Scorpions Look to Sweep Season Series vs. Atlanta

Published on September 18, 2012 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
San Antonio Scorpions News Release


SAN ANTONIO, TX (September 18, 2012) - With the regular season winding down, the first-place San Antonio Scorpions (13W-7T-6L) have a chance to make history when they take on the Atlanta Silverbacks (6W-8T-12L) on Wednesday, Sept. 19. Kickoff for the match is set for 6:30 p.m. CT at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.

The Scorpions, with 46 points, have a three-point edge over the Tampa Bay Rowdies with just two regular season matches remaining. A Scorpions win paired with a Rowdies loss or draw would secure the regular season championship for San Antonio.

If the Rowdies lose their match vs. Carolina on Wednesday, the Scorpions need just a draw against Atlanta to become the first NASL expansion team to win the regular season title.

Saturday's match will be the fourth and final regular season meeting between the two teams this season. The Scorpions fought to a scoreless road draw with the Silverbacks in the team's first ever match before defeating the Silverbacks twice at home in June.

SCOUTING ATLANTA

The Silverbacks were eliminated from playoff contention last week, but have an opportunity to play spoiler for teams jockeying for a playoff bye or home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Atlanta enters this weekday match after shutting out the Fort Lauderdale Strikers 1-0 at home on Saturday night. But overall at home, the Silverbacks have not fared well, winning just three of their 13 home matches so far this season.

On the offensive side of the ball, Atlanta is tied for the second-fewest goals scored this season (31) and they have scored just four goals in their last six matches. Matt Horth leads the Atlanta offense with 10 goals this season.

Defensively, the team has improved since the two teams met in June. In the past six matches, the Silverbacks have given up just two goals in their last six matches, four of them shutouts.

LAST TIME OUT

The Scorpions fell to the Carolina RailHawks 2-1 on a rainy Sunday night in San Antonio, marking just the third time the team had lost at home all season.

Carolina took the lead late in the first half after Gale Agbossoumonde knocked in a header in the 42nd minute.

Pablo Campos responded for the Scorpions in the second half, knocking in a shot past the Carolina keeper after receiving a pass from Jeff Cunningham to tie the match in the 63rd minute.

But the stalemate would not last long as Ty Shipalane scored the game-winner in the 69th minute to give the RailHawks the lead once again.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Wednesday's match will be the last regular season road for the Scorpions and no matter the result, they will end the season with the best road record in the NASL.

The Scorpions have earned 20 points away from San Antonio this season, coming away with at least a draw in 10 of 13 road matches so far in 2012.

The team's five road wins is tied with Tampa Bay for the most in the league this year.

HUNT FOR THE GOLDEN GLOVE

Scorpions goalkeeper Daryl Sattler leads the league with a 0.68 goals against average and is close to winning the NASL Golden Glove, which is awarded to the goalkeeper with the lowest GAA in the regular season.

In 22 starts this season, Sattler has only given up 15 goals and has recorded 13 shutouts.

OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER

On the offensive side of the ball, the Scorpions lead the league in goals scored with 43.

Scorpions forward Pablo Campos leads the league with a league-high 19 goals and is the front-runner to win the NASL Golden Boot, which is awarded to the league's leading goal scorer at the end of the regular season.

The Brazilian striker needs one goal in the final two matches to equal Etienne Barbara's total from last year. Barbara won the NASL Golden Boot in 2011 with 20 goals.

COMING UP

San Antonio will end its regular season with Fan Appreciation Night presented by Walmart against the Minnesota Stars FC at home on Sunday, Sept. 23. Kickoff for the finale at Heroes Stadium is slated for 6 p.m.

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North American Soccer League Stories from September 18, 2012


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