First-Place Scorpions Prepared for Road Test at Tampa Bay

Published on June 22, 2012 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
San Antonio Scorpions News Release


SAN ANTONIO, TX (June 22, 2012) - Coming off a historic road victory over the Puerto Rico Islanders to put the Scorpions at the top of the NASL table, the newly minted first-place Scorpions will play the second match of their two-game road trip this weekend against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m. CDT.

Saturday's duel will be the third meeting between the two clubs this season and a Scorpions victory would give them a season series win against an opponent for the first time in franchise history.

The Scorpions won the first match between the two teams on May 5 at Heroes Stadium with a 2-0 shutout and then won the second meeting a week later in Tampa Bay with a last-minute goal by Pablo Campos to give the Scorpions a 2-1 win on May 12.

SCOUTING TAMPA BAY

Since their loss to the Scorpions on May 12, the Rowdies have come alive, earning at least a point in four of their last six matches. Their 15 points overall has them in fifth place in the NASL, one point behind their in-state rival Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

The Rowdies offense is led by leading scorer Daniel Antoniuk, whose four goals this season have him ranked seventh in the NASL in goals scored. As a team, the Rowdies have not been one of the team's scoring powerhouses, averaging just over one goal per contest with 13 total goals in 12 games.

Rowdies goalkeeper Jeff Attinella has saved 49 of 65 shots faced this season and has a goals-against average of 1.33. The team's -3 goal differential, however, is the second-worst in the league.

The two teams will meet one more time this season in San Antonio on August 19 at Heroes Stadium.

LAST TIME OUT

The San Antonio Scorpions leaped into first place in the league standings with a 2-0 road victory against the Puerto Rico Islanders on June 16.

Goals from Scorpion forwards Esteban Bayona and Pablo Campos lifted the Scorpions to a key midseason victory over the Islanders, who sat at the top of the NASL table for nearly the entire season.

The win extends the Scorpions unbeaten streak in NASL competition to nine consecutive games despite being a man down for most of the second half.

The Scorpions struck first in the 39th minute when Islanders goalkeeper Richard Martin could not hold on to a shot from forward Walter Ramirez, which allowed Bayona to race in and knock in the rebound for his first goal of the season.

In the 70th minute, despite being a man down for most of the second half due to red card given to Ramirez in the 43nd minute, forward Pablo Campos provided the Scorpions with an insurance goal. The Brazilian forward made a nifty move inside the box to get past a Puerto Rico defender and then blasted a shot past Martin to give San Antonio a 2-0 lead.

SATTLER CONNECTION

Scorpions goalkeeper Darryl Sattler, who has not allowed a goal in three consecutive matches, will look to extend his shutout streak to four games against the Rowdies this weekend.

So far this season, Sattler has only given up three goals on 22 shots in eight starts in league play and has a league-best 0.37 goals against average.

The Rowdies will be a familiar foe for Sattler, who played with Tampa Bay from 2010-2011 before signing with San Antonio prior to the 2012 season.

STING AWAY

A big part of San Antonio's early success has been a result of solid play away from home this season.

The Scorpions have not lost in five road matches so far this season (3-2-0) and have posted shutouts three times in those matches. They are the only team in the NASL to not lose a game on the road this season.

PABLO POWER

The recent play of forward Pablo Campos, whose six goals on the season have him tied for the most goals scored in the NASL, has helped the Scorpions move into first place in the standings.

Pablo Campos has come alive as of late, scoring three goals in the past two matches and scored his sixth of the season against the Puerto Rico Islanders last week to put the Scorpions ahead 2-0 in the 70th minute.

NUNES RELEASED

The Scorpions and forward Amaury Nunes have agreed to mutually part ways. Nunes will now play with TOT S.C. in the Thai Premier League.

SCORPIONS INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE

On June 30, the team will host the Scorpions International Challenge, a double header that features their NASL match against the Atlanta Silverbacks and an exhibition match between two prominent club teams from Mexico's first division: Reigning CONCACAF Champions League winner C.F. Monterrey Rayados and San Luis F.C.

The Scorpions International Challenge is slated to begin at 7:30 p.m. at Heroes Stadium on Saturday, June 30.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



North American Soccer League Stories from June 22, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central