RECAP | Scorpions 3, Rowdies 0
The Tampa Bay Rowdies saw their eight-game unbeaten run snapped on Saturday night with a 3-0 loss to the San Antonio Scorpions. An early goal by midfielder Marvin Chávez and a pair from forward Omar Cummings gave the home side the victory. With this result, the Rowdies remain first in the combined NASL standings.
A great start by the Rowdies featured two quick chances for the visiting team as both midfielder Brian Shriver and forward Darwin Espinal had opportunities to score the first goal of the match.
An 11th minute goal by Chávez put the home team ahead in the first half. As the clock passed the 10th minute mark, Chavez received a ball Cummings and cut inside to get by a Rowdies defender and create space. His shot curled past a diving Rowdies goalkeeper Matt Pickens to conclude a perfect counter attack.
After going down 1-0, the Rowdies almost found the equalizer in the 16th minute as forward Corey Hertzog capitalized on a defensive mistake and went one-on-one with Scorpions goalkeeper Matt Cardone. Hertzog curled a shot as he entered the 18-yard box, but Cardone made a diving save to his left.
As the Rowdies continued to try to find ways to score, Pickens denied Cummings in the 39th minute inside the six-yard box. A perfectly executed counter attack left Cummings one-on-one with Pickens, with the Rowdies keeper going down fast to deny the forward the goal.
The second half started the same way as the first 45 minutes, with the Rowdies controlling possession and trying to create chances in the final third. Forward Robert Hernández nearly tied it up in the 53rd minute after forcing Cardone to make a diving save to rob the Venezuelan the goal.
Despite controlling the ball, it was another counter attack that led to the Scorpions second goal of the night. In the 54th minute, midfielder Billy Forbes beat defender Darnell King down the right side and fired a low cross into the six-yard box. His perfectly placed cross found Cummings inside the box, who tapped it past Pickens to make it 2-0.
Minutes later, Cummings completed his brace after receiving a through ball from midfielder Rafael Castillo and slotting his shot past Pickens.
With midfielder Georgi Hristov and forward Maicon Santos coming in off the bench, the Rowdies were able to create chances to cut the lead, but were unable to find the back of the net. Reaching the 81st minute, Santos had a great individual run to send in a low cross into the box, but forward Zak Boggs skied his shot from six yards out. One minute later, it was Santos himself who had the chance, but Cardone dove to his right to keep the shutout alive.
