SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio FC and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC were traveling in opposite directions before SAFC reversed the trend with a 2-1 victory in front of a crowd of 6,052 on Saturday at Toyota Field. Victor Araujo and Stephen McCarthy tallied first-half goals for the host side, which ended a six-game winless streak (0-3-3). Colorado Springs, which had entered with a six-game unbeaten streak (4-0-2), managed to cut into the lead with a Luke Vercollone penalty kick. That would be as close as the Switchbacks would get as they fell to 7-3-2 (23 points) overall and 3-3-1 on the road. SAFC improved to 3-5-5 (14 points) and 2-2-2 at home.

Scoring:
8’ – SA – Victor Araujo (Michael Reed)
34’ – SA – Stephen McCarthy
50’ – COS – Luke Vercollone (penalty)

Three Things That Mattered:

• 1. San Antonio had scored only two goals over its previous five games. SAFC matched that total in the first 45 minutes. Michael Reed intercepted the ball from Colorado Springs’ J.J. Greer and set up Victor Araujo in the eighth minute as his left-footed shot was placed inside the left post for a 1-0 lead and Araujo’s first goal of the season. Then in the 34th minute, Araujo delivered a free kick to an unmarked Stephen McCarthy. McCarthy’s header was saved by Switchbacks goalkeeper Devala Gorrick, but the rebound popped back to him and his right-footed shot crossed the goal line to take a 2-0 lead. It was McCarthy’s first goal of the season, as well. The goal-scoring came against a Switchbacks side that had conceded only two goals during their previous six games combined.

• 2. The offensive boost was promising for San Antonio, especially with the knowledge that Shawn Chin will miss the remainder of the season with a fractured leg suffered during Wednesday’s 4-0 loss to Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo in the Fourth Round of the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Chin tallied two goals and an assist in 11 games this year.

• 3. For the first time this season, SAFC allowed a penalty kick goal. In the 49th minute, Miguel Gonzalez was bumped by Milton Palacios. Luke Vercollone and his patented steamrolling penalty kick approach was put to the test. He rushed on and fired to the upper right corner, converting his attempt in the 50th minute to cut SAFC’s lead to 2-1. The 2015 USL MVP Finalist notched his second goal of the season.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Victor Araujo, San Antonio FC – In addition to the opening goal, Araujo created the opportunity for Stephen McCarthy’s tally as SAFC jumped out quickly against a normally stingy Switchbacks side.

Upcoming Games:
San Antonio FC vs. Orange County Blues FC – June 23, 8:30 p.m. ET, Toyota Field
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. Real Monarchs SLC – June 26, 3:30 p.m. ET, Switchbacks Stadium