SAN ANTONIO – The 2018 season for San Antonio FC has been anything but consistent.
It's hard to find a rhythm when the squad's success seems more like a roller-coaster ride.
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Since July 21, SAFC's success has come in spurts.
San Antonio started a four-game winning streak toward the end of July, but then followed it up with a four-game losing streak.
San Antonio started racking up the points Aug. 29 while beginning a three-game winning streak.
What happened after was something no team wants near the end of the regular season: a three-game losing streak.
As a result, San Antonio FC has fallen out of the top eight spots in the Western Conference.
"Every league has its challenges, whether it's home or away," head coach Darren Powell told KSAT 12 Sports. "We certainly had some challenges in the results of the games last week, and what we always do with the players is look for that response."
That response is something Powell hopes will turn into another winning streak as SAFC begins the final stretch of the regular season.
San Antonio will play three straight home games at Toyota Field, beginning Saturday against the Seattle Sounders FC 2.
Despite Seattle having the worst record in the United Soccer League's Western Conference, they were able to defeat San Antonio back on Aug. 11.
"We do understand the type of soccer that (Seattle) will play and what they're trying to do. We will then try to counteract that and play to our strengths," Powell said.
There is not a lot of room for error going forward.
San Antonio is in ninth place, sitting six points behind St. Louis FC for the final playoff spot in the West standings.
"Obviously, being at home in familiar surroundings with wonderful fans, it's very important that we come out Saturday night to earn those points to keep the pressure on everybody else trying to secure those playoff spots," Powell said.
Playing at home has been kinder to San Antonio in comparison with their road record. SAFC finished 4-9-4 on the road this season, while currently holding a home record of 8-3-3 at Toyota Field.
Regardless of those numbers, the team knows the challenge ahead of them, and playing at home could be what the team needs to reach the postseason.
"I think we're very much alive. If we get three points on Saturday night, it puts pressure on the other teams above to make sure they maintain their status," Powell said.
"So it's just going to be a massive, big fight to the final whistle by our guys because that's what we do, and we're looking forward to that challenge."