
Frisco – An early Honduras goal had Costa Rica rattled, for all of two minutes, before Los Ticos clicked into gear and managed a 3-1 win to advance to the Copa America.
Texas Soccer News Head Photographer, Eric Guzman, was on hand to record the action.
Both teams were well supported throughout the match.
The intensity showed from even before the opening whistle with the anthems being belted out with passion.
Ten minutes into the match Honduras fans erupted after their team scored the opening goal of the match.
But two minutes later things were all square, allowing Costa Rica to take charge of the match.
It was a clinical display in the end from Costa Rica, allowing Keylor Navas to celebrate from his goal with the fans.
FRISCO – A 2-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago sent Canada through to the Copa America in a match they mostly controlled at Toyota Stadium in Frisco on Saturday afternoon.
Texas Soccer News’ Head Photographer Eric Guzman was on the scene to document proceedings.
Fans in attendance were hopeful of passage through to the Copa America.
It was a tight match, especially in the first half but the Canadians always had some measure of control.
Cyle Larin scored the opening goal in the 61st minute.
He was quickly swarmed by his teammates to celebrate the vital goal.
The match was sealed in stoppage time by Jacob Shaffleburg’s strike in stoppage time.
He ran off to celebrate, overjoyed by the goal.
And his team mates were equally pleased after booking their place in the Copa America.
Canada takes the final place in Group A and will play Argentina, Peru and Chile.
Texas Soccer News 