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GAMEDAY REPORT: Parano Leads Way as SAFC Sweeps Past Energy FC

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 08/08/20, 10:21PM EDT

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Young playmaker records goal, assist as San Antonio remains undefeated to start season

OKLAHOMA CITY – Cristian Parano had a goal and assist to help San Antonio FC continue its undefeated start to the season in a 3-0 victory against OKC Energy FC on Saturday night at Taft Stadium.

Looking maintain an undefeated start to the season, SAFC produced the first look at goal in the 14th minute as a low corner kick from the left by Zach Herivaux was flicked on at the near post by Callum Montgomery but looped up and over the crossbar.

Energy FC also produced a chance off a corner kick in the 18th minute when Nico Taravel’s volleyed chance off a corner kick from the left went wide of the right post. The visitors struck first, however, as Connor Maloney’s cross from the right wasn’t cleared completely by an Energy FC defender and Parano was in the right place to send back a first-time finish that caromed off the right post and in just past the half-hour mark.

Energy FC handed SAFC a big chance to double its lead only two minutes later as the ball came to Gonzalo Di Renzo just outside the penalty area, but OKC goalkeeper CJ Cochran produced a fine low save to turn the Argentine’s low effort to the right corner around the post for a corner. Energy FC then almost produced an equalizer late in first-half stoppage time, but San Antonio goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair made a sharp save after Frank Lopez’s shot for the hosts was deflected on its way to goal.

Neither side was able to find many chances early in the second half, but in the 70th minute San Antonio added to its lead as Parano arrowed a free kick from the right flank toward goal and it was met by the head of Montgomery, who redirected the ball past Cochran and into the net. Parano then produced an even more audacious delivery from a free kick on a tighter angle from the right which forced Cochran to tip the ball over the crossbar for a corner.

The visitors continued to look to attack, though, and added their third with 13 minutes to go as Ignacio Bailone produced a curled effort from 20 yards that picked out the left corner of the net. Bailone almost notched a second seven minutes later only to send his shot wide of the right post, and Luis Solignac sent a curling finish just over the crossbar as well for the visitors.

But when OKC’s Jonathan Brown had one final chance to find a consolation goal deep in stoppage time, St. Clair was again on hand to make a good save and preserve the shutout for the visitors.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Cristian Parano, San Antonio FC – Parano notched another goal and an assist while putting two of six shots overall on target and completing 12 of 12 passes overall in another impressive display.

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