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Scorpions Ready to Take on Charlotte Eagles in U.S. Open Cup

June 4, 2012 - North American Soccer League (NASL) San Antonio Scorpions

SAN ANTONIO, TX (June 4, 2012) - After stunning the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer last week, the San Antonio Scorpions will face off with the Charlotte Eagles of USL-PRO (Division III) in the "Sweet 16" round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, June 5 at Heroes Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

It will be the first time the Scorpions take on the Eagles or any team from USL-PRO.

A win against the Eagles would send the Scorpions to the quarterfinal round of the tournament, which would be played at Heroes Stadium against the winner of the fourth round match between Chivas USA of MLS or the Carolina Railhawks of the North American Soccer League.

The potential match would be played on Tuesday, June 26 at 7:30 p.m.

This year's edition of the U.S. Open Cup, the oldest soccer competition in the United States, is the first for the Scorpions and so far the team has not allowed a goal in the tournament.

Tickets are still available for the match and can be purchased at https://www.sanantonioscorpionstickets.com/USOpenCupRd4.

SCOUTING CHARLOTTE

The Charlotte Eagles have struggled so far this season in USL-PRO, currently sitting in eighth place in the league with eight points. So far this season, the Eagles have just two wins in 11 regular season matches.

That didn't stop the Eagles from delivering one of the biggest upsets of the U.S. Open Cup's third round, defeating FC Dallas on the road in a 2-0 shutout on Tuesday, May 29. Daryl Roberts and Nate Thornton were the goal scorers for Charlotte, who will play their second straight U.S. Open Cup game in Texas on Tuesday.

Roberts also leads the offensive attack for the Eagles, leading the team in goals (3) and is also in the top 10 of the USL-PRO in the goals. He also leads Charlotte in points with eight this season.

As a whole, however, the Eagles have struggled to get on the scoreboard offensively. With only nine goals scored, the team averages less than a goal for match and Roberts's three goals represents one third of the team's offensive production.

But as much as the Eagles have struggled in the scoring department, their defense has also been problematic. In their 11 games this season, the Eagles have allowed 16 goals, tied for the most allowed this season in USL-PRO.

LAST TIME OUT

In a battle between two of the top three teams in the NASL standings, the San Antonio Scorpions and Minnesota Stars battled to a scoreless draw at Heroes Stadium on Saturday, June 2.

The tie gave both teams a point, and the Scorpions now sit one point behind the first-place Stars and Puerto Rico Islanders.

The Scorpions had some quality chances towards the end of the match to break the stalemate and take over first place in the NASL, but some key saves by Minnesota keeper Matthew Van Oekel kept San Antonio off the scoreboard.

In the 83rd minute, Scorpions forward Pablo Campos received a perfectly placed ball from Aaron Pitchkolan in front of the Stars keeper, but Van Oekel was able to make save on a direct shot from Campos.

The Scorpions made a furious effort to find the game-winner in the final minutes of play and received several quality chances, including a free kick on goal from Pablo Campos in stoppage time that Van Oekel was able to knock away with a diving save.

BUILDING MOMENTUM

The Scorpions are one of the hottest teams in the NASL, riding a seven-game unbeaten streak in league play (nine games unbeaten including U.S. Open Cup matches) and have not lost a game since their April 15 home loss to the Puerto Rico Islanders.

San Antonio has steadily risen in the NASL standings and after Saturday's scoreless draw the Scorpions are now just one point behind the Minnesota Stars FC and the Puerto Rico Islanders, who are tied for the league lead with 17 points.

STRONG BACKLINE

The Scorpions have been one of the stronger defensive teams in the league this season, allowing just over one goal per contest and posting five shutouts this season.

San Antonio is third in the NASL in goals allowed this season (9).

SATTLER STILL UNBEATEN

Daryl Sattler earned his fourth shutout in NASL competition on Saturday against Minnesota and is now 4-2-0 this season as a starter in league play.

The Scorpions keeper has only allowed three goals during that span, and also has two additional shutouts in U.S. Open Cup play with wins over the Laredo Heat of the PDL and the Dynamo.

His 0.50 goals against average is among the best of all NASL goalkeepers.

ABOUT THE U.S. OPEN CUP

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the oldest cup competition in United States and is among the oldest in the world, beginning action in 1914. The tournament is open to all affiliated amateur and professional teams in the country, and U.S.-based NASL teams will be competing for the first time ever in 2012.

This year's edition of the U.S. Open Cup, which features teams from professional and amateur level soccer in the United States, features a modern era record 64 teams that includes all U.S.-based MLS, NASL and USL PRO teams for the first time ever.

The first four rounds of the tournament will take place in back-to-back weeks from May 15 all the way through June 5. The quarterfinals will be held on June 26 and the semifinals are set for July 10.

The tournament final will be played on Aug. 7 or 8 and the winner of the tournament earns a CONCACAF Champions League berth.

The Seattle Sounders of MLS have won the tournament each of the past three years and defeated the Chicago Fire in the U.S. Open Cup Final in 2011 by a score of 2-0.

COMING UP

The Scorpions will return to NASL play this weekend when they face off with the Atlanta Silverbacks at Heroes Stadium on Saturday, June 9. The only other time the Scorpions and Silverbacks met was in the season opener in Atlanta which ended in a scoreless draw.

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