FC Austin Elite and San Antonio Athenians SC are no stranger to each other. They first began playing against each other when the Athenians entered the amateur scene in Central Texas in 2017. With Austin and San Antonio being only an hour away from each other they are close competition in more ways than one. The wins and losses have gone back and forth depending on the season. This year the rivalry has increased as the stakes have increased. In the standings Elite sat at #1 and Athenians #2 as they went into the game Friday, July 1. Their first match this season was 1-1 draw.

In the UWS only the top team in the conference moves into post-season play. The Athenians seek to hold onto the 2021 UWS Southwest Regional Title. Two established teams who have built programs with experienced returnees ready to face the physicality of the semi-pro game faced off. The game was fun to watch as both teams fought hard and never gave up. It is unfortunate that only one of these two teams get to advance.

Both teams were missing key starters. Jade Piper came on in the first half for the Athenians immediately putting pressure on the defense forcing turnovers. Piper has to be one of the hardest working players on the field, chasing down long balls, maintaining possession, taking on defenders. Her work needed support and runners off the ball.

In 5 minutes of the second half the Athenians had three corner kicks. Mary Cardone made a great save to keep Elite in the game. This early spell set the tone for the rest of the half, Athenians maintained most of the possession with Elite attacking with a quick transition. The Athenians may have dominated, but lacked the quality to finish. Their attack needed to be built to completion, usually ending with an attacker getting stripped or poor passing. Brooke Martinez was a bright spot in midfield, but needed to be on the ball more. The Athenians defense was solid, Muparo Chimbima having a header on goal and Sarah Bayhi an excellent defensive tackle on a breakaway.

Goalkeepers for both teams are strong and experienced, it would take something special to beat them. Mary Cardone, playing in goal for Elite, is an athletic presence as she was making saves. Mary played with the San Antonio Blossoms (WPSL) early in her career and I am happy to see her with Elite. Athenians had a number of chances off crosses and set pieces, Cardone made some leaping saves. With Athenians having most of the possession and most of the shots Cardone has to be my player of the match. She anchored the defense and kept the Athenians scoreless, no easy feat. The Athenians have scored in every game this UWS season.

UWS is a great example of what we see in the English Premier League and their promotion/relegation system, EVERY game matters. One game in a season can be the difference between first and third or in the post-season or not. Athenians lost in their first game to Luxoria, chasing it ever since. Adding two ties to Elite makes it a bigger hill to climb.

Both teams will be disappointed in the result, 0-0 draw. Both teams had shots on goal they will wish they had converted. Both teams had one pass or one touch that they will wish they had cleaned up. A win for Elite would have seen them firmly in first adding more distance between the teams. For Athenians, a win would have seen them leap to first. Now, the only thing Athenians can do is pray to the soccer gods for a little help and finish the season on a winning streak.

by Danielle Gawronski