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Scorpions Battle Back to Earn Dramatic 3-3 Draw

September 27, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
San Antonio Scorpions News Release


SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The San Antonio Scorpions gained a precious point in the race for the playoffs in their second straight 3-3 result versus the Atlanta Silverbacks. The match at Toyota Field was played before 7,759 fans, which is the largest home crowd of the season for the Scorpions.

Time was running out on the Scorpions as they trailed the Atlanta Silverbacks by two goals late in the match. But the red and black attack never quit and they struck twice in the final ten minutes to earn a come-from-behind point.

First in the 80', Marvin Chávez took a feed from César Elizondo and maneuvered through the Silverbacks' defense to get an open look on Atlanta 'keeper Steward Ceus' goal. Chávez finished with a powerful shot to the open side of the frame and after a short conversation between the referee and linesman confirmed the goal, the Scorpions were down just 2-3.

In the 90', the Scorpions were scrambling for the equalizer and found it on a play that started with an Eric Hassli cross from the left wing. Hassli's ball found first-half goal scorer Nana Attakora at the far post and the Canadian international thumped a header at net that was cleared off the line at the last second by Atlanta. The rebound fortunately fell directly in front of Elizondo, who dived forward to finish the play and knot the game at 3 goals apiece.

Everything went Atlanta's way early in the match as the visitors were up two only 23 minutes into the game. In the 8', Atlanta midfielder Kyle Porter sent a high, looping ball from the left wing into the box. Silverbacks striker Jaime Chavez timed his run perfectly and met the ball just outside the 6-yard box. He nodded the ball down and it squirted underneath Scorpions goalie Daniel Fernandes, giving the visitors the early 1-0 lead.

Just 15 minutes later, Atlanta doubled their advantage again off of a header. Silverbacks midfielder Junior Burgos took a free kick from the right side about 30 yards from goal that found center back Rauwshan McKenzie at the back post. The big man simply redirected the ball mere feet away from the post and into the back of the net before Fernandes could make the save.

The Alamo City boys showed their fight, though, as they pressed forward looking for a score of their own. They finally found their first in 41st minute off of a set piece of their own. Josuè Soto took the corner kick from the attacking left and sent a left-footed out-swinger into the box. The ball bounced around before falling to fullback Stephen DeRoux, who was positioned in the middle of the 18-yard-area. He spied a wide-open Attakora on the left and zipped a pass the center back's way. Attakora deftly redirected the ball with a backheel and into the far corner of the goal to make the score 1-2. DeRoux was credited with the assist on a night when he became the club's all-time leader in appearances (NASL regular season + playoffs) with 69, surpassing former defender Greg Janicki.

Next week, the Scorpions are home again as they host the Fort Lauderdale Strikers at Toyota Field. Atlanta will be on the road to face the Cosmos in New York.

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North American Soccer League Stories from September 27, 2015


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