Semifinal berth at stake in playoff opener at Toyota Field
San Antonio FC’S annual tradition of hosting a playoff game continues Saturday night when they welcome Colorado Springs Switchbacks to Toyota Field for an 8 p.m. first kick. This is the fourth straight season that San Antonio has made the USL Playoffs and the fourth straight season to host a playoff game.
This year’s playoff game pits the fourth seed San Antonio FC against the five seed Colorado Springs in the Western Conference quarterfinals. The winner advances to face the winner of Sacramento Republic-new Mexico United in the semifinals next weekend.
“We have great energy, great mindset,” San Antonio coach Alen Marcina said. “This is what we’ve prepared for from preseason on. Guys are fully committed and excited. The idea is to put on a good performance for our fans and hopefully progress against an excellent Colorado (Springs) team.”
San Antonio fell to the four seed on the last day of the season when it tied
SAFC VS. COLORADO SPRINGS
When/where: 8 p.m. Saturday at Toyota Field. TV: ESPN+.
with Indy Eleven and saw Orange County and San Diego both get wins. San Antonio would have clinched the two seed with a win over Indy Eleven.
“Our mentality now that its playoffs is win or go home,” San Antonio defender Connor Maloney said. “In the playoffs nothing is guaranteed. You have to leave it all out there on Saturday because it could be the last day or you could be playing next week. We know Colorado (Springs) is a good side and we will be prepared as much as possible.”
San Antonio and Colorado Springs are no strangers to each other. They met twice this season. San Antonio FC won 1-0 at Toyota Field in March. The two teams settled for a 1-1 draw at Colorado Springs in September.
The two clubs met last season in the Western Conference finals at Toyota Field. San Antonio won 2-0 on their way to winning the USL Championship.
San Antonio goes into the playoffs coming off a regular season in which they set a club record with 63 goals scored. SAFC also allowed the third fewest goals in the league with 38 goals against.
San Antonio FC is 6-1-2 all-time in playoff games since their first playoff game back in 2017.
If San Antonio beats Colorado Springs, they will have two possible options for their conference semifinal location. A San Antonio win and New
Mexico beating Sacramento would mean San Antonio hosts New Mexico next Saturday at Toyota Field. A San Antonio win and a Sacramento win would mean that San Antonio travels to Sacramento next Friday night.
“We are focused on the next game and not looking back in the past,” San Antonio defender Carter Manley said. “That’s been the mentality we’ve had throughout the regular season. We are focused on performing in this next game. Colorado (Springs) is a very dangerous attack team.”