Venue Location: Toyota Field, San Antonio, Texas. This soccer-specific venue (capacity ~8,300) serves as San Antonio FC’s home ground and will host the match under lights in a classic Open Cup atmosphere with strong local support.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT (8:30 p.m. ET). The game is part of the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup First Round (professional vs. amateur/open-division single-elimination matchup) and will stream live for free on YouTube (U.S. Soccer official channel). Gates typically open 60–90 minutes prior.
Weather Updates: Mild, comfortable evening conditions are forecast for kickoff in San Antonio. Temperatures will hover around 55–62°F (13–17°C) by 7:30 p.m. CT with light winds (5–10 mph variable), humidity near 50–60%, and zero chance of precipitation. Skies should remain mostly clear to partly cloudy. No weather delays or alerts expected—ideal for soccer but fans should dress in layers for the breezy night.
Injury Report:
- San Antonio FC (USL Championship): No major injuries reported heading into the match. The squad is at or near full strength following early-season league results (including a recent 0-0 draw and 2-1 win). Coach Carlos Llamosa has depth available.
- ASC New Stars (USASA/Houston Football Association – Open Division): As an amateur side, no formal injury reports are issued. The roster appears healthy with their core qualifying group (including penalty-shootout heroes) intact.
Key
Player Matchups (Key Battles):
San Antonio FC’s professional depth, experience, and attacking quality should dominate most individual duels against ASC New Stars’ amateur talent, though set pieces and counters could offer brief threats.
- GK (San Antonio) vs. ASC New Stars forwards/qualifying scorers (Iván Luquetta – multiple goals in qualifying, Jay Lee): San Antonio’s pro-level keeper and backline should neutralize amateur finishing comfortably.
- Defensive core (San Antonio) vs. ASC New Stars midfield/attack (Delano Foster, Felix Allisson, Jovany Macias, Lukas Simon, Allison Dessaline Felix): Built for USL Championship physicality and transitions.
- Midfield creators (including recent signing Mikey Maldonado) vs. ASC New Stars defensive unit: Maldonado and others bring vision and energy to control the center.
- Forwards (San Antonio attacking unit) vs. ASC New Stars backline: Pace and finishing will test an unproven amateur defense; expect set-piece and transition dominance.
Expected San Antonio lineup (typical 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 pro setup): Pro depth anchored by Maldonado and recent form standouts. ASC New Stars (manager Tom Khalili) relies on Luquetta, Frias (GK hero in qualifying PKs), and local/Houston talent for upset magic.
Recent Team Forms:
- San Antonio FC: Excellent—unbeaten in early league play (including 2-1 win vs. Phoenix Rising FC and 0-0 draw vs. FC Tulsa). Attacking sharpness and defensive solidity evident; three straight matches unbeaten across competitions.
- ASC New Stars: Solid—dominant qualifying victories (3-0, 5-0, and 0-0 PKs 4-3 win) plus strong amateur league form. Offensively capable in lower tiers but facing a massive step-up.
Series History:
This is the first-ever meeting between San Antonio FC and ASC New Stars. In broader Open Cup context, San Antonio FC is 5-0-0 all-time against amateur/open-division sides (last win: 3-1 in 2022). USL Championship pros hosting Open Division teams advance at ~85–90% historically in similar mismatches. ASC New Stars are 0-3-0 in prior proper tournament appearances (all First Round exits).
Betting Trends:
Div. II pros hosting Open Division amateurs in First Round favor the home side at 85–90% (often by 2+ goals). San Antonio’s 5-0-0 amateur record, early 2026 form, and home dominance reinforce the pattern. Goal totals trend over when pros push forward; unders possible if they control early. ASC New Stars’ qualifying scoring contrasts with the quality gap—trends point to comfortable home wins or clean sheets in comparable games.
MATCH ODDS
ASC New Stars + 3500
San Antonio FC – 2500
Draw + 1200
Over 2.5 – 150 Under 2.5 + 110
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, March 17, 2026
