UD Las Palmas Faces SAFC in Friendly Match

Photo by Cesar Sanchez

On a buzzing night at Toyota Field, San Antonio FC put on a spirited performance against La Liga side UD Las Palmas in a high-profile international friendly. The atmosphere was electric from the opening whistle, with a packed crowd eager to witness SAFC go toe-to-toe with one of Spain’s top-flight clubs. Fans were on their feet, cheering every pass, challenge, and chance as the home side embraced the opportunity to test themselves on a global stage.

SAFC rolled out a mixed lineup featuring first-team standouts like Daniel Namani, Alexis Souahy, Lucio Berron, Juan Osorio, Nicky Hernandez, and Dmitrii Erofeev, complemented by rising talents from the Ricos SAFC Pro Academy. The young group held their own impressively, creating dangerous chances in the final third while keeping Las Palmas scoreless in the first 45 minutes.

Photo by Cesar Sanchez

The breakthrough for the visitors came shortly after halftime, with Las Palmas capitalizing in the 53rd minute to score the game’s only goal. But SAFC didn’t back down. The moment of the match came in the 64th minute when academy goalkeeper Joey Batrouni, freshly subbed on, made a highlight-reel diving save to stop a penalty kick and keep the score close. The crowd erupted in appreciation for the young keeper’s heroics.

While the final result was a 1-0 defeat, the evening felt like a win in the eyes of many. Supporters left proud of their team’s fearless performance against elite competition. It was more than just a match—it was a celebration of the sport, a showcase of local talent, and a reminder of the passion San Antonio has for the beautiful game. Nights like these show why Toyota Field is one of the most electric venues in American soccer.