Toyota Field – Time is running out on the San Antonio Scorpions to make a playoff push. In a game that saw two red cards, 11 yellow cards an own goal and two penalty kicks – there is one word that stuck out: Disappointment.
The Scorpions and Carolina Railhawks battled to a 3-3 draw in front of an announced crowd of 4,105 fans at Toyota Field on Wednesday night. Marvin Chávez tallied two of the three San Antonio goals, giving him three goals on the 2015 season.
“There can’t be one game this year, regardless of win or loss these guys have fought every single game, and there was no difference tonight,” Scorpions head coach Alen Marcina said. “So I’m proud of them for that reason, but at the same time we’re disappointed.”
Carolina struck first when Nacho Novo banged home a rebound that was first saved by San Antonio goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes, but fell on Novo’s leg, who put the ball into the empty net at 18′. Four minutes later, Midfielder Tiyi Shipalane sent a shot to the left corner of the goal out of Fernandes’ reach to put the Railhawks up 2-0.
Things got chippy when Adrian Cann was given a Red Card early, ending his night and suspending him from Saturday’s match.
San Antonio got on the scoreboard in the 28′ when Chavez put home a rebound of his own off a César Elizondo shot attempt into the far post to make it a 1-2 match going into the second half.
The Scorpions began the second half on the attack, despite being down a man. Cesar Elizondo was taken down in the box and was awarded a penalty kick in the 48′. Elizondo stepped up, but Carolina ‘keeper Fitzgerald stopped the attempt to keep his team up by a goal.
The red and black put several shots on goal and finally found the back of the net in the 54′. Railhawks team captain Tobin was ejected from the game after illegally preventing the ball from going into the net using his hand. Elizondo converted on his second penalty kick of the game to even the score 2-2.
San Antonio broke the tie in the 65′ when Chávez stole the ball at midfield and sent a 22 yard blast that found the back of the net to put the Scorpions ahead 3-2.
The lead would not hold as an own goal would cost the red and black three points. Carolina sent in a cross from the right side and it took an unlucky bounce off Nana Attakora’s foot and past Fernandes to make it a 3-3 game. Neither team would score for the rest of the match.
“The result was not what we were expecting because we were fighting the whole game but we have to keep working for the next game,” Chavez said through an interpreter.
The Scorpions are now 2-4-5 (10 points) on the season and will return to the pitch on Saturday to close out their home stand against Indy Eleven.
