Scorpions Lose in Atlanta, 1-0

Published on May 25, 2013 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
San Antonio Scorpions News Release


The San Antonio Scorpions gave up a goal in the 86th minute of the game to allow the Atlanta Silverbacks to come away with all three points from the match on Saturday. The Scorpions came into Atlanta and showed a great defensive shape for the majority of the game, but just couldn't hold on for 90 minutes, as Danny Barrera's deflected strike found its way by Scorpions keeper, Patrick Hannigan and led to the win for the Silverbacks.

The game started a bit slow and flat as both teams looked to find their place in the match. Atlanta controlled the majority of the possession in the first 45 minutes, but as the half went on the Scorpions began to make a footprint into the game. The first 15 minutes went by without much action, but in the 17th minute, the Silverbacks forced the Scorpions to concede a couple of successive corner kicks, but Atlanta failed to capitalize on either chance.

In the 33rd minute, the first yellow card of the match was given to Willie Hunt for his challenge on a Scorpions attacker. Silverbacks midfielder, Milton Blanco was also given a yellow card merely seconds later for showing dissent.

In the 34th minute, Scorpions midfielder Edin Husic dribbled past a couple of defenders to create some space for a shot, but his low drive was saved well by Ati. The final ten minutes of the first half didn't exhibit many dangerous chances as both teams coasted into halftime with the score tied at zero.

"I think definitely we held our ground well," said Scorpions Head Coach Tim Hankinson after the first half. "While our possession in the first half was very good in midfield, we need to piece it together in the second half and score."

The Silverbacks opened the second half like the first and dominated the early possession. Ruben Luna and Mark Bloom combined well to force a save from Patrick Hannigan in the 47th minute to set the tone for the second period.

The Scorpions made their first change in the 53rd minute when they brought on Jeff Jennings for the tired Javier Saavedra, but the change didn't help the Scorpions right away. The majority of the second half left much to be desired as both teams found it difficult to score. The Scorpions defensive shape stayed in tact and moved with the flow of play well, but their offense continued to sputter, as they couldn't string together enough passes to create a dangerous attack.

At the 81st minute mark, Blake Wagner showed wonderful defense when he cleared a cross that was destined for the back of the net. The defensive play was one of many that the Scorpions were able to make in the tilt. After an ambitious effort from the midway line for Scorpions midfielder Pat Phelan, the Silverbacks started to create again.

Barrera was able to put away the goal with just minutes remaining, and despite a couple of good chances at the death for San Antonio, they couldn't capitalize offensively and came away from Atlanta with a loss.

"I thought we defended well all night and it was unfortunate to concede the goal at the end but overall I'm pleased," said Hankinson. "We didn't create the attacks we needed and there were no shots on goal or breakaways or crosses, which is something we need to work on."

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North American Soccer League Stories from May 25, 2013


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