Offense can’t solve Western leader’s defense
In its only home game of April, San Antonio FC earned a clean sheet against Western Conference-leading Orange County SC on Saturday night.
Unfortunately for San Antonio, the offense could not solve the Orange County defense and the match finished in a 0-0 draw.
“It was a very positive performance,” San Antonio coach Alen Marcina said. “We controlled the tempo of the game and created enough opportunities to win the game. We were able to limit OC and their chances, so we will build from this.”
San Antonio (2-1-3, nine points) had 58 percent possession and outshot Orange County (3-0-3, 12 points) 14-8, but the shots on target were even with both teams putting two shots on goal. San Antonio took seven shots inside the Orange County 18-yard box but couldn’t find the net.
“Obviously the guys wanted to get the win tonight, but it’s good when you can get the clean sheet,” San Antonio midfielder Kendall Burks said. “Orange County is top of the table, and anytime you play a top-three team, you want to keep them from scoring. And we did a good job of that tonight.”
San Antonio had the only shot on target in the first half. That came in the 37th minute when Lucas Silva shot with his left foot in the left side of the box, but Orange County goalkeeper Duran Ferree saved it. Ferree was a late addition to the Orange County starting lineup in place of regular starter Colin Shulter, who was scratched from the lineup before the game.
Orange County didn’t get its first shot on goal until the 61st minute, when Cameron Dunbar shot from just outside the box. San Antonio goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega managed to punch the attempt out for a corner kick.
“I think it was a good performance by the team,” Sisniega said. “The guys in front of me did a great job, and I didn’t have a lot to do today. We just need to be more lethal in the final third.
We wanted to get the win, but it’s still a step in the right direction.”
The visitors got a second shot on target in the 73rd minute when Ethen Zubak shot from the right side of the box, but Sisniega was able to save it.
“The collective pressing actions were good. Our individual duels were also good,” Marcina said. “Pablo (Sisniega) only had to make one save, and their keeper had to make three incredible saves. It wasn’t their regular keeper and hats off to him, if one of those saves isn’t made, we possibly get a goal and get to open things up.”
San Antonio had a couple of good chances late in the game with three of their shots blocked and a shot from Trova Boni in the 84th minute saved by Ferree. Boni was playing in the place of injured Carter Manley.
“Trova slid in nicely, and I don’t think we skipped a beat,” Burks said. “We have a nextman-up mentality, and Trova showed that tonight.”
The draw dropped San Antonio from fifth in the west to sixth. Orange County fell from first to second.
“The end product hasn’t been there yet, but we’re going to get there,” Sisniega said. “The goals haven’t come yet, but I believe they will come and once they do, it will be in bunches.”
San Antonio will be on the road next week to face Hartford Athletic. The next home game for San Antonio will be May 4 against Oakland.