Record-setting goalkeeper Matt Cardone preserves clean sheet in final match with San Antonio FC
Charleston Battery plays San Antonio FC during a USL Championship soccer match on Saturday, July 2, 2022, at Toyota Field in San Antonio. San Antonio won 2-0. As the final whistle sounded on Matt Cardone’s career, his San Antonio FC teammates embraced him for a group hug at the center of the 6-yard box.
“It makes me feel so special,” Cardone said. “I’ll never forget this night, and all the love I’ve been shown by the guys, the fans, and everyone in this organization and the city.” Cardone called his final stint in goal “one of the easier 15-minute stretches I’ve gotten to play in my career,” as San Antonio dominated Charleston throughout Saturday’s match, holding the Battery without a shot on target.
A cheer came up from the crowd as the video board showed Cardone jogging from the warmup area toward SAFC’s bench. When the substitution went through in the 76th minute, Marcina gave Cardone a hug as the fans provided a standing ovation.