SAN ANTONIO, Texas – San Antonio FC had only two wins through its first 12 games during its inaugural 2016 season. SAFC has two wins in two attempts to open 2017 after defeating the LA Galaxy II 2-0 on Saturday in front of a sellout crowd of 8,081 at Toyota Field. Billy Forbes tallied a goal and assist while Rafa Castillo and Michael Reed each provided first-half tallies as San Antonio (2-0-0, 6 points) stormed past the Galaxy II (1-1-0, 3 points). The match also served as the conclusion of the USL Experience, which San Antonio hosted this past week. The event featured a select group of Super Y League players who were invited to this regional event to train and compete like a professional, while receiving instruction and interaction from the SAFC franchise.

Scoring:
12’ – SA – Rafa Castillo (Billy Forbes)
29’ – SA – Michael Reed (Ben Newnam)
77’ – SA – Billy Forbes (Cesar Elizondo)

Three Things That Mattered:

• 1. The energetic Billy Forbes was ultimately the driving force of Saturday’s match. Forbes set the tone early with a dish from the left side, setting up Rafa Castillo with a quick rolling ball. Castillo ripped the top netting for the 1-0 lead in the 12rth minute. Forbes put the match away with a goal of his own in the 77th minute, and it was his well-timed run that put LA’s defense on its heels. Cesar Elizondo had the leading ball to Forbes down the left side, and Forbes shot left-footed toward the far right post. It took a deflection, but there was little doubt as it bounced into the net for a three-goal cushion. 

• 2. San Antonio knows it has some versatile options, and Ben Newnam is among them. The right back made a run up the right flank that set up captain Michael Reed in the 29th minute. SAFC just looked to be on the same page for a number of sequences, and this one was fitting of a club that already has some strong awareness. Elizondo’s dummy on Newnam’s pass was certainly the key to that setup.

• 3. Saturday marked SAFC’s first win against the Galaxy II. Last year the two sides played twice, drawing 1-1 the first time on April 13, 2016, and then LA winning 3-2 on July 23, 2016, at Toyota Field. LA did have to play down a man in the closing minutes Saturday as Jaime Villarreal was shown a red card, but the damage was already done as San Antonio had already built its three-goal advantage.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Billy Forbes, San Antonio FC – Forbes added the icing on the cake with a second-half goal while kicking off the match with an assist to Rafa Castillo.

Upcoming Games:
San Antonio FC vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – April 7, 9 p.m. ET, Toyota Field
LA Galaxy II at Phoenix Rising FC – April 8, 10:30 p.m. ET, Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex