San Antonio FC beat Phoenix Rising FC 1-0 at Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex on Saturday night. A late goal from midfielder Rafa Castillo earned the Silver and Black three important points in front of 5,000 plus opposing fans on the road.

“I’m very proud of our players for their application, desire, determination and character,” SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell said. “This was a very difficult environment to play in and against a good team. It came down to the wire but we’re glad we came away with the three points.”

Castillo scored the lone goal of the match in the 85th minute after midfielder Cesar Elizondo was taken down in the hosts’ box by goalkeeper Josh Cohen. Castillo stepped up and converted from the spot to record his fourth goal of the season. With the goal, the Colombia native extended his all-time scoring record for the club to nine goals.

SAFC goalkeeper Diego Restrepo recorded four saves on the night, claiming two crosses and recording a clearance punch along the way. The clean sheet marked Restrepo’s eighth of the season and the 11th overall for the club.

“Getting the shutout is good for us,” Restrepo said. “It was big for us to build that confidence again and to go into next weekend with a clean sheet.”

The win marks the first in over a month for the Alamo City club, which had recorded three consecutive draws prior to Saturday’s match. SAFC is also the only team in the USL with just one loss recorded on the season so far.

San Antonio FC will return to action on Saturday, August 5 as they host Orange County SC at Toyota Field in the first matchup between the two clubs this season.

Scoring Summary:

SAFC: 1-0, Rafa Castillo (penalty) 85’

Disciplinary Summary:

SAFC: Yellow Card (Mark O’Ojong 27’)

SAFC: Yellow Card (Rafa Castillo 37’)

Rising FC: Yellow Card (Jason Johnson 49’)

Rising FC: Yellow Card (Peter Ramage ’50)

SAFC: Yellow Card (Kris Tyrpak 75’)

Rising FC: Yellow Card (Shaun Wright-Phillips 75’)

Rising FC: Yellow Card (Alessandro Riggi ’75)

SAFC: Yellow Card (Cesar Elizondo 80’)

SAFC: Yellow Card (Stephen McCarthy 90’)

Rising FC: Yellow Card (Didier Drogba 90’)

Attendance: 5,463

SAFC Starting XI: GK: Diego Restrepo; D: Ben Newnam, Sebasiten Ibeagha, Stephen McCarthy, Greg Cochrane; M: Michael Reed (c), Mark O’Ojong (Cesar Elizondo 62’), Rafa Castillo, Kris Tyrpak (Pecka 78’), Billy Forbes; F: AJ Ajeakwa (Shawn Chin 90’)

Substitutions Not Used: Lee Johnston, Ryan Roushandel, Aly Alberto Hassan, Maxi Rodriguez

Postgame Notes: