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Year in Review: San Antonio FC

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 11/14/16, 6:24PM EST

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Strong inaugural season ends short of playoffs, but with room for optimism


Photo courtesy Darren Abate / San Antonio FC

San Antonio FC was the final team to be introduced for the 2016 USL season, and began its first season auspiciously with a victory on the road in Seattle. As the side came together, wins did prove few and far between over the first third of the season, however, leaving SAFC with a record of 2-5-5 over the first two-fifths of the season.

Things then began to fall into place, as a run of four wins in five games pushed the side back into playoff contention. Those prospects were dimmed somewhat by injury, with the likes of goalkeeper Josh Ford, defender Milton Palacios and forward Shawn Chin among those to miss major time on the sideline. A downturn in the home stretch – where the side went 1-4-1 to close the season – saw the playoffs finish just out of reach, but there is a strong base to build on for the future.

2016 USL SEASON IN REVIEW

Record: 10-12-8, 38pts
Place: 10th in the Western Conference
Goals For: 36
Goals Against: 36
USL Cup Playoffs: N/A

2016 leaders: Rafael Castillo (5 goals), Franck Tayou (5 goals), Carlos Alvarez (7 assists), Josh Ford (53 saves)

WHAT WENT RIGHT

For the timespan Head Coach Darren Powell and SAFC’s front office had to assemble a squad, they did an admirable job. Early signings Carlos Alvarez (4 goals, 7 assists) and Rafael Castillo (5 goals, 2 assists) both led the side well, while midseason addition Franck Tayou (5 goals) quickly became a hit with fans. The side was also impressively resilient defensively, as both Ford (0.89 GAA) and back-up Matt Cardone came through with big saves during the season.

WHAT WENT WRONG

The biggest issue San Antonio faced was on the injury front, as key players like Stephen McCarthy, Milton Palacios, Shawn Chin and Josh Ford all missed numerous games after unfortunate injuries. At times the depth on the roster was able to come through, but the closing stretch to the season saw the side’s attack lose its punch at just the wrong moment, scoring only five goals in the last six games when a playoff berth was on the line. 

GOALS OF THE SEASON

Rafael Castillo’s ability to strike from long range was one of the highlights of San Antonio’s season, and saw him rifle home this outstanding finish against the LA Galaxy II.

Franck “The Tank” Tayou became an instant hit with San Antonio FC fans upon his arrival, and produced some fine moments, such as this turn and finish against Arizona.

SAVES OF THE SEASON

Matt Cardone had already put in a sterling performance on the road against Saint Louis FC in August, but his stoppage-time penalty kick save to complete a seven-save shutout capped it perfectly.

Cardone’s ability from the penalty spot was unmatched in the USL this season, as he recorded four saves on penalty kicks, including this one against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2.

HE SAID IT

“To me, the challenge is to make it to the final. I can’t get ahead too much and start thinking about being a champion, but I think it’s an important challenge to want to be in the final. That’s the main objective because thinking about that is thinking that each game we will come out the winners, that our fans will be with us, and that all the support and backup that Spurs Sports & Entertainment are giving us will be answered with positive results.” – San Antonio FC midfielder Rafael Castillo

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