SAN ANTONIO \u2013 After a long road trip and fresh off the USL\u2019s league-wide mental health break, where each team gets a week off, San Antonio FC is back at home against Monterey Bay on July 4. <\/p>\n
SAFC sits second in the Western Conference standings (6-6-2) heading into the second half of the season. <\/p>\n
The team has been a model of resilience in recent matches, coming back to win or tie three of their last four matches after conceding the first goal in every one. <\/p>\n
Their opponent, Monterey Bay (4-2-8), struggled the first two months of the season. <\/p>\n
After a mid-season coaching change, the team has found a rhythm, and they\u2019ve won or tied five of their last six matches. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a different team than the one we played in Monterey a couple months ago,\u201d Head Coach Carlos Llamosa said. \u201cWhen they changed the coach, everything changed \u2014 different mentality, different lineup.\u201d <\/p>\n
Monterey Bay also added two players on MLS loans in the last two months: Goalkeeper Jacob Jackson and Defender Quinton Elliot. <\/p>\n
But Llamosa, and his players alike, haven\u2019t viewed that as a big factor in their preparation. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhoever they play on the field, it\u2019s more about us, how we\u2019re gonna defend, behave with the ball,\u201d Llamosa said. \u201cIt\u2019s not about an individual, it\u2019s about how they play as a team.\u201d <\/p>\n
SAFC has been tested in recent matches, and while some flaws may have been exposed, they\u2019ve gotten to see how their team can come together in adverse game situations. <\/p>\n
The club\u2019s last match against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks on June 24 saw them fall behind 1-0 once again.<\/p>\n
By the match\u2019s end, and a 2-1 SAFC victory. <\/p>\n
Llamosa said the team showed maturity, and midfielder Luke Haakenson said it spoke to the character they\u2019ve built as a team. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think we really grew closer in this away stand,\u201d Haakenson said. \u201cAnd it also helps when you\u2019re getting good results on the road. There\u2019s great comradery having to fight on the road together.\u201d <\/p>\n
Now, with four months of the regular season to go and entering the dog days of summer, SAFC knows it\u2019s time to batten down the hatches and even use the South Texas heat to their advantage. <\/p>\n
\u201cSummertime is a big window to pick up points, especially at home,\u201d Haakenson said. \u201cTeams don\u2019t like coming here, especially when it\u2019s warm.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cComing out to STAR every day in the dead of summer, it\u2019s not easy,\u201d team captain Mitchell Taintor said. \u201cChampions are built here at this club. You have to have a mentality for it.\u201d <\/p>\n
SAFC\u2019s next two matches will be at home at Toyota Field. <\/p>\n
SAFC vs. Monterey Bay on July 4 at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n
SAFC vs. Las Vegas Lights on July 18 at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n
Read also:<\/p>\n
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