San Antonio Scorpions beat Atlanta Silverbacks 2-1 in Atlanta

April 19, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
San Antonio Scorpions News Release


Atlanta, GA - The San Antonio Scorpions won their first match of the 2014 NASL Spring Season 2-1 over the Atlanta Silverbacks at Silverbacks Park in Atlanta. San Antonio put together a comprehensive offensive showing to earn their first points of the season and the Scorpions also remain undefeated in their history in road openers (1-0-2).

Shaun Saiko, who came on as a substitute for Sam Garza to start the second half, scored the eventual game winner seconds after stepping onto the pitch when he buried his short range attempt into the roof of the net off of a flick from forward Eric Hassli, who himself was an early substitute for the injured Tomasz Zahorski.

The Silverbacks made it clear early on that they weren't going to let former NASL First XI selection Walter Restrepo beat them. Atlanta repeatedly fouled the left winger, who coach Alen Marcina calls one of the best 1-on-1 attackers in the league, in an attempt to get the ball off of his very creative feet. The strategy indeed worked to slow down the Scorpions' attack as they had difficulty creating chances up their normally preferred left side, but it ultimately backfired on the Silverbacks.

Referee Fotis Bazakos began calling fouls midway through the opening frame, which created numerous set piece opportunities for the Scorpions. San Antonio finally capitalized in the '34 after Restrepo was again fouled about 35 yards away from goal. Danny Barrera stepped up to take the free kick from the team's attacking left and he hit a high, out-swinging curler with his left foot that Silverbacks goalie Eric Ati rushed hard off of his line to catch. But he misjudged the ball and it found defender Greg Janicki, who easily headed the ball into the open net to give San Antonio their first lead of the season.

After Saiko's early second half goal stretched the lead to 2-0, the tables were turned as the Silverbacks created more offense in the penultimate frame and had numerous set-piece opportunities that were the result of Scorpions' fouls. Atlanta cashed in in the '82 when Junior Sandoval headed home Junior Burgos' free kick to cut the lead to 2-1.

The Silverbacks continued to put pressure on Scorpions keeper David Bingham's net throughout the half, but the San Jose Earthquakes loanee was time and again up to the task as he maintained the Scorpions lead with numerous timely saves and ultimately earned the win in the match.

Next week the Scorpions travel to New York to play the Cosmos while the Silverbacks look to get their first points of the season at home against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

The Scorpions' next home match at Toyota Field is May 3rd against the Tampa Bay Rowdies at 7:30pm. Season tickets start at only $10 per game and can be purchased at Toyota Field Box Office or through Ticketmaster. Call 210.495.8686 for more information on season tickets or log onto SAScorpions.com.



North American Soccer League Stories from April 19, 2014


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