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Scorpions Name Alen Marcina as Head Coach

November 20, 2013 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
San Antonio Scorpions News Release


SAN ANTONIO, TX - The San Antonio Scorpions have named Alen Marcina as their head coach, Scorpions President and General Manager Howard Cornfield announced on Wednesday.

Marcina finished the 2013 NASL season as the Scorpions interim Head Coach, following the departure of Tim Hankinson in August. The former assistant coach was chosen from a group of talented and impressive candidates that were considered for the position.

"After an exhaustive search with over 200 candidates for the position coming from around the globe, we narrowed our list down to 20 people who we conducted video and telephone conferences with," said Cornfield. "From that point, we interviewed six highly qualified candidates including those with MLS head coaching experience, national team coaching experience and those with international experience. Alen Marcina was without a doubt, the most focused, and best prepared candidate we met with."

"I am excited to have Alen as a part of our organization," said Scorpions owner Gordon Hartman. "He understands what we are about and is committed to our expectations of excellence, both on and off the pitch."

Marcina joined the Scorpions as an assistant coach on the staff prior to the 2012 season. He was born in Surrey, British Columbia, and attended Barry University where he played soccer. Marcina played professionally over an eight-year career that spanned to over five different countries. The former striker scored 62 goals over the course of his career.

After taking over as the interim Head Coach in 2013, Marcina led the Scorpions to a 10 point finish, including back to back home wins from October 5th to October 13th. The announcement marks the first full time head coaching position for the Canadian since he retired from playing in 2010.

"I am thankful and blessed with the opportunity to lead the Scorpions next season and continue the growth of Soccer for a Cause," said Marcina. "I am all about winning championships and our cause, so that's what drives me. I know what it takes to win and I want to assure all of our incredible fans that the Scorpions will be the most prepared team in the North American Soccer League in 2014."

Marcina, Cornfield and the rest of the Scorpions front office will begin preparation for the 2014 NASL season immediately as they look to put together a championship-caliber squad.

"Alen is a rising star in the coaching business and we are excited to have him at the helm," said Cornfield. "We have high expectations as it relates to competing for the championship in 2014. Alen got very high marks for the job he did in a very difficult situation. He earned the respect of the players and many fans reached out to us during the process supporting the fine job he had done."

Marcina will look to take the club to a Soccer Bowl next season while also continuing to help the expansion of Soccer for a Cause, which showed so much success during the 2013 season.

"We have two missions here; one is to win a championship for our fans and the other is to support our cause," said Cornfield. "Alen clearly understands what Soccer for a Cause is about and is the best man to lead us forward."

Initiated in 2010, Soccer for a Cause rallied community support for pro soccer and led to the creation of the Scorpions franchise, which - along with their new stadium home Toyota Field - commits all net profits to non-profit Morgan's Wonderland, the world's first theme park designed with special-need individuals in mind and built for the enjoyment of all. In October of 2013, Soccer for a Cause announced that it had generated nearly $700,000 for the special needs community.

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