San Antonio FC Beats Detroit City FC 1-0 in Season Opener

March 12, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – San Antonio FC News Release

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio FC topped Detroit City FC 1-0 tonight, moving to 1-0-0 on the season and keeping a streak of three-straight shutout wins on opening night.

Fabien Garcia, playing in his first match with SAFC, headed a cross in the 68th minute to put the club ahead. The SAFC defense held Detroit City to just two shots on goal, both of which were saved by goalkeeper Cristian Bonilla.


San Antonio FC is back in action next weekend, traveling to Southern California to take on LA Galaxy II. Kickoff on Saturday is set for 6:00 p.m. CT.

Scoring Summary:

SAFC: 1-0, Fabien Garcia (Assisted by Justin Dhillon) 68′

Disciplinary Summary:

DET: Yellow Card (Antoine Hoppenot) 10′

SAFC: Yellow Card (Mohammed Abu) 23′

SAFC: Yellow Card (Carter Manley) 26′

DET: Yellow Card (Bradley Dunwell) 45′

SAFC: Yellow Card (Justin Dhillon) 84′

Attendance: 6,033

SAFC Starting XI: GK: Cristian Bonilla; D: Mitchell Taintor, Fabien Garcia, Carter Manley; M: Connor Maloney, PC (captain), Mohammed Abu, Ates Diouf (David Loera 56′), Deshane Beckford (Jordan Ayimbila 96′); F: Justin Dhillon

Substitutions not used: Matt Cardone, Jordan Farr, Roman Holt, Diedie Traore, Kai Louviere

Postgame Notes:

SAFC remains unbeaten in the last four home openers, moving to 3-0-1 with the last three all being shutout wins.

All-time, SAFC is now 5-1-1 in the first game of the season, with a +8 goal differential.

Fabien Garcia scored his first goal with SAFC, finishing a ball from Justin Dhillon in the 68th minute to give SAFC a 1-0 lead. Last season with Austin Bold FC, the defender posted a career-high four goals.

Keeper Cristian Bonilla posted a clean sheet in his first USL Championship appearance, making two saves in the win.

Garcia joins Cristian Bonilla, Carter Manley, Shannon Gomez, Ates Diouf, Deshane Beckford, David Loera and Jordan Ayimbila as players that made their SAFC debuts tonight.

Dhillon’s assist on Garcia’s goal was his first of the season, after finishing last season with three.

Quotes:

Head Coach Alen Marcina

(On the match result…)

“I though our guys put in a solid performance. We were cohesive, we were ultra
competitive, demonstrated our resilience and earned the three points.”

Goalkeeper Cristian Bonilla

(On what he thought of his performance…)

“I felt like this game was amazing as the first game, for us to win this game. For
the fans, the stadium and the city. I hope to be here for a long time.”

Defender Fabien Garcia

(On his goal…)

“I was just trying to follow the play, I felt like something was going to happen. So I
just followed the ball … I was just at the right time at the right spot. I can’t explain
it, sometimes you just get lucky but I’ll take it.”

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