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First Place Scorpions Beat Tampa Bay 2-0 to Extend Record Road Win Streak to Six

July 26, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
San Antonio Scorpions News Release


The San Antonio Scorpions maintained their hold on first place in the NASL's Fall Season with yet another 2-0 victory, this time over the Tampa Bay Rowdies at AL Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg. The win extended the Scorpions' franchise-record road winning streak to six games, tied their longest unbeaten streak at nine and tied their record for consecutive shutouts at three.

The Rowdies controlled the action early in the first half and made Scorpions goalkeeper Josh Saunders work in his first start for San Antonio since being loaned by MLS side New York City FC. But after the initial flurry in the game's first twelve minutes, the half - and game - belonged to the visitors.

In the 29' minute, Rafael Castillo had a huge shot from outside the box that Rowdies 'keeper Matt Pickens got to on a full stretch, but he deflected the ball wide to hand San Antonio a corner kick on their attacking right. Castillo then took the corner and hit a long outswinger that found Julius James on the far side of the six-yard box. James headed the ball downward into the middle of the area and right into the path of Tomasz Zahorski, who stretched to toe poke the ball home before the in-form Pickens could react from just a few feet away. The goal was the Polish striker's team-leading fourth of the season*.

Pickens had made multiple top-class, acrobatic saves to deny the Scorpions a goal going into the half hour mark of the game. Rafael Castillo, Julius James and Billy Forbes were each denied clear chances by Pickens before the red-and-black finally found their breakthrough. The Scorpions then came tantalizingly close to doubling (or more) their lead later in the half as James and Billy Forbes both had shots that beat Pickens, but hit the post.

There were nervy moments for the Scorpions early in the second half as the Rowdies went back on the front foot, but the San Antonio defense held strong to keep Tampa Bay from finding the equalizer. Sainey Touray erased any doubt late in stoppage time when Eric Hassli fed him a through ball that found the Gambian completely behind the Rowdies' defense, and he easily slotted past Pickens for the final 2-0 score.

San Antonio is on the road again next week, but this time their compass heading will be north towards Canada to face Edmonton FC. The Rowdies travel as well, but closer to their home for the Florida derby against Ft. Lauderdale.

*After the match, game officials notified the league that the goal was officially being credited as an own goal against Tampa Bay's Lucky Mkosana.

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