SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio FC announced on Tuesday it had re-signed goalkeeper and San Antonio native Matthew Cardone for the 2019 USL season pending league and federation approval. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“We are really pleased Matt is going into his fourth year with us,” said SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell. “He has played well in the games he has appeared in. He has a big year ahead of him where he will continue to compete for the starting spot and gain consistency game in and game out as he continues to improve.”

Cardone started 13 USL matches in the 2018 campaign and led the team with a 1.38 goals-against average as he recorded 37 saves. The 25-year-old also started all three of San Antonio’s Open Cup matches in 2018, helping lead the team to the fourth round before eventually being eliminated by MLS side FC Dallas.

“I’m excited to be back for another year with San Antonio FC,” said Cardone. “I am looking forward to working with the coaches and my teammates towards a successful 2019 season.”

Overall in his San Antonio FC career, Cardone has appeared in 35 matches in all competitions, making 34 starts and tallying 3,077 minutes. Cardone is the only goalkeeper to spend all three full seasons with San Antonio, and he became the first SAFC player to earn USL Player of the Week honors after his performance on the road against Saint Louis FC in August, 2016.

Cardone stands as SAFC’s all-time penalty save leader after he led the USL in 2016, recording four throughout the campaign. He is also tied for the club-record with nine saves in a single match, turning the trick at Swope Park Rangers on July 30, 2016.