With the score tied and less than ten minutes left in a tough away match at Cardinale Stadium, most teams would be happy to sit back and accept a draw. Monterey Bay FC finished last season with a plus-seven goal difference at home and were a top-six team in the West by of home form. Furthermore, MBFC excels in transition and struggles to break teams down in low block. If there was ever a time to park the bus for a point, this was it.
That's never Alen Marcina's modus operandi for San Antonio FC. His "mentality monsters" have held 36% of possession in an average match this season, but that's not for a lack of impetus. With nearly 17 fouls per game, San Antonio is the second-most-aggressive team in the USL in 2023. No team in the league goes long on a higher share of their passes, either: SAFC harries you to win the ball and breaks apace regardless of scenario.
Even so, extenuating circumstances this season that would've excused a meeker strategy. Injuries to Justin Dhillon, PC, Juan Azocar, Carter Manley, and more have ravaged this team, and San Antonio had only two senior outfield players(!) on the bench against Monterey.
Fast forward to the 84th minute, and the match was locked up at one. The hosts had only attempted three shots for the entire match but took the air out of affairs with their 63rd minute equalizer through Sam Gleadle, a former San Antonio player.
Gleadle was ostensibly a wing back in this match, anchoring the left side of a 5-2-3 shape. Still, as shown, he played very high up the flank compared to his right-sided counterpart. That gave Monterey an extra boost in attack, but it could also lead to vulnerabilities.
You see that here. San Antonio has just regained possession, but Gleadle stays high amongst the front three in the counterpress, hoping to force a turnover. Meanwhile, Connor Maloney, the SAFC right wing back that had been battling MBFC's #23 all night, tucks into the middle to steel his team and clear the ball.
The quick outlet pass from Maloney pairs with Gleadle's high positioning to create the scenario you see here. Monterey has all three center backs in position, but they're under duress. SAFC's forwards crash in and force a meek clearance to the wing, directly towards a lone Zico Bailey.
Bailey appeared in 17 games for FC Cincinnati's MLS NEXT Pro affiliate last season alongside a smattering of MLS matches. A right-sided or central midfielder, the 22-year-old has shown hard-nosed gumption and skillful distribution while learning on the fly at Toyota Park after arriving on loan in the preseason.
Monterey rotates wide to meet Bailey, and three players hedge hard towards his threat; it's an overcommitment. In terms of make-up, you're seeing a central defender and a central midfielder approach from goalside, while Gleadle crashes in from behind. How to escape the trap if you're SAFC?
The answer comes via Maloney. #31, who started this sequencd in the middle, supports Bailey from behind and adopts a proper right wing back spot. MBFC's trio of pressers turn their heads towards Maloney, and Bailey makes a brilliant run between the crowd into the box. Moments later, he whips in a stunning winner to get San Antonio the full three points.
In many ways, it's a consummate SAFC goal. You start with an aggressive intervention in the defensive half, advance with an extremely direct pass up the pitch, and take advantage of confused transition defending with a perfect set of runs.
What's more, the star of the play is a well-scouted new signing that comes up with a moment of brilliance after putting in a good two-way shift. There's always going to be consternation about San Antonio's style, but Alen Marcina's ability to get everyone in the clubhouse to buy in is unbelievable. Even amidst injuries and media doubts, this team has no quit.