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San Antonio Downs Switchbacks in Shootout

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 05/24/18, 2:34AM EDT

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Lopez scores decisive goal to send SAFC into Open Cup’s Fourth Round


Photo courtesy Darren Abate / San Antonio FC

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio FC claimed a 5-3 victory in a penalty shootout to advance to the Fourth Round of the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night as the hosts defeated Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC after the sides had played to a 1-1 draw through regulation and extra time at Toyota Field. The win marked the second time SAFC earned a place in the draw for the Fourth Round of the tournament.

San Antonio and Colorado Springs exchanged made penalty kicks in the first three rounds of the shootout before Mike Seth converted for SAFC against his former club to open the fourth round. After Colorado Springs’ Uriel Macias missed for the Switchbacks to give San Antonio an edge, Mikey Lopez gave the hosts victory as he shot into the top-right corner.

“When it gets to penalties, you never know what’s going to happen,” said SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell. “We told the guys to be confident when they went up to take theirs, and they certainly did that. I thought we hit a good series of penalties tonight and they allowed us to advance.”

San Antonio had opened the scoring in the eighth minute after 16-year-old Ethan Bryant earned a penalty kick in his professional debut for the club after forcing a Switchbacks handball in the penalty area. A San Antonio native, the 16-year-old Bryant is the first player to make his professional debut after being identified through the SAFC Pro Academy Elite Training Program. Midfielder Rafa Castillo converted from the spot to give the hosts the lead.

A San Antonio native, Bryant, made his professional debut on the night, playing 120 minutes and drawing the penalty that would lead to the club’s lone goal in regular time. The 16-year-old is the first player to make his professional debut after being identified through the SAFC Pro Academy Elite Training Program.

The Switchbacks equalized in the 26th minute after forward Tobenna Uzo scored off a header following a corner kick for the visitors, but while both teams created chances following Colorado Springs’ goal, neither was able to find a breakthrough for the remainder of regulation or in extra time as the hosts went on to claim victory from the spot.

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