PREVIEW | Scorpions' Attack Looks To Keep Firing Against Indy

When the San Antonio Scorpions and Indy Eleven get together this weekend at Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis, it will be desperate times and desperate measures for both clubs.

A glance at the Combined Standings shows the Scorpions sitting on 26 points (6W-8D-11L) and Indy one point higher with 27 (6W-9D-11L), though the Scorpions have played one less game than the Eleven.

“I think it is going to be an exciting match for fans,” Scorpions head coach Alen Marcina said. “It is two teams that want all three points. Both teams have to take chances and take risks.”

That both teams are in a position where they must take chances and risks can be clearly seen in the last couple of results. San Antonio has not won a game since their last meeting with Indy on September 12. The Eleven have not tasted victory since a win over Jacksonville on September 5.

“Everybody has their strengths and weaknesses. Indy has them. We have them,” Marcina said. “We’ve done our homework and it all comes down to execution. If we implement and execute the game plan, we feel very confident of getting the result.”

The Eleven will enter the game with one of the most balanced attacks in the league. Four different players share the team lead in goals scored with three apiece. For the Scorpions, Omar Cummings and Rafael Castillo are both in the top ten in scoring in the league, but it was recent signing Kris Tyrpak that hit an unbelievable half volley last week against Fort Lauderdale to take NASL Play of the Week honors. In that game, San Antonio moved back to a four-man back line with Eric Hassli joining Cummings up top.

“A draw at this point is meaningless. It’s three points or nothing,” Marcina said. “It could be an open game. We fancy our chances if we stick to our game plan.”

By the Numbers:

• This will be the sixth meeting between San Antonio and Indy dating back to the Eleven’s debut in the 2014 season. The Scorpions lead the series with three wins, two losses, and no ties. The two clubs have split the two previous meetings this year with San Antonio winning, 2-0, on September 12 and Indy winning, 1-0, on April 18. In two previous trips to Indy, the Scorpions have one win and one loss. 

• Kris Tyrpak, 23, is the 3rd youngest player to have scored a goal for the Scorpions. Eriq Zavaleta was 20 when he scored in June 2013 while on loan from Seattle Sounders and Josué Soto was a couple of months younger than Tyrpak when he scored in 2012 while on loan from Houston Dynamo. Tyrpak also joins Soto as the only native Texans to have scored for the Scorpions