The San Antonio Scorpions are the sports world’s newest model franchise.
In just under two years, one of the North American Soccer League’s newest clubs has gone from “the newest expansion” to championship contender. The Scorpions work to become the NASL’s top franchise will culminate as it takes on the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Toyota Field for the Soccer Bowl. The game will be shown live on ESPN3, One World Sports, and and on NASL Live.
Here are the top 10 reasons, in no particular order, why San Antonio will hoist the championship at the end of the night.
Home-Field Advantage: The Scorpions have nine wins this season at Toyota Field, and have a win percentage of .600 when they play at home. Of those nine wins, some include major victories over statistically better teams. San Antonio beat MLS side Houston Dynamo 2-0 in March. After it drew at home to FC Dallas in a friendly, the Scorpions went on to win its next two home matches by a score of 5-1.
Something’s got to give: Of the nine wins San Antonio has at home, they do not have one over Ft. Lauderdale. San Antonio took the first game 2-0 in July when it played in Ft. Lauderdale. When the two teams met at Toyota Field on Aug. 29, the Strikers responded to shut out the Scorpions 2-0.The numbers suggest the Scorpions are a better team on the road, but with the ultimate prize at stake, there’s no telling what San Antonio can do.
Ball movement will be critical: The key for San Antonio to win the championship will be top-notch ball movement. Luckily, the Scorpions have won of the best set-up men in the league in Billy Forbes. Forbes led the league this season with seven assists. Forbes thrives getting his other forwards involved, and if he can connect with them Saturday there no reason San Antonio shouldn’t roll to victory.
It’s about quality, not quantity: If there is one thing the Scorpions do well as a whole, it’s that they find quality shots that count. Ft. Lauderdale loves to fire shots at will. There’s a reason they’re called the Strikers. They led the league with 155 shots attempted for 43 goals. While San Antonio finished the season with 45 goals, they took 20 less shots than Ft. Lauderdale. This shouldn’t be a concern for the Scorpions because they have a goalkeeper with quality MLS experience.
In Saunders We Trust:
As stated above, the 33 year-old keeper will face a lot of shots Saturday, it’s what the Strikers do. But Saunders, who is on loan for the NASL Fall season from MLS expansion franchise New York City FC. He was the Los Angeles Galaxy’s primary goalkeeper during their back-to-back runs to the MLS Cup Championship in the 2011-12 playoffs, and has a record of 32-12-13. The San Antonio back line won have to stress with Saunders in net.
Jun 17, 2014; Frisco, TX, USA; FC Dallas defender Moises Hernandez (3) and San Antonio Scorpions midfielder Walter Restrepo (7) during the second half at Toyota Stadium. FC Dallas shuts out the Scorpions 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The Restrepo Advantage: Other than Saunders, the biggest advantage San Antonio has is midfielder Walter Restrepo. In 26 appearances this season, Restrepo had three goals, including a PK goal for the Scorpions. His advantage is his knowledge of Ft. Lauderdale inside and out. Restrepo led the NASL with eight assists and added six goals as a member of the 2012 NASL Best XI as a member of the Strikers. If anyone can make a blue print of how to beat Ft. Lauderdale, it’s Restrepo.
Must follow the three C’s: This championship is ideal for both clubs because, well, both teams are easily frustrated and can implode at any moment. San Antonio lead the league with 59 yellow cards and co-led the league with four straight red cards. The bright side for the Scorpions is that Ft. Lauderdale is second worst with 57 yellows and four reds. The game because a battle for discipline. If leaders like Saunders, Restrepo and others can develop a game plan to be Cool, Calm and Collected, They will easily put the Strikers away.
Keep Away: The San Antonio defense must play the game of their lives. If they do that, there’s no telling what this Scorpion blow out could look like. The defensive game plan here is simple: Keep the ball away from Fafa Picault. Picault was second in the NASL in goals scored with 12. Picault gave the Strikers the 1-0 lead when the two teams met in Aug. If San Antonio’s back line can keep the ball away from Picault, victory will be in order.
Get it to The Man: San Antonio will win this match because it has Rafael Arlex Castillo-Galvis. He led the team with eight goals. If they get him the ball early so he can establish a presence in and around the net, it’s game over.
Keep the nerves in check: We get it. This is San Antonio’s first trip to the championship, nerves will be there. If they can do that. They have the pieces in all four areas to bring the city its first football championship.
Do you think the Scorpions have what it takes to win NASL’s top prize? Let us know! Tomorrow we will have a look at ten reason why the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers will win the Soccer Bowl so stay tuned!
