By John Clayton: Here's a detailed breakdown of the heart-pounding action that unfolded at the Tampa Bay Rowdies' home ground:
The match kicked off with an early lead for the Rowdies, as Cal Jennings found the back of the net with a header from a corner kick delivered by Blake Bodily in the fourth minute. Despite the early setback, San Antonio FC goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega made crucial saves to keep his team in contention, denying Damian Rivera's shot in the 12th minute.
San Antonio FC's Lucas Silva came close to equalizing in the 43rd minute with a powerful shot from the left side of the box, only to be thwarted by former SAFC goalkeeper Jordan Farr. Despite Silva's continued efforts in the second half, it was Tampa Bay who extended their lead to 2-0 in the 72nd minute, courtesy of a goal from Manuel Arteaga.
But San Antonio FC refused to back down, mounting a spirited comeback in the dying moments of the game. Substitute Bura Noguiera marked his SAFC debut with a goal in the 83rd minute, breathing new life into the contest. Kameron Lacey provided the assist for Noguiera's strike, setting the stage for a thrilling finale.
Just moments later, Carter Manley capitalized on a pass from Jorge Hernandez to level the scores at 2-2 in the first minute of stoppage time. It was a moment of sheer determination and composure as Manley found the bottom right corner of the net with a clinical finish, securing a hard-earned point for San Antonio FC.
Despite a disallowed goal that denied them a potential victory, San Antonio FC showcased their tenacity and fighting spirit throughout the match. Head coach Alen Marcina expressed pride in his team's performance, highlighting their resilience in the face of adversity.
As we look ahead, San Antonio FC will return to Toyota Field for their next home fixture against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks. With the momentum from this thrilling draw, the team is poised to continue their unbeaten form and delight fans with more captivating footballing action.
So mark your calendars, fans! Let's rally behind San Antonio FC as they aim for victory in their upcoming clash. Together, we'll show our unwavering support and cheer our team to success. Go San Antonio FC! 💪⚽ #Defend210 #SAFCFamily
Join us at Toyota Field for the next game here and be part of the excitement as we stand behind our team!
