Photo courtesy Robin Jerstad / San Antonio FC
SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio FC got a goal with 11 minutes to go by Kris Tyrpak to earn a 1-1 draw with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Friday night in front of a crowd of 6,217 at Toyota Field. The Switchbacks (1-0-2, 5pts) took the lead just 12 minutes in as a great piece of skill by Aaron King took him past his marker and allowed the veteran forward to slide home a finish into the right corner. San Antonio (2-0-1, 7pts) had the better of possession for the remainder of the half, but was unable to put away an equalizer as Rafa Castillo was indecisive after being played through by Billy Forbes six minutes before the break. Colorado Springs, meanwhile, looked dangerous on the break, and Chris James curled a shot just wide of the right post to almost give his side a two-goal edge at the break. San Antonio’s Matt Cardone made a big save to deny the Switchbacks’ Jordan Burt with 20 minutes to go, and it proved crucial as Kris Tyrpak fired home an exquisite strike from 20 yards into the right corner of the net from the left side of the penalty area to make it 1-1 nine minutes later. Colorado Springs almost grabbed victory in stoppage time when Kevaugh Frater’s low finish hit the left post, but the game ended all square as SAFC remain undefeated to start the season.
Scoring:
12’ – COS – Aaron King (Taesong Kim)
79’ – SA – Kris Tyrpak (Shawn Chin)
Three Things That Matter:
1. The night was starting to look like it would be a frustrating one for San Antonio FC as it went for a third consecutive win to start the season. Then, with a wonderful strike by Kris Trypak, the hosts salvaged a point, and a continuation to their undefeated start. One of the top performers in the USL over the past two seasons, Tyrpak was one of the marquee signings by SAFC this offseason, and his outstanding finish from 20 yards illustrated again his ability to create something from very little and make it look effortless.
2. Veteran forward Aaron King wasn’t spectacular overall on the night, but his smartly-played game gave the Switchbacks just what they needed in leading the line as he scored his first goal in more than a year. King completed 14-of-17 passes, created a chance and found a terrific piece of control to slip his way into finish give Colorado Springs the early lead. After being limited in the 2016 season, King had only 295 minutes of action in 17 appearances, the 32-year-old will be very happy to have broken his scoreless streak.
Laser from @_shawnchin
— USL (@USL) April 8, 2017
from @KrisTyrpak @sanantoniofc ties it up! #SAvCOS #RaiseYourGame pic.twitter.com/6AM4TxxgmL
USLSoccer.com Man of the Match
Kris Tyrpak, San Antonio FC – Tyrpak provided a bit of magic that earned San Antonio a valuable point, and allowed the side to remain undefeated three games into the season.
Upcoming Games:
San Antonio FC vs. Reno 1868 FC – April 15, 8:30 p.m. ET, Toyota Field
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Rio Grande Valley FC – April 12, 8 p.m. ET, H-E-B Park
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