Know the Opponent: San Antonio FC - Sacramento Republic FC

Sacramento Republic FC are finally back at Bonney Field to face San Antonio FC after an entire month on the road. Republic FC last played at home on July 6 before embarking on a five-match road stretch. Saturday’s match will be the first-ever meeting between Republic FC and USL expansion side San Antonio FC.

Ahead of Saturday’s match, get to know Republic FC’s opponent, San Antonio FC.

HEAD COACH

Darren Powell leads San Antonio FC in their first season in the USL. This is Powell’s first coaching job at the helm of a professional club, spending the majority of his coaching career at the collegiate and youth levels. Powell coached the men’s soccer team at Elon University from 2004 through 2014, racking up the most wins of any coach in program history. Powell was named Southern Conference Coach of the Year four times in nine seasons and won regular season titles in 2008 and 2012.

With more than 15 years of coaching experience, prior to joining San Antonio FC, Powell most recently served as the academy director for Orlando City SC for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Under Powell’s leadership, the program’s U-16 and U-18 teams made the 2015 U.S. Soccer Development Academy playoffs and also received program recognition as the 2015 Most Improved Academy in the East.

KEY PLAYERS
Defender Greg Cochran leads the team in minutes played, racking up 1,641 minutes this season, and appearing in all 19 of San Antonio FC’s USL matches to date. Cochrane was a second round 2013 MLS SuperDraft pick by the LA Galaxy. That season, Cochrane made 12 league appearances with the LA side before heading to Chicago Fire for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. He signed with San Antonio FC on February 25, 2016 and has cemented his place on the starting lineup. Cochrane has helped keep the fourth lowest numbers of goals allowed in the Western Conference for San Antonio FC, tied at 21 with Rio Grande Valley FC. Cochrane has three assists so far in the 2016 USL season and was named to the Team of the Week for Week 16.

Midfielder Carlos Alvarez leads the club in assists, recording four in 19 matches. Alvarez also scored a goal in San Antonio’s 1-1 draw against LA Galaxy II on April 13. Alvarez is third in minutes played, just behind defenders Cochrane and Milton Palacios. Alvarez spent last season on loan with Charlotte Independence from the Colorado Rapids. In his time with Charlotte, Alvarez started 16 matches in 22 appearances, scored two goals and recorded four assists. After spending his collegiate soccer career at the University of Connecticut, Alvarez was picked second overall in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft by Chivas USA. He made his MLS debut with Chivas USA on March 17, 2013 against LA Galaxy.

Goalkeeper Josh Ford has made the most of his time with San Antonio FC, starting in 15 of the club’s 19 USL matches. Ford has allowed just 13 goals in his 15 appearances and made 43 saves. Ford played collegiately at the University of Connecticut, setting several school records, including shutouts (50), consecutive starts (85) and wins (54). He was also named the 2010 Big East Goalkeeper of the Year. Ford was suspended for four matches after receiving a red card in San Antonio FC’s 0-0 draw with OKC Energy FC on July 9, but the suspension was later reduced to three matches. Ford will be available for San Antonio FC’s clash against Republic FC.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

San Antonio FC signed forward Franck Tayou on June 16. Tayou has spent the majority of his career as an indoor soccer player, most recently playing for the Soles de Sonora in the Major Arena Soccer League. In the 2015-2016 season, Tayou was named the MASL MVP, recording a league-leading 47 goals, as well as 15 assists in 20 matches. Tayou has also capped for the U.S. Futsal National Team. Since signing in June, Tayou has scored three goals in seven appearances with San Antonio FC.

Forward Taylor Morgan was acquired by San Antonio FC from Tulsa Roughnecks FC on June 22. Morgan spent the first part of the 2016 USL season in Tulsa, making 12 appearances and scoring one goal. The 25-year-old forward began his career with the Southampton FC Academy, spending four years at the famed academy before joining the Queens Park Rangers Academy.

Morgan played collegiately in the United States at George Mason University, where he scored 23 goals in 50 appearances. So far in his time in San Antonio, Morgan has recorded 205 minutes in four appearances.

Most recently, San Antonio FC signed midfielder Diego Garcia on July 7. The 18-year-old midfielder is local to San Antonio, having first impressed San Antonio FC coaching staff at the club’s tryouts earlier this year. Garcia concluded his season with Lonestar SC in the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy in May and trained with San Antonio FC prior to his signing.

2016 SEASON RECAP

San Antonio FC recorded their first USL win in club history in their season opener at Seattle Sounders FC 2 with a 3-0 win. The team then went a four match winless streak before earning their first ever home victory against Tulsa Roughnecks FC, winning the match 3-1. The club had another rough patch, not seeing a victory for five straight matches.

San Antonio turned their form around in June. From June 11 through July 16, San Antonio FC went a six match unbeaten streak, defeating Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, Orange County Blues FC, Tulsa Roughnecks FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, and tying with Portland Timbers 2 and OKC Energy FC.

Four players are tied for leading club goal scorer, all four having recorded three goals this season. The offensive responsibilities have been spread across the team, with 12 different players scoring at least one goal and nine different players recording an assist for San Antonio FC in 2016.

Currently, San Antonio FC sit in 11th place in the Western Conference standings with 24 points, just three points out of a playoff position.