San Antonio FC (9-6-7) started their three-game road trip with a 1-0 win at Real Monarchs SLC (4-14-4) on Saturday night. A goal from Marcus Epps and a stellar team defensive performance helped earn all three points in a match that saw goalkeeper Matthew Cardone become the all-time appearance leader for SAFC.

“I’m incredibly proud of the guys,” said SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina. “They demonstrated their resilience. We created a number of opportunities, and they maintained their confidence and kept pushing to get a goal. We knew at some point it was just a matter of time and Marcus [Epps] delivered a spectacular goal for the team.”

Despite the 0-0 score at halftime, SAFC created a number of chances in the first 45 minutes. Nathan, Epps and Gallegos all created dangerous chances but were unable to find the breakthrough. To start the second half, SAFC continued its dominance and forced a number of saves by the Monarchs keeper. Eventually, Epps received a pass from PC before dribbling past two players and scoring a beautiful strike off the underside of the crossbar from outside the 18-yard box.

The goal was Epps’ fifth of the season and third in his last five matches, while PC recorded his second assist of the season to go with a team-high four key passes. Cardone’s appearance was his 103rd in all competitions with SAFC, passing Greg Cochrane for the club lead.

SAFC will now travel across the country to face the New York Red Bulls II on Wednesday before heading back west to face Sacramento next Saturday.  

Scoring Summary:

SAFC: 1-0, Marcus Epps (PC assist) 80’

Disciplinary Summary:

SLC: Yellow Card (Kevin Saucedo) 9’

SAFC: Yellow Card (Cam Lindley) 30’

SLC: Yellow Card (Ibrahim Bance) 34’

SLC: Yellow Card (Julio Benitez) 54’

SLC: Yellow Card (James Moberg) 64’

Attendance: 1,649

SAFC Starting XI: GK: Matthew Cardone; D: Axel Sjoberg, Mitch Taintor, Kortne Ford; M: PC (c), Cam Lindley (Justin Dhillon 76’), Mohammed Abu, Connor Maloney, Marcus Epps, Jose Gallegos; F: Nathan (Chris Lema 82’)

Substitutions not used: Carlos Mercado, Joaquin Varela, Leo Torres, Shandon Hopeau

Postgame Notes:

• SAFC goalkeeper Matthew Cardone recorded his 103rd appearance in all competitions, making him the club leader in that category…Cardone passes defender Greg Cochrane who recorded 102 appearances in his three seasons with the club from 2016-18…Cardone saved 100 percent of his shots on the night to keep his fourth clean sheet of the season
• SAFC defender Mitch Taintor was named the SWBC Man of the Match after he helped lead the club to a shutout victory…Taintor recorded a team-high five interceptions to go with 10 possessions gained and an 80 percent passing accuracy
• SAFC midfielder Marcus Epps scored his fifth goal of the season and his third in his last five regular season matches…Epps added two key passes and two shots on the night
• SAFC midfielder PC recorded his second assist of the season to go with a team-high four key passes…PC added two interceptions and an 84.3 percent passing accuracy