San Diego Loyal SC scored goals in each half to earn another point at home in their third straight draw, this time 2-2 against visiting San Antonio FC. 

Alejandro Guido and Adrien Perez scored for the Loyal while Samuel Adeniran and Carter Manely found the net for San Antonio in the clash between two of the top teams in the Western Conference. 

One of the Loyal’s tie games came against San Antonio (6-2-7, 25 points), a match that ended knotted up 3-3 in Texas. At home Wednesday, unlike the last contest, SD Loyal (6-4-5, 23 points) struck first.

Ten minutes in, Guido opened the scoring with a left-footed shot from inside the penalty box to give the home side a 1-0 lead. The Chula Vista native took a ball from Nick Moon and fired it to beat San Antonio goalkeeper Jordan Farr as he dove to his left. It was Guido’s first goal of 2023 and Moon’s second assist this season. 

SD Loyal maintained its attacking style and kept constant pressure on the defending league champions, but San Antonio caught a break 13 seconds into the second half.

The Loyal was whistled for a handball in the box as defender Grant Stoneman slid and his outstretched arm made contact with the bouncing ball. Striker Adeniran converted the penalty kick to tie the match 1-1 to start the second period. 

SD Loyal tried to answer the San Antonio goal in the 57th minute when Guido nearly gave his team the lead. The midfielder sent a right-footed blast off the crossbar as he ran away from his mark near the top of the penalty box. 

San Antonio’s persistence paid off midway through the second half. Manley beat his mark at the mouth of the goal and jumped to head the cross from Zico Bailey to leave Koke Vegas without a chance, giving the visitors a 2-1 advantage in the 67th minute. 

But the lead didn’t last long. Second-half substitute Adrien Perez tied the match 2-2 with a quick flick past Farr and into the back of the net in the 73rd minute. Fellow sub Tumi Moshobane sent in a left-footed cross to set up the score. Guido helped create the play with a run from the back and a pass to Moshobane up the left flank.

It was Perez’s third goal of the season and Moshobane’s second assist. 

Guido, who led all players with four shots, spoke after the match about getting his post-injury timing back.

“It’s takes time to get back to your form and rhythm especially after an injury … so luckily I think I feel I’m back, and I can continue progressing and giving this level of performance,” he said.

SD Loyal now heads on the road for four matches over the next month, starting June 24 at Pittsburgh against the Eastern Conference-leading Riverhounds SC (7-2-5, 26 points), winners of five straight.

Note: Photo credit, Adrien Perez of San Diego Loyal SC, via sdloyal.com