Scorpions, Strikers Advance to the Championship Final
Published on November 8, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release
NEW YORK - Much like the conclusion of the North American Soccer League (NASL) regular season, the semifinal round of The Championship, the league's four-team postseason tournament, was filled with late drama.
When it was all said and done, the San Antonio Scorpions and Fort Lauderdale Strikers emerged as the two teams that will battle for the Soccer Bowl trophy in The Championship Final on Saturday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m. CT (8:30 p.m. ET) at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Tex.
As the #2 seed, the Scorpions were the highest-seeded team to win in the semifinal round, giving them the right to host The Championship Final next weekend. The match will air live on ESPN3, ONE World Sports, and NASLLive.com.
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 1, Minnesota United 1 (5-4 on PKs)
In the first of two games on Saturday night, top-seeded Minnesota United FC welcomed the Strikers to NSC Stadium. U.S. international Miguel Ibarra put the hosts in front in the 34th minute with a chipped effort over a helpless Kamil Contofalsky. With numerous chances going unfinished by both sides, it looked as if the Loons were going to hold on to the 1-0 result and book their place as hosts of the Final.
The Strikers had other ideas, finding the net in second-half stoppage time to force extra time. Strikers forward Martin Nu�=B1ez came back to haunt his former club, beating United goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel with a well-struck effort. The two teams played to a pair of scoreless extra time periods before settling matters on penalty kicks.
Contofalsky, who came up with some big saves all night long, stoned an effort from United midfielder Aaron Pitchkolan in sudden death penaltiy kicks to clinch the victory and earn the Strikers their spot in the Final.
San Antonio Scorpions 2, New York Cosmos 1
Meeting for the second straight weekend at Toyota Field, the Scorpions and New York Cosmos played for the other spot in the Final. The visitors got on the board first through forward Mads Stokkelien, who finished off a pass from defender Ayoze to give the Cosmos a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute. San Antonio had a quick answer, though, leveling matters three minutes later through midfielder Rafael Castillo.
After a scoreless second half, the game headed into extra time, where both teams traded scoring opportunities in the early going. In the 110th minute, the breakthrough finally came for San Antonio, and it was midfielder Walter Restrepo that created the goal. The San Diego, Calif. native dribbled the ball deep into the visiting penalty area and eventually saw his effort deflected into the net by Cosmos defender Carlos Mendes. The own goal would prove to be the difference, meaning the Scorpions will play for a league title in front of their home fans next Saturday.
"I'm really proud of our guys. We had a great group of guys come together, an excellent coaching staff, and we set our goals right from the preseason," said Scorpions head coach Alen Marcina. "We said we were going to do whatever it takes and the guys have listened and executed the plan. I'm speechless right now."
North American Soccer League Stories from November 8, 2014
- Scorpions Advance to the NASL Championship Final with 2-1 Win - San Antonio Scorpions
- Strikers Defeat Minnesota, Will Play in the Soccer Bowl - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Scorpions, Strikers Advance to the Championship Final - NASL
- Strikers Defeat Minnesota United FC in Shootout, Will Play San Antonio in Soccer Bowl - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Minnesota United Falls to Fort Lauderdale in Penalty Shootout in Semifinal Match - Minnesota United FC
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