San Antonio FC has re-signed goalkeeper and San Antonio native Matthew Cardone for the 2020 USL Championship season pending league and federation approval, the team announced today. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"We are delighted to re-sign our locally grown goalkeeper Matt Cardone,” said SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina. “Matt has demonstrated that he can compete among the league’s top goalkeepers, and he is an excellent fit for our team culture. We expect Matt to have essential leadership responsibilities and set an admirable example for our goalkeepers coming through our Elite Training Program and SAFC Pro Academy."

With SAFC in 2019, Cardone appeared in 33 matches, compiling 2,923 minutes played and seven clean sheets. He recorded 94 saves on the season to set a new SAFC record while also ranking seventh in the USL Championship. Cardone recorded a season-high six saves three times in 2019 while recording at least four saves in a match on 11 different occasions. Cardone saved 63.1% of the 149 shots he faced while also adding 29 catches, 29 clearances and 14 punches.

Overall in his San Antonio FC career, Cardone has appeared in 68 matches in all competitions, making 67 starts and tallying 6,000 minutes. The 26-year-old became the first-ever SAFC player to earn USL Player of the Week honors after his performance at Saint Louis FC in August of 2016 and remains the club’s all-time penalty save leader with five. Cardone also holds the joint-record for saves in a single match with SAFC after he recorded nine at Swope Park Rangers on July 30, 2016.

“I’m really excited to return to SAFC for another year,” said Cardone. “I have been privileged to be a part of this club for the last few years, and I’m excited to continue that.”

With his re-signing, Cardone is currently the only player on the SAFC roster since the club’s inception in 2016. Prior to joining SAFC, Cardone spent 2015 playing for the San Antonio Scorpions in the North American Soccer League. The Alamo City native played four years of collegiate soccer at Trinity University from 2011-2014, where he earned All-American honors in 2012 and 2014, and also attended MacArthur High School.

San Antonio FC is currently preparing for the upcoming USL Championship season, and fans can purchase 2020 season tickets by calling or texting the SAFC sales office at 210-444-5657 or by visiting SanAntonioFC.com. Supporters can also follow the club by liking San Antonio FC on Facebook (@SAFCUSL), as well as following the team on Twitter (@SanAntonioFC) and Instagram (@sanantoniofc).