SAN ANTONIO – After months of change across the organization, from welcoming new head coach Alen Marcina to completely revamping the roster, San Antonio FC finally took the field on Saturday night with a chance to open the 2020 regular season on a high note.
They did just that.
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Callum Montgomery broke a scoreless tie in the 67th minute of play, redirecting a cross from Luis Solignac to score the lone goal of the match, as San Antonio FC knocked off the defending USL champion Real Monarchs SLC at home, 1-0. It’s Marcina’s first victory as head coach.
.@C_Montgomery3 with the first goal of 2020 and @LuchoSoli with the first assist! ⬛️🟥 #Defend210 pic.twitter.com/L4C1lzQLHT
— San Antonio FC (@SanAntonioFC) March 8, 2020
“It’s a great opponent in the reigning champions,” Marcina said. “We knew it was going to be a challenge, but we saw it as a great opportunity to start the season going against them, and we wanted to put on a good show for our fans. Hopefully they left excited after tonight.”
For his goal, Montgomery earned Man of the Match honors. Goalkeeper Matt Cardone recorded two saves and one claim en route to his first clean sheet of the season.
“As a back line we take pride in getting clean sheets in every game,” Montgomery said. "That’s our goal. If we concede a goal and win, we’re still going to be a little bit upset after the game. To get a clean sheet is the most important thing as a back line to help our team win, and the boys are ecstatic right now. All the hard work throughout preseason came together tonight and that was the performance we put together. Great start to the season.”
“I thought it was a great performance from everyone against a very tough opponent," said midfielder Jose Gallegos. "It’s all about game management in the end and we executed that very well.”
With the win, San Antonio moves to 3-1-1 all-time in regular season openers and remains undefeated in home openers, boasting a 3-0-2 record.
The Alamo City club will return to USL Championship play next Saturday when they face Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Weidner Field. That match is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.