Scorpions Beaten 2-0 by Tampa Bay Rowdies
September 19, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
San Antonio Scorpions News Release
ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Saturday, September 19, 2015) - The Scorpions uncharacteristically struggled to create chances as they fell 0-2 on the road to the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
The first half was dominated by Tampa Bay as they enjoyed the bulk of the possession and created numerous dangerous chances. The Scorpions looked to have fallen behind in the 4' and again in the 10' as the Rowdies ruffled the net with the ball twice, but each time the linesman's flag went up to indicate offside and the goals were negated.
Tampa Bay finally found their breakthrough early in the second half after Scorpions defender Zourab Tsiskaridze was whistled for a handball in his own box. Tampa midfielder Corey Hertzog took the ensuing penalty kick for the Rowdies and his kick went one way as Scorpions goalie Daniel Fernandes guessed the opposite direction.
San Antonio began to push the pace and looked to pressure the Rowdies for the remainder of the half. Head coach Alen Marcina made offensive-minded subs by bringing in forwards Giuseppe Gentile and Eric Hassli for defenders Tsiskaridze and Adrian Cann, respectively. The best chances for the Scorpions came after the 85th minute.
Hassli got his head onto a searching ball into the Tampa Bay box from Rafael Castillo, but his effort lacked pace and Rowdies 'keeper Matt Pickens easily caught the effort. Two minutes later, striker Omar Cummings had a good look from 22 yards away, but his shot sailed just wide of the Tampa Bay goal.
In the 88', the home team scored an insurance goal as Darnell King raced down the right sideline and sent a ball into the San Antonio 18-yard-box. The initial effort by Darwin Espinal was stopped by an impressive reaction save from Fernandes, but the rebound fell straight to Juan Guerra and he didn't miss the wide open net.
Next week the Scorpions are back in San Antonio as they start a two-game homestand when they host the Atlanta Silverbacks at Toyota Field.
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North American Soccer League Stories from September 19, 2015
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- Postseason Race Tightens After Exciting Night of Fall Season Action - NASL
- Strikers Unbeaten Streak Snapped in Defeat to Fall Leaders Fury FC - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Indy Eleven Falls to FC Edmonton 0-2 at Home - Indy Eleven
- Silverbacks Comeback to Clip RailHawks - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Eddies Steal Three Points from Eleven with Impressive 2-0 Victory - FC Edmonton
- RailHawks Lose Tight Battle in Atlanta - North Carolina FC
- Rowdies Overrun Scorpions 2-0 to Jump into Playoff Position - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Scorpions Beaten 2-0 by Tampa Bay Rowdies - San Antonio Scorpions
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