San Antonio Scorpions Crush the Carolina RailHawks

May 10, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
San Antonio Scorpions News Release


San Antonio, TX - The San Antonio Scorpions broke out of their early season scoring slump in a big way by putting three past the Carolina RailHawks in front of 5,834 fans at Toyota Field. The 3-0 victory also saw the professional debut of recently signed forward Billy Forbes, who assisted on each of the first two goals for San Antonio

After a scoreless first half that was marked by a lack of quality chances for both teams, the Scorpions dominated from the very beginning of the second half, led by the rookie Forbes. The Turks and Caicos international came on at the beginning of the second half for Freddie Braun and immediately brought creativity and speed to the left side of the Scorpions' attack. In only his eighth minute on the pitch, Forbes collected his first assist on a nice ground cross to striker Eric Hassli. Forbes used his speed to create space on the left side and then cut the ball back to an unmarked Hassli just above the spot. Hassli one-timed the ball on a half-volley and placed it perfectly past RailHawks' goalie Akira Fitzgerald to make the score 1-0 in the 53'.

The ink had barely dried on Forbes' first foray onto the scoresheet when he placed his name there a second time six minutes later. The pacey forward again created his own space and this time sent an arcing cross into the box. The ball was met perfectly by an on-rushing Danny Barrera, who headed the ball past the helpless Fitzgerald to double the Scorpions' advantage.

Carolina saw little of the ball in the second half and found the chances hard to come by. The lack of possession translated into continued opportunities in the attacking third for San Antonio, and it paid off a third time when RailHawks defender Jordan Burt was called for handling the ball in the box. Tomasz Zahorski, back in the lineup after missing most of the last three matches with a groin strain, stepped up to take the penalty and calmly converted to push the Scorpions' lead to 3-0.

The first half was contested mainly in the midfield as each team tried to impose their passing game on the other. The Scorpions enjoyed more of the possession, but both sides had a hard time creating quality chances. Carolina's best chance came in the 11', when Burt was high up the pitch and found himself in space about 25 yards away from goal. He decided to let one fly and struck the ball well, but the shot sailed high over Scorpions' keeper David Bingham's outstretched hand and the crossbar.

The Scorpions enjoyed a few long-range looks of their own, but had their best chances on two free kick opportunities just outside the RailHawks' 18-yard-box. First, Zahorski hustled to chase down a loose ball in the 29' before it went over the endline and he was subsequently fouled on the edge of the area to set up a harsh-angle free kick by Danny Barrera. Then, Stephen DeRoux earned a foul in a more promising position just outside the arc in the 41'. But in each case, San Antonio's service failed to find a teammate and the RailHawks were able to clear the danger.

Next week San Antonio plays the third game of their three-game homestand against the FC Edmonton while the RailHawks will be back home to face the Atlanta Silverbacks.

The Scorpions' next home match at Toyota Field is May 17 against FC Edmonton 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 May 10, 2014


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