December 5, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – San Antonio FC News Release
SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio FC has exercised options on Ignacio Bailone, Fabien Garcia, Shannon Gomez and Carter Manley, the team announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
“Retaining a core group of players from our historic 2022 Championship-winning season is essential,” said head coach Alen Marcina. “Each listed player demonstrated an all-in commitment to the Team Identity and will serve as the standard setters for the new player acquisitions.”
Bailone finished the season tied for the third-most goals on the team, scoring six times after joining the team in May. Bailone’s goal against San Diego on Sept. 10 was the difference, with SAFC winning 1-0 in the second match of an eight-match unbeaten run to end the regular season.
Garcia, Gomez and Manley all contributed to San Antonio’s dominant defensive season on the back line. Garcia led the team in clearances with 129, earning USL Championship Team of the Week honors five times. Garcia’s one goal on the season was the difference in a 1-0 win against Detroit City.
Gomez earned five assists on the season, tied for the fourth most on the team, while finishing second in tackles with 70. Offensively, Gomez scored his first two career goals in the USL Championship, one of which was in stoppage time against LA to equalize.
Manley appeared at both centerback and wingback during the season, finishing third on the team in tackles (54), fourth in blocks (16) and sixth in clearances (46). The highlight of Manley’s season came outside of league play, when the defender scored in extra time to beat Austin FC of MLS in a sold-out US Open Cup match.
With the moves, the 2023 SAFC roster currently stands as follows:
Goalkeepers (0) – n/a
Defenders (5) – Fabien Garcia, Shannon Gomez, Connor Maloney, Carter Manley, Mitchell Taintor
Midfielders (3) – Mohammed Abu, Victor “PC” Giro, David Loera
Forwards (2) – Ignacio Bailone, Justin Dhillon
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