Scorpions Fight Hard But Ultimately Lose 1-2 in New York

August 15, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
San Antonio Scorpions News Release


NEW YORK CITY, New York - The Scorpions fell 1-2 on the road to the New York Cosmos Saturday night as Milton Palacios' first San Antonio goal and Billy Forbes' league-leading sixth assist were not enough at James M. Shuart Stadium.

After 45 minutes of play, the game was tied at 0-0, but the offense picked up quickly for both teams with two goals scored in 1st half stoppage time. In the 46', Milton Palacios put the Scorpions on the board with his first NASL goal on a play that began when Billy Forbes made a piercing run down the right side. He outplayed two Cosmos defenders and sent a cross into the box that found Palacios in front of goal. Palacios volleyed it into the right-hand corner of the net over the outstretched hand of New York goalie Jimmy Maurer to put the Alamo City Boys up 1-0.

The San Antonio lead was short lived, though, as the Cosmos leveled the match at one goal apiece in the waning seconds of stoppage time. Raî=BAl collected the ball just outside the Scorpions area and took a powerful shot from the middle of the field. The ball hit the top of the crossbar and caromed out as Scorpions 'keeper Daniel Fernandes dove after the shot, but unfortunately it rebounded right to Cosmos midfielder Leonardo Fernandes and he headed it into the open side of the goal.

The Scorpions came out of the break looking to take back the lead, but in the 48' it was New York that went ahead 2-1. The play started with a free kick from Cosmos defender Hunter Freeman on the left side, where he crossed the ball into the middle of heavy traffic in the box. It took an unlucky bounce off the midsection of Scorpions defender Brad Rusin and ricocheted past Fernandes for an own goal.

San Antonio coach Alen Marcina pushed for the equalizer by using his substitutions to bring in offensive firepower with Giuseppe Gentile, Josué Soto, and Eric Hassli. The subs came close to pay dirt by creating dangerous chances throughout the second half. In the 73rd minute, Forbes dribbled his way to the top-center of the box and laid the ball off for Gentile. The striker put all of his leg into a strong shot, but he sent the ball just over the top of the crossbar and out of play. Then in the 88', Hassli had a great touch with his heel to pass the ball to Cummings, who dribbled outside the box and found Palacios set up on the right side. The Honduran took a long shot that came close to being his second, but instead the ball sailed just wide of goal.

The Scorpions will return home next Saturday night for the first time in almost a month as the expansion Jacksonville Armada visit Toyota Field for the first time on August 22.



North American Soccer League Stories from August 15, 2015


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