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Scorpions Sign Former Major League Soccer All-Star

March 18, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
San Antonio Scorpions News Release


SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Tuesday, March 18, 2014) -The San Antonio Scorpions of the NASL (North American Soccer League) have signed former MLS designated player and All-Star Eric Hassli for the 2014 season, Scorpions President Howard Cornfield and Head Coach Alen Marcina announced today. Hassli reported to the team Tuesday and practiced with the team.

The 6'4" Hassli is a target forward with excellent skills on the ball and was most recently with FC Dallas of Major League Soccer. He has made 280 appearances during his 14-year club career in both Europe and North America and has compiled quite the personal highlight-reel in the process of scoring 78 career goals. In 2012, Hassli was nominated for the prestigious FIFA Puskás Award for "the most beautiful goal of the year" alongside the likes of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Radamel Falcao for a screaming volley he hit against Toronto FC in the Amway Canadian Championship.

"Hassli is a landmark signing for our club," said head coach Alen Marcina. "Hassli has been a designated player in MLS, has playing experience in French and Swiss top leagues in addition to Champions League. This is one more step to position ourselves to achieve our objective of competing for a NASL championship."

President and general manager Howard Cornfield was equally pleased with the marquee signing and talked about what a player of Hassli's stature brings to the club.

"Eric is a tremendous talent and is obviously a major acquisition for the Scorpions; there is no question we will be expecting a lot out of him this season as the building of our 2014 team nears completion," said Cornfield. "Alen has done an outstanding job with the reconstruction of this team."

An MLS All-Star and Designated Player while with the Vancouver Whitecaps, Hassli also was nominated for the MLS goal of the year in 2011 for a sensational long-range strike that he hit from an audacious angle in a match against the Seattle Sounders. Hassli played in the UEFA Champions League during the 2009-10 campaign with FC Z-rich of the Swiss Super League and was a youth international for France with the U21 squad in 2002.

Hassli is 32-years-old and is a native of Sarreguimines, France. His club career began with FC Metz (France) in 2000 and he has also appeared for: Southampton FC (England), Valenciennes (France), Neuchâtel Xamax (Switzerland), Servett e FC (Switzerland), FC St. Gallen (Switzerland), FC Z-rich (Switzerland), Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS), Toronto FC (MLS) and FC Dallas (MLS).

The Scorpions open the 2014 NASL season on April 12th at Toyota Field against Minnesota United FC. For information on Scorpions season tickets call 210-495-8686 or visit sascorpions.com.

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