Scorpions Fall 4-3 to Minnesota United in An Action Packed Match At

Published on July 25, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
San Antonio Scorpions News Release


SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The San Antonio Scorpions staged a furious comeback that fell just short in an intense, action-packed 4-3 loss to Minnesota United in front of 7,087 fans at Toyota Field.

The first half saw poor defense and good striking from both sides as a combined five goals were scored in the opening 45. United opened the scoring early with a goal from forward Christian Ramirez in the 12'. Former Scorpion Aaron Pitchkolan passed the ball off to midfielder Kalif Alhassan just outside of the 18-yard-box. Alhassan dribbled through the San Antonio defense before lofting a cross over an outstretched Daryl Sattler. The ball went right to Ramirez and he headed it past Nana Attakora into the empty net.

The Scorpions answered in the 16' as captain Adrian Cann scored his first goal of the 2015 season. Marvin Chávez took a corner kick from the Scorpions' attacking left and he found Cann, who collected the ball and volleyed it with the heel of his foot past a confused Sammy Ndjock in goal for Minnesota. The goal was the first of the season scored off a set piece for the red and black. Six minutes later, United fullback Justin Davis scored on a through-ball from Ramirez to reclaim the lead at 2-1.

The Scorpions were not done scoring in the half though. In the 33rd minute, César Elizondo dribbled into the United area and was flattened by Daniel Mendes, which gave the Scorpions a penalty kick opportunity. Castillo calmly stepped up and hit an accurate shot to the lower right corner to even the score at 2-2 as Ndjock dived the opposite way.

But once again, Minnesota would almost immediately re-take the lead. Four minutes after the Scorpions goal, Alhassan took a free kick from just outside the area and curled it across the box where it found midfielder Ibson Barreto De Silva, who headed it in to make the score 3-2 in favor of the visitors headed into halftime.

Just three minutes into the second half, De Silva returned the favor as he switched the ball from right to left and found Alhassan, who then chipped it right over the outstretched hand of Sattler and into the net.

The Scorpions forced the issue and continued to send numbers forward looking to get back into the match. They finally closed the gap in the 86' when Omar Cummings - who came on as a second half substitute - was brought down by a United defender in the box. Castillo again stepped up to take the pressure-packed shot, and for the second time in the game he caught the keeper diving the wrong way to make the score 4-3.

The game suffered numerous stoppages in the final minutes as cards were handed out left and right. Head Coach Alen Marcina was asked to leave the field in the 73' after arguing a call. Within the span of 11 minutes, Castillo, Brad Rusin, and Minnesota's Juliano Vicentini all received yellow cards and then in stoppage time, Eric Hassli was sent off after picking a red card.

The Scorpions have their Fall Season bye next weekend and then will be on the road for the next two weeks as they travel to take on the Atlanta Silverbacks August 8 and then the New York Cosmos August 15. Their next home game be August 22 when the expansion Jacksonville Armada visit Toyota Field for the first time.

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North American Soccer League Stories from July 25, 2015


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