San Antonio FC opened their 2026 USL Championship campaign with a 2–1 victory over Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday night, with Jorge Hernández and Alex Crognale finding the net either side of halftime. John Scearce pulled one back for the visitors, but it wasn't enough.

San Antonio wasted no time getting on the board. Hernández struck in just the sixth minute, finishing off a chance created by Cristian Parano to give the hosts an early lead. Phoenix Rising's Jean Eric Moursou picked up a yellow card three minutes later as the away side struggled to settle into the match.

The first half remained 1–0 despite a tetchy affair that saw Crognale booked in the 34th minute. That caution did little to deter the San Antonio defender. Four minutes into the second half, Crognale doubled the lead, again from a Parano delivery. The Argentine playmaker's influence was clear — two assists inside 49 minutes, both leading directly to goals.

Phoenix Rising responded quickly. Scearce cut the deficit to one in the 54th minute, injecting life into what had looked like a comfortable San Antonio evening. The final half-hour grew increasingly fractious. Akeem Ward and Hernández were cautioned for San Antonio, while Phoenix's Luke Biasi and Charlie Dennis also went into the book. Neither side could find another goal, though, and San Antonio held firm through four minutes of stoppage time.

The result gives San Antonio FC a winning start to the new season and an early three points in what promises to be a competitive Western Conference race.