Scorpions to Face Defending NASL Champion Minnesota

Published on June 1, 2012 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
San Antonio Scorpions News Release


SAN ANTONIO, TX (June 1, 2012) - Fresh off their historic win against the Houston Dynamo in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the San Antonio Scorpions return to NASL competition on Saturday, June 2 when they host the defending league champion Minnesota Stars FC at Heroes Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

This will be the first of four meetings between the two squads this season. The Stars will return to San Antonio for the Scorpions' season finale on Sept. 23.

The match pits the two hottest teams in the NASL against each other: the Stars have not lost a game this season and the Scorpions are currently riding an eight-game unbeaten streak, six of which came as a part of NASL play.

A win this weekend against the Stars could potentially put the Scorpions in first place in the league. The Scorpions are currently two points behind the first-place Puerto Rico Islanders.

SCOUTING MINNESOTA

Minnesota sits in second place in the NASL standings, just one point ahead of the Scorpions, and is the only team in the league that has not lost a game this season.

The Stars recently stunned Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer with a 3-1 victory on the road in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup.

Kevin Venegas, Neil Hlavaty and Simone Bracalello each scored for the Stars in the upset, who were one of three NASL teams to stun MLS teams in the tournament's third round. San Antonio and the Carolina Railhawks were the others.

One of the keys to Minnesota's early success this season has been the play of keeper Matt Van Oekel, who has proven to be one of the strongest keepers in the NASL this season with a 1.14 goals against average in seven starts this season.

In addition to strong play in the goal, the Stars also have one of the league's leading scorers in Amani Walker, whose three goals on the season puts him in seventh position on the NASL list of scorers.

The offense as a whole has been strong, with the team scoring 14 goals in eight games this season, good for second in the league behind the league-leading Puerto Rico Islanders (16).

The Stars last loss in league play dates back to Oct. 15, 2011 when the Stars fell to the Carolina Railhawks 4-3 in the second leg of NASL semifinals. The Stars

LAST TIME OUT

The Scorpions advanced to the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup after scoring a 1-0 victory over the two-time MLS Cup champion Houston Dynamo.

The lone goal in the game came in the 51st minute when Hans Denissen came through on a penalty kick. Pablo Campos was taken down by a swarm of Dynamo defenders to set up the penalty a minute earlier.

The win was a historic one for the Scorpions: their first against a Major League Soccer franchise and pushes them closer to the final stages of the U.S. Open Cup.

THE SATTLER EFFECT

The Scorpions are currently on an eight-game unbeaten streak including six straight in NASL matches. The Scorpions streak has been made possible by strong play from the defense as well as from goalkeeper Daryl Sattler.

Sattler, who has not lost a game since taking over for injured keeper Pat Hannigan, is 4-1-0 as the Scorpions starter and has 16 saves to go along with his 0.60 goals against average. Sattler has given up just three goals in seven games started in 2012.

In his two starts in the U.S. Open Cup, he has not allowed a goal with shutouts against the Laredo Heat of PDL and the Houston Dynamo of MLS.

COACHING CONNECTION

San Antonio head coach Tim Hankinson coached Minnesota head coach Manny Lagos with the Tampa Bay Mutiny.

Lagos, a former midfielder, played under Hankinson after being dealt to Tampa Bay in a midseason trade in 1999. He continued to play for Hankinson until he was traded again the following season.

Lagos scored 12 goals in 37 appearances for the Mutiny.

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION NIGHT

The Scorpions will be celebrating Morgan's Wonderland and the efforts of volunteers all across San Antonio with Volunteer Appreciation Night.

The team will wear a special commemorative third jersey that will serve as a tribute to Morgan's Wonderland, a theme park founded by team owner Gordon Hartman to provide a safe, clean and beautiful environment free of economic barriers that all individuals, regardless of age, special need or disability, can come to and enjoy.

The national anthem will be sung by Richard Flint, a special needs student who attends the Ability House, who has sung the National Anthem at other sporting events, including Spurs games.

NEXT UP

The Scorpions will host the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, June 5 against the Charlotte Eagles of USL-PRO before returning to NASL play on Saturday, June 9 against the Atlanta Silverbacks at home.

Tickets for both matches are available at http://sanantonioscorpions.com/tickets.

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