Late goal ends SAFC’S Cup run
HOUSTON — San Antonio FC stepped up again to face MLS competition on Wednesday night.
USL points weren’t at stake. But an opportunity to continue in the prestigious U.S. Open Cup and defeat a second MLS team in a month? That was worth playing for.
It wasn’t to be, as Sebastian Ferreira’s leaping header from close range in the 82nd minute gave the Houston Dynamo a 1-0 victory over SAFC at PNC Stadium and a berth in the round of 16.
“I think overall I’m proud of the guys. In terms of their progression in Open Cup, to beat a couple very, very good teams, in particular a very strong MLS opponent,” SAFC coach Alen Marcina said. “Unfortunately our run is cut short today. We lost to a very good MLS opponent.”
Ferreira’s attempt in front of the net found the top-left corner. He was assisted by Sam Junqua after a corner kick.
“A well-deserved win, and I’m very pleased, especially how the team managed the last five, 10 minutes,” Dynamo coach Paulo Nagamura said.
Houston qualified for the round of 32 with a 2-1 victory over Rio Grande Valley FC Toros on April 19.
In the previous round, San Antonio took out MLS club Austin FC. With Wednesday’s loss, SAFC fell to 1-3 all-time in the tournament against MLS opposition.
The Dynamo never were challenged by
SAFC, who came into Wednesday in second place in the USL Championship Western Conference with seven wins and two losses.
SAFC returns to action next week with another road match against Miami FC at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Houston played solid defensively throughout. Goalkeeper Michael Nelson came up with a clean sheet, recording three saves.
“We created a few high-percentage opportunities. Unfortunately we weren’t clinical enough to give ourselves an opportunity to potentially win the game. But all in all, if we look and reflect overall, we made a good run,” Marcina said. “I’m proud of the guys, and we’ve got to now start to focus on Miami.”
Before Ferreira’s game winner, the Dynamo’s best opportunity to score came in the 63rd minute. A shot he likely makes more than he misses, Memo Rodriguez’s rightfooted attempt from the right side of the box sailed left after he received the ball at the edge of the 6yard box from Ferreira.
Nelson was tested three times in a six-minute stretch in the opening half. After a set-piece situation in the 34th minute, Mitchell Taintor’s header from the right side of the box missed to the right. Three minutes later, Nicky Hernandez’s rightfooted shot from outside the box was too high.
Hernandez was at it again in the 40th minute, but his left-footed shot from the right side of the box was saved in the top right corner by Nelson.