As the Sundial seeks to expand its coverage and better serve San Antonio College and our surrounding community, we are proud to announce dedicated coverage of San Antonio FC for the 2026 season. SAFC competes in the USL Championship league, the second highest tier of professional soccer in America, just under Major League Soccer.
Owned by Spurs Sports & Entertainment, the club solidified its status as a top contender in the league when it won the USL Championship title in 2022. With the World Cup coming to North America in June, the Sundial will bring readers the beautiful game through a local lens, providing in-depth coverage of each match and serving as a bridge between the campus community and our city’s professional soccer club.
Playing its 17 home matches at Toyota Field, SAFC will take to the pitch 30 times in league play this season, and the Sundial will provide as much multimedia coverage as possible. Whether you’re a die-hard supporter or “soccer curious,” we invite you to join us for our inaugural season of SAFC coverage.
Here is Sundial reporter Hamilton Stewart’s coverage of the club’s first three games:
San Antonio FC Defeat Phoenix Rising 2-1 in Season Opener
On a cold and rainy season-opening night at Toyota Field March 7, San Antonio FC bested Phoenix Rising 2-1. Now in its 11th season, SAFC remains unbeaten in home openers.
Kitted in the club’s red and black uniforms, SAFC Midfielder Jorge Hernandez struck first blood early with a goal in the sixth minute.
In his first game back from an injury that sidelined him for much of the last season, SAFC Defender Alex Crognale added what proved to be the game-winner early in the second half, putting SAFC ahead 2-0 in the 49th minute and starting off the 2026 campaign with a bang. Crognale’s goal came on a brilliant assist from Forward Cristian Parano – his second of the evening.
“Six months, 15 days was the last time I played here at Toyota Field, so it was huge for me,” Crognale said. “It was the longest break in my career with an injury like that. I worked my ass off to get back here on the field – to be strong and ready to go. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. My family’s here. Scoring the goal that ended up being the winner – it was special.”
Homegrown Goalkeeper Joey Batrouni was stellar for San Antonio, giving up just one goal on a penalty kick by Phoenix Midfielder JP Searce in the 53rd minute.
“It feels great for me, and my family and friends, being from the city. It’s a lot of pressure, but it’s what I’ve been working for. It’s really surreal,” Batrouni said.
In his second season at the helm, Head Coach Carlos Llamosa already sees a stark contrast in this year’s team from last.
“I think we looked more aggressive tonight, compared with a year ago – on both sides of the ball,” Llamosa said.
San Antonio is now 8-0-3 all-time in home openers and 8-8-3 all-time versus Phoenix.
SAFC’s First Road Test Ends in Scoreless Draw
There was no love lost between San Antonio FC and FC Tulsa on the pitch March 14 at ONEOK Field in Tulsa, Okla., as the two sides battled to a scoreless draw.
Early yellow cards set the tone for the chippy, physical, stop-and-start match, which was a defensive struggle highlighted by scant chances created by set pieces, dramatic saves and multiple fouls. Neither team was able to control the run of play or mount a sustained attack.
San Antonio Goalkeeper and native Joey Batrouni got his second career start and first clean sheet for the black and silver.
Batrouni had a heroic save in the 45th minute at the end of the first half along with back-to-back saves in the 71st minute off two corners by FC Tulsa, which were the only real scoring threats of the night.
SAFC Sits Atop West After 1-0 Win Over New Mexico United
After a disappointing 0-0 draw on the road against FC Tulsa March 14, San Antonio FC bounced back with a 1-0 win over New Mexico United at Toyota Field March 21.
Defender Danny Barbir’s header off a free kick in the 74th minute found the back of the net, securing a victory and exacting revenge against the club that eliminated San Antonio from the playoffs last year. It’s the club’s first victory over New Mexico since 2023.
A hardnosed run of play and possession-dominant philosophy has begun to define SAFC’s 2026 squad, which now sits atop the USL Championship’s Western Conference at 2-0-1, tied for the top spot with Oakland Roots SC.
Physical play defined the match against New Mexico as seven yellow cards were issued. In an intense battle for possession, each side mounted attacks that led to multiple opportunities, which were mostly defended well.
It came down to a set piece late in the second half in which Barbir flicked a header from a skillfully placed free kick by Midfielder Jorge Hernandez.
“I knew I just needed to stay locked in because the ball could fall to me. And the free kick there – it fell right to me,” Barbir said.
Having only allowed one goal this season so far, SAFC was also stingy on defense.
“We have some dogs in the back, honestly,” Barbir said. “We’re a really strong group defensively.”
Goalkeeper Joey Batrouni, in his third start, earned his second clean sheet in a row, anchoring the back five and holding New Mexico United scoreless with clutch saves.
“Tonight was a great performance by Joey,” SAFC Head Coach Carlos Llamosa said. “He’s still in the learning process to become one of the best goalies in this league.”
Tied for first in the west and second overall in the USL Championship, SAFC will return to Toyota Field Sunday, March 29, at 3:00 p.m., to host. Lexington SC.