San Antonio FC (13-7-8) scored their highest goal tally of the season, defeating Memphis 901 FC (10-9-8) 4-2 on Sunday at Toyota Field. Two goals from Nathan and additional goals from Justin Dhillon and Jose Gallegos were more than enough for all three points against the Eastern Conference opponents.

“I’m proud of the guys for demonstrating attacking resilience,” said SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina. “If you look at the first 15 minutes, we were unfortunate not to be up by multiple goals. Then to concede, we needed to keep working and we deservingly scored one back…I’m just incredibly proud of them to maintain and stay resilient because it’s easy to sometimes doubt yourself and they didn’t.”

San Antonio started hot out of the gates and created a number of chances within the first 20 minutes. The side should have probably taken the lead but forced a couple of saves from Cody Cropper and struck the post twice via Marcus Epps and Gallegos. Against the run of play, it would actually be Memphis who would take the lead. A great pass opened up space for Kyle Murphy who found Michael Salazar for a tap in to take the lead in the 22nd minute.

SAFC would respond quickly however, once again getting back into their attacking groove. In the 30th minute, a great pass from Mitch Taintor found Mathieu Deplagne who’s cut back in turn found Gallegos. The SAFC Pro Academy product then lashed the ball past the diving Cropper to even the score. The teams entered halftime even despite SAFC controlling the first 45 minutes.

The Alamo City club would take advantage of their attacking display with a great second half that saw three goals for the home side. Dhillon gave SAFC the 2-1 lead in the 54th minute with a deflected strike after some great skill from Epps, then the former Sounders forward collected an assist to go with his goal when he played in Nathan who finished in the 66th minute. The Brazilian would complete his SAFC record fourth brace of the season in the 86th with a wonderful solo goal after Epps’ second assist.

Nathan is now just the third player in SAFC history to hit double digit goals in a single season (also, Billy Forbes-2017; Ever Guzman-2018). Nathan added five shots and three key passes in his SWBC Man of the Match performance. SAFC will now host FC Tulsa next Saturday, October 16 at Toyota Field.

Scoring Summary:

901FC: 0-1, Michael Salazar (Kyle Murphy assist) 22’

SAFC: 1-1, Jose Gallegos (Mathieu Deplagne assist) 30’

SAFC: 2-1, Justin Dhillon (Marcus Epps assist) 54’

SAFC: 3-1, Nathan (Justin Dhillon assist) 66’

SAFC: 4-1, Nathan (Marcus Epps assist) 86’

901FC: 4-2, Kadeem Dacres (penalty) 90’

Disciplinary Summary:

SAFC: Yellow Card (Mathieu Deplagne) 11’

901FC: Yellow Card (Michael Salazar) 13’

SAFC: Yellow Card (Nathan) 44’

SAFC: Yellow Card (Jasser Khmiri) 45’

SAFC: Yellow Card (Mitch Taintor) 51’

901FC: Yellow Card (Skylar Thomas) 73’

SAFC: Yellow Card (Matt Cardone) 82’

SAFC: Red Card (Jasser Khmiri) 90’

Attendance: 5,005

SAFC Starting XI: GK: Matthew Cardone; D: Jasser Khmiri, Mitch Taintor, Kortne Ford (Joaquin Varela 90’), M: Mathieu Deplagne (Same Gleadle 68’), Mohammed Abu, Jose Gallegos (Ollie Wright 81’), Connor Maloney (c) (Chris Lema 90’), Marcus Epps; F: Justin Dhillon (Cam Lindley 68’), Nathan

Substitutions not used: Carlos Mercado, Axel Sjoberg

Postgame Notes:

• SAFC defeated Memphis 901 FC in the first meeting between the two sides in club history…SAFC is now 4-0-1 against Eastern Conference teams in 2021, and are 4-0-2 against the East all-time
• SAFC scored four goals for the first time this season and the ninth time in team history in regular season matches…SAFC has scored three goals six times in 2021 in single matches prior to tonight, and the all-time single game SAFC record for goals is five which came on 8/24/19 vs. New Mexico
• Forward Nathan was named the SWBC Man of the Match after scoring two goals and adding five shots and three key passes…marks his first goals since 9/4 vs. PIT and his fourth brace on the season…his four braces are the most in SAFC history, and he currently leads the team with 10 goals…becomes just the third player all-time in SAFC history to notch 10 goals in a season
• SAFC forward Justin Dhillon recorded a goal and an assist in the match, marking his third consecutive match with either a goal or an assist…his seven goals are good for second on the club
• SAFC midfielder Jose Gallegos scored his fifth goal of the season and his first since 9/15 at Red Bulls II…the 20-year-old added three chances created and five successful dribbles…his 87 successful dribbles are the most in the USL Championship
• SAFC defender Sam Gleadle made his return after missing the last nine matches with a lower body injury…Gleadle recorded two tackles in 22 minutes as a second-half substitute
• SAFC midfielder Mohammed Abu recorded a team-high 88.9 percent passing accuracy to go with team highs in tackles (three), interceptions (four) and possessions gained (19)