San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
FRENCH CONNECTION
Like Wembanyama for Spurs, compatriot Garcia makes name for himself with SAFC
Victor Wembanyama isn’t the only Frenchman making a name for himself in the Alamo City.
Holding down the defensive back line for San Antonio FC this season is Fabien Garcia. Garcia, a native of Colomiers, France joined San Antonio FC before the 2022 season after playing three seasons at Austin Bold FC.
Since he came to San Antonio, he has played in 46 games for SAFC and started 45. Garcia was a key contributor and leader for an SAFC defense last year that only conceded 26 goals in 34 games.
“I try to read the game and the situation and try to help people on the field,” Garcia said. “I love playing in San Antonio because I’ve never defended like this in the past. I enjoy being a good defender.”
This year Garcia has moved around to each position along the backline as SAFC has dealt with injuries.
“It’s been a lot of musical chairs,” San Antonio coach Alen Marcina said. “Fabien has always been a leader but there’s been a lot more asked of him from a leadership standpoint and he’s risen to that challenge.”
In his time in San Antonio Garcia has scored three goals and three assists. This season Garcia is leading the team in clearances (86) and leading the league in interceptions (38).
“Fabi is an excellent (one-onone) defender,” defender Shannon Gomez said. “He’s an excellent communicator and he organizes our defense. He plays a massive role for us and it allows us to feel more comfortable back there. His presence is massive for us.”
Garcia has also played more minutes than any other player for San Antonio FC this season with 1,530 minutes played. Since joining San Antonio FC Garcia has played 3,994 minutes. That longevity of minutes has made Garcia a key cog in the San Antonio FC lineup.
“Fabien is an awesome guy,” Midfielder Jacori Hayes said. “My locker is next to his so we are able to talk and that communication from the locker room carries over to the field. It’s important to have that communication between the defense and the midfield so there is no free players and no lapses in the defense.”
Garcia moved past 4,000 minutes played for San Antonio FC in the sixth minute of Wednesday’s 2-1 victory at El Paso. The win was an early birthday present for Garcia, whose birthday on Friday, July 14, had special meaning for the French native.
July 14 is Bastille Day. It commemorates the start of the French Revolution in 1789 and is the French equivalent of Independence Day.
Garcia turned 29 on this year’s Bastille Day. For most of his life he has spent his birthday on a pitch preparing for seasons that in France run from August to May.
“Every time it’s my birthday there are fireworks,” Garcia said. “Besides that, it was always during summer, so we were usually in Spain with family or in France we would be in preseason training. The birthday is another day for me. I treat it as another day in the routine.”
Soccer has always been part of Garcia. His father was a coach and his older brother played professionally as well. Garcia played all over the field in his youth before settling on being a center back.
“I was going to the field watching his team play and hanging around and kicking the ball,” Garcia said. “I was just trying to follow my dad and my brother.”
Garcia started his professional career in 2012 with his hometown team, Union Sportive Colomiers. He made 15 appearances for Colomiers between 2012-2014 before joining Guingamp for the 2014-15 season. Garcia appeared in 16 games for the Guingamp reserve team and scored one goal.
In 2015-16 Garcia signed with Sedan. After a season at Sedan in which he made 26 appearances and scored two goals, Garcia joined Nimes Olympique in 2016. Garcia made 12 appearances for Nimes first team between 201618. After Nimes won promotion from Ligue 2 to Ligue 1 Garcia’s contract was not renewed. At the time Garcia was also dealing with a shoulder injury that had limited his usage with Nimes.
“I had to find another club,” Garcia said. “I had a couple of options to play second division or third division. I wanted a new challenge.”
Garcia took on a new challenge by heading to the United States. In January of 2019 he signed with Austin Bold. In his three years in Austin Garcia made 48 appearances and scored six goals.
“Growing up I’d never have thought I’d end up playing in the U.S.,” Garcia said. “The U.S. is more known for basketball and other sports than it is for soccer. It is an opportunity for me and the U.S. has a lot to offer for me.”
Garcia and San Antonio FC were back on the pitch for a friendly with English side Sunderland on Saturday before returning to USL play on July 22 at home against Miami FC.