PREVIEW | Scorpions vs. Rowdies

The Tampa Bay Rowdies arrive in Texas atop the NASL combined standings following a 2-1 win over the Atlanta Silverbacks at home on July 4. Tampa Bay is unbeaten in eight NASL matches and has won three straight across the NASL midseason break. A Brian Shriver shot forced Atlanta into an own goal in the 22nd minute to put the Rowdies ahead. Darnell King doubled the lead in the 30th minute with his first goal of the season to put Tampa Bay up, 2-0. Atlanta benefitted from a Stefan Antonijevic own goal in the 36th minute, but wouldn’t score again.

Darnell King and Corey Hertzog were both named to the NASL Team of the Week for Week 1 of the Fall Season.

Maicon Santos and Martin Núñez are tied for the team lead with three goals scored. Georgi Hristov leads the NASL with five assists.

Scouting San Antonio

The Scorpions enter this match a little bit shorthanded following two red cards in a 4-0 loss to FC Edmonton last week. San Antonio opened the Fall Season with a long road trip, playing against Edmonton in Fort McMurray. The Eddies led, 1-0, at halftime before it all unraveled in the second half. Defender Nana Attakora and goalkeeper Daryl Sattler were shown red cards in the 68th and 74th minutes, respectively, which aided Edmonton in scoring three goals in the second half. Both are suspended for this match.

San Antonio finished the Spring Season in seventh place, nine points behind the Rowdies.

Defender Brad Rusin could make his Scorpions debut this weekend in place of Attakora. San Antonio acquired Rusin from the Rowdies in a trade on April 29, but has yet to appear. He began 2015 with the Rowdies but didn’t enter any matches.