US Open Cup: San Antonio FC looking to earn respect after historic start

San Antonio FC have dominated the USL Western Conference in their sophomore season. The US Open Cup offers a chance to prove themselves against the best.

Through the 2017 professional soccer landscape domestically, only one team remains undefeated, San Antonio FC. San Antonio has dominated in USL play with a 9-0-2 record, the league’s best goal difference with a +17, and a point total of 29. Their point total and record is the best in USL, putting them ahead of Eastern Conference leaders Charleston Battery (23), Tampa Bay Rowdies (21), Louisville City (15), and FC Cincinnati (15).

Only conference rivals Real Monarchs (who have amassed 27 points), the b-team of MLS side Real Salt Lake, are within 14 points of San Antonio in conference play, as third place Tulsa Roughnecks sit with 15. Their strong start has even drawn some historical comparison to other great domestic sides.

San Antonio now look to advance in US Open Cup play, this time on the road against the aforementioned Tulsa Roughnecks. Should they win their clash against conference foes, San Antonio will have a chance to take the current cup champions, FC Dallas.

History

San Antonio FC’s soccer roots are still very young. The club made their USL debut in 2016 after purchasing Toyota Stadium from the San Antonio Scorpions of the NASL as part of a bid to bring an MLS team to the Alamo City.

Their MLS future is still in limbo, but for now they call the USL home. After finishing 10th in the Western Conference in their debut season, San Antonio overhauled their roster. Among the new faces were defenders Sebastien Ibeagha, who has played every minute for SAFC this season, and Ben Newman. Coupled with returning players Greg Cochrane and Stephen McCarthey, the defending core have only allowed four total goals in league play this season.

Along with the defenders, midfield pieces Kris Tyrpak and Pecka brought several years of USL and NASL experience between them.  They’ve partnered with club veteran Rafael Castillo. Castillo led the San Antonio Scorpions in their final days in the NASL, including a league title, and has led SAFC ever since. He touts international experience from all over the globe and has also scored three goals for the Colombian National Team.

All of the new faces have played a key role in their strong start, but their driving force this year was a familiar face for San Antonio fans.

The Return of Billy Forbes

Attacker Billy Forbes made his way to San Antonio in 2014 to play for the Scorpions after bouncing around the USL-PDL. Forbes would play a key role in the Scorpions 2014 NASL season, along with Rafa Castillo, which would see them become league champions. Billy even scored the deciding goal in the 2-1 victory over the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

After the Scorpions folded, Forbes played nearly every match for league newcomers Rayo OKC, scoring three times. Rayo OKC closed up shop as well, and Forbes chose to head back to his old stomping grounds in Texas.

He signed with SAFC in January. Forbes currently leads San Antonio in goals with six, in assists with three, and has started all 11 of the club’s matches. His strong play earned him USL Player of the Month for both March and April. Billy’s play will help determine if SAFC has what it takes for a cup run.

US Open Cup

While SAFC struggled in league play last season, they advanced twice in Open Cup play before falling 4-0 to the Houston Dynamo. They’ll look to redeem themselves this year, but first they’ll have to take care of the Roughnecks. The two USL clubs have only met in preseason this year, a feisty, card filled, match that ended in a 1-1 draw.

Both clubs have improved since then, but San Antonio has been a cut above all lower league teams. Despite heading on the road, look for San Antonio to control this match.

Prediction:

San Antonio FC 2 – Tulsa Roughnecks 0

When: March 31, 2017. 8:00 pm EST

Where: Hurricane Soccer and Track Stadium. Tulsa, OK

Watch: USSoccer.com