BEST OF 2022: Uvalde football, Manu Ginobili, San Antonio FC headline San Antonioโs Top 12 sports stories of the year
Uvalde football's incredible rally, Manu Ginobili's induction into the Hall of Fame and San Antonio FC's historic first title are three of the top 12 sports stories from an unforgettable 2022.
U.S. Soccer is making a statement with Pride Crest during World Cup in Qatar
There are many reasons to criticize FIFA for the way theyโve handled the Menโs World Cup that is about to begin in Qatar, and at the top of that list is that they chose to have it in a nation with egregious human rights violations.
Will the U.S. men blow their chance for a World Cup spot, like they did for the 2018 event?
Nearly five years after the United States menโs national soccer team famously blew a spot in the 2018 World Cup by losing to a vastly inferior Trinidad and Tobago squad in October of 2017 in the final game of qualifying, the moment of redemption has finally arrived for the Americans.
Patiรฑo scores early, San Antonio FC wins first ever match against Birmingham Legion FC
Thanks to some offensive pressure from Jose Gallegos, Santiago Patiรฑo scored the opening goal in the first minute of play and San Antonio FC got back in the win column with a 2-1 victory at home in their first ever match against Birmingham Legion on Saturday night.
PERFECT START: Patiรฑo scores hat trick, San Antonio FC opens season with 3-0 victory
With fans back at Toyota Field for a home opener for the first time in two years, San Antonio FC did not disappoint. Santiago Patiรฑo tallied a hat trick, and the Alamo City club defeated Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 3-0 on Saturday night.
San Antonio FC looking for returners to step up, establish culture heading into season opener
With the USL season now six days away from starting at Toyota Field, San Antonio FC is relying on the returning starters from last year's team to step up and establish the team culture in order to make another run at the playoffs.
LEE boys soccer defeats Jersey Village 2-0, returns to UIL State championship game
Julian Sanchez tallied a goal and an assist, as the LEE Volunteers defeated Jersey Village in the UIL Class 6A State semifinals on Tuesday night, punching their tickets to the championship game for the second time in the last three seasons.
Johnsonโs Samuel Moore talks English heritage, commitment to University of Chester
After an impressive senior season with the Johnson Jaguars, forward Samuel Moore has committed to play college soccer overseas at the University of Chester, earning an opportunity to further explore his English heritage.
San Antonio FC to participate in preseason tournament against MLS clubs
SAN ANTONIO โ This time last season, San Antonio FC was in limbo awaiting word from the United Soccer League on when they would resume their season amidst the burgeoning COVID-19 pandemic. On Friday afternoon, the club announced that they would compete in a brand new, three-game preseason tournament that will include round-robin matches against MLS clubs from around the state of Texas. Collectively, the clubs have dubbed this tournament โLa Copita.โAfter their preseason opener against North Texas SC this Saturday, San Antonio will begin play in the tournament with a home-and-home series against FC Dallas starting at Toyota Field on March 27. AdPRESEASON SCHEDULEDate Opponent Location March 20 vs. North Texas SC Toyota Field, San Antonio March 27 vs. FC Dallas* Toyota Field, San Antonio April 2 at FC Dallas* Frisco April 10 at Austin FC* Austin April 24 vs. Rio Grande Valley FC Toros Toyota Field, San Antonio* La Copita tournament gamesDue to ongoing health and safety protocols, all preseason matches will be closed to the public. Unlike last season, which featured a shortened, regionalized schedule, San Antonio FC will be part of the traditional Mountain Division for the 2021 campaign, alongside Austin Bold FC, El Paso Locomotive FC, New Mexico United, RGV FC, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and Real Monarchs.
HBO Max documentary to focus on U.S. Womenโs soccer team, equal pay lawsuits
(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)In case you were living under a rock during the summer of 2019, the U.S. Womenโs National Soccer Team took the world by storm when the squad won the Womenโs World Cup for the second consecutive time, and fourth time overall. The national team has been in a legal battle with U.S. Soccer for a couple years now, fighting for equal compensation. The women claim that the menโs national team makes more money than they do. The fight has been a rallying cry for the womenโs national team. Fans even chanted โequal payโ during the final match of the 2019 World Cup.
HIGHLIGHTS: Schertz John Paul II boys, girls battle for TAPPS Division III State soccer titles
ROUND ROCK โ Both the girls and boys soccer teams from Schertz John Paul II qualified for their respective TAPPS Division III State Championship Game, and they come up just short in dramatic battles with Dallas Covenant School. Champion Score Runner-Up Boys Dallas Covenant School 1-0 Schertz John Paul II Girls Dallas Covenant School 3-1 Schertz John Paul IIMORE TAPPS STATE SOCCER COVERAGE
John Paul IIโs Emilie Rompel in pursuit of impressive career milestone
NEW BRAUNFELS โ The reigning TAPPS Division III state champion John Paul II girls soccer team is rolling through the regular season thanks in large part to the play of junior forward Emilie Rompel, who is closing in on scoring her 100th career goal.
Former San Antonio FC executive dies after battle with COVID-19
SAN ANTONIO โ The San Antonio FC is mourning the loss of one of its executives after he lost his battle with COVID-19. According to an announcement on social media from the team on Sunday, Joey Harvey, a ticket sales manager and one of the clubโs first employees, passed away after he contracted the virus. The team released the following statement following Harveyโs death:โItโs with a heavy heart that we mourn the loss of Joey Harvey after a brief battle with COVID-19. Joey was a friend to many of us and an integral part of our family as one of our clubโs first employees. We will remember him for bringing joy to those around him.โRelated: SAPD mourns after veteran officer dies of COVID-19
San Antonio FCโs season ends in controversial loss to New Mexico United
Unfortunately, the teamโs magic carpet ride of a season came to an abrupt end on Saturday evening. San Antonioโs offense never found the back of the net in a 1-0 overtime loss to New Mexico United in the Western Conference Quarterfinals at Toyota Field. โIt was a clear handball," said defender Joshua Yaro. He used his hand to touch the ball in front of him, so itโs a clear handball. It was a clear handball on their goal.
Perruzza tallies brace, San Antonio FC tops OKC Energy FC 2-0
SAN ANTONIO โ Even though San Antonio FC clinched their first playoff berth since 2017 on Wednesday, the team still had plenty to play for when they took the pitch at Toyota Field to face OKC Energy FC on Saturday night. Playing in his third match since being acquired on loan from Toronto FC on Sept. 8, Perruzza scored his first two goals with the club and generated numerous chances to power San Antonio to a 2-0 victory over OKC Energy. San Antonio ends their home schedule with a perfect 8-0-0 record. For the game, San Antonio dominated offensively, outshooting OKC 21-9, with seven shots on target. San Antonio native Matt Cardone notched three saves to record the clubโs seventh clean sheet this season.
Gallegos scores game-winner, San Antonio FC clinches first playoff berth since 2017
SAN ANTONIO โ Last week, San Antonio FC let an opportunity to clinch a playoff berth slip away. San Antonio improves to 9-1-3 on the season and leads the entire USL Western Conference standings with 30 points. Midfielder Cristian Parano found his fellow Argentinian cutting into the box and he buried a shot into the back of the net to give San Antonio a 1-0 lead. #Defend210 pic.twitter.com/Y9QMhvaHMX โ San Antonio FC (@SanAntonioFC) September 17, 2020Now, for the second time in club history, San Antonio can start preparing for a playoff run. San Antonio FC will wrap up their home schedule with a match against OKC this Saturday at 8 p.m.
San Antonio FCs Alen Marcina named USL Coach of the Month
SAN ANTONIO As the only remaining undefeated team in the USL, it is natural that San Antonio FC would garner national recognition. Wednesday afternoon, the USL Championship named Marcina the Coach of the Month for August after he led the Alamo City club to a 5-0-2 record. The August Coach of the Month award goes to @SanAntonioFC's Alen Marcina! More https://t.co/hiuEF7yLKr USL Championship (@USLChampionship) September 9, 2020Its an honor to receive this award, Marcina said. The match is scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. CT.MORE SAN ANTONIO FC COVERAGE
Solignac scores fastest goal in club history, San Antonio FC tops RGV FC 3-2
SAN ANTONIO โ For the first time since March, fans were allowed into Toyota Field to watch San Antonio FC play a match. With the win, San Antonio improves their record to 8-0-3. His team-leading sixth goal of the season is also the fastest goal in SAFC history -- tied for the fastest in USL history -- and it gave San Antonio a 1-0 lead. Itโs Gorskieโs first goal as a member of San Antonio FC. Next, San Antonio will hit the road to face El Paso Locomotive FC, their first non-Group D opponent since their season-opener against Real Monarchs SLC.
Viral youth soccer standout, Mabry Williams, trains daily in hopes of continued success
Soon the video was being retweeted by some of the biggest names in sports โ including FIFA Womenโs World Cup and SportsCenter. โAll my friends texted me as soon as it happened, โMabry I see youโre on the news, youโre on Good Morning America, thatโs so cool! I know you,โโ said Mabry who will be a freshman this fall at Johnson High School in San Antonio. Mabryโs play even earned a 2020 ESPY nomination for Canโt-Stop-Watching Moment where she advanced in the voting to the quarterfinals. โYou need to like have fun while youโre doing it because if youโre not having fun while doing it, thereโs no point because you want to enjoy it,โ said Mabry.
San Antonio FCโs match against RGV FC postponed due to positive COVID-19 test
SAN ANTONIO โ UPDATE: San Antonio FCโs match against RGV FC has been rescheduled for Sunday, July 19. Unfortunately, San Antonio FC fans will have to wait a little longer to see the team make their return to the pitch. Thursday evening, the Alamo City club officially announced that Fridayโs match with RGV FC has been postponed. The decision was made โout of an abundance of caution following a positive COVID-19 testโ from an undisclosed member of the RGV FC organization. MORE SAN ANTONIO FC COVERAGE
Marcina: San Antonio FC โincredibly excitedโ for season restart
SAN ANTONIO โ SECOND UPDATE: San Antonio FCโs match against RGV FC has been rescheduled for Sunday, July 19. UPDATE: San Antonio FCโs match tomorrow has been postponed due to a positive COVID-19 test from an undisclosed member of the RGV FC organization. Tomorrow night, San Antonio FC will take the pitch for a regular season match for the first time since their season-opening victory over Real Monarchs SLC in March. โฌ๏ธ๐ฅ #Defend210 pic.twitter.com/W0lQiFwejv โ San Antonio FC (@SanAntonioFC) July 16, 2020Their opponent has already made their return to USL Championship action. We support each other and the guys who are playing while also waiting to step up when our name is called to make the most of any opportunity.โSAFC and RGV FC take the pitch at H-E-B Park tomorrow night at 8 p.m.MORE SAN ANTONIO FC COVERAGE
San Antonio FC wont allow fans to attend first home match on July 25
SAN ANTONIO The release of the USLs revised 2020 regular season last week meant that San Antonio FC was another step closer to normalcy. But with seven home games left to play at Toyota Field and a fresh wave of positive coronavirus cases throughout the state of Texas, the question remained unanswered: would fans be allowed to attend? At least for SAFCs first home game after the restart, the answer is no. Our primary focus in hosting games during this pandemic continues to be the safety and welfare of all constituents, including participants, fans and game-day staff. The more difficult decision will come in mid-August, as San Antonio prepares to start a three-game, eight-day home stand at Toyota Field against Austin Bold FC, OKC Energy FC and FC Tulsa.
The Latest: Madrid forward Vincius to repeat virus test
All rights reserved)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane says forward Vincius Jnior will need to have another coronavirus test after an initial test result came out wrong.Zidane says the doctor informed me that the test had come out wrong and we were going to repeat it.Zidane says the Brazilian's test was not positive. It wasnt negative or positive.Spanish league players have undergone regular testing since the competition resumed last month. Some players and staff members at Valencia and Alavs tested positive in March. No player has tested positive since the competition resumed in empty stadiums. Madrid leads the Spanish league with four games left.
San Antonio FC finding new normal as USL prepares to resume season
The USL Championship is going through that same phase right now. Last week, the USL announced that the 2020 season would resume with a shortened, 16-game World Cup format. San Antonio FC will compete in the Western Conferences Group D alongside traditional rivals OKC Energy FC, Rio Grande Valley FC, Austin Bold FC and TC Tulsa. With the season roughly two weeks away from restarting, the Alamo City club is thrilled to be back on the pitch together. All of these individual workouts and things we do on our own... theres only so much that actually translates.
The Latest: Man City allowed to play Liverpool at home
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___Manchester City has been given permission to host Liverpool in the Premier League on July 2 at Etihad Stadium. The Man City-Liverpool match had been one of five games the police asked to be held at a neutral venue to keep away fans because of safety concerns. But Manchester City Councils safety advisory group says there are no objections to the match at Citys home stadium. The safety advisory group included representatives from the city council, Greater Manchester Police, fire and rescue services, and supporters groups. ___The rugby final of the postponed European Champions Cup has been set for Oct. 17 and the final of the second-tier Challenge Cup will be the day before.
Virus cases at Djokovic's event put sports under scrutiny
Grigor Dimitrov, a three-time Grand Slam semifinalist from Bulgaria, said Sunday he tested positive for the virus. Borna Coric played Dimitrov on Saturday in Zadar and said Monday he has also tested positive for the virus. In a separate incident, Serbian soccer club Red Star Belgrade said five of its players had tested positive for the virus. There has also been an increase in virus cases among soccer players in other countries, notably Russia. Djokovics decision to fly home to Serbia before being tested has also attracted scrutiny.
Russian court hands prison terms to youth group members
Yuliy Boyarshinov, right, and Viktor Filinkov, members of a left-wing group Set (Network) listen a court verdict from inside a glass cage in the Western regional military court in St.Petersburg, Russia, Monday, June 22, 2020. Members of the left-wing youth group Set (Network) were accused of terrorism, in a case human rights advocates believe to be fabricated and based on testimony elicited by torture. (AP Photo/David Frenkel)ST. PETERSBURG A Russian military court convicted two members of a left-wing youth group of terrorism Monday in a case that human rights groups called fabricated and based on coerced testimony. A three-judge panel in the court in St. Petersburg found Victor Filinkov, 25, and Yuly Boyarshinov, 28, guilty of membership in a terrorist organization. Both were said to belong to the Set (Network) group, seven members of which were convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms earlier this year in Penza, a city 500 kilometres (310 miles) southeast of Moscow.
Mallorca hopes trailblazing tourists kickstart economy
But Spains Balearic Islands are betting that their Mediterranean blue waters, warm sun and sandy beaches are enough to lure back the tourists that their residents' livelihoods depend on. The beach is empty, German tourist Martin Hofmann said Wednesday while walking along the beach of Palma, Mallorca's main city. In Spains Balearic and Canary Islands, however, the dependence on tourism jumps to over 30% of their economies. The Balearic Islands economy is on course for a very deep recession, said Carmen Planas, the president of the business group. But until then, the Balearic Islands are off-limits for visitors, even for Spaniards from the mainland, except for the trial run of German tourists.