Tampa Bay Rowdies Open Season with 3-1 win over Defending Champions San Antonio Scorpions

By Neal Nachman
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Updated: April 4, 2015

The Tampa Bay Rowdies defeated the San Antonio Scorpions 3-1 on Saturday night at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Tex. An early goal from defender Stefan Antonijevic put the Rowdies up 1-0, while forward Darwin Espinal doubled the lead as the first half came to a close. Forward Corey Hertzog extended the Rowdies lead in the 61st minute with a fantastic finish at the far post.

The Rowdies’ first goal of the season came in the 10th minute of the match, as Antonijevic headed a perfect corner kick from midfielder Georgi Hristov into the back of the net. Momentum shifted after the first goal, as the Scorpions looked for the equalizer that would get them back into the match.

Led by midfielder Rafael Castillo, San Antonio had several chances to score their first goal of the match, but a strong Rowdies defense would keep the score 1-0.

As the first half entered aggregate time, defender Darnell King made a speedy run down the right flank and into the box. After being initially denied by a Scorpions defender, King slotted the rebound back to Espinal, who calmly placed his shot past the Scorpions goalkeeper Jon Kempin.

San Antonio began the second half pressuring the Rowdies in search of cutting the lead in half. Fifty-five minutes into the match, midfielder Marvin Chavez came very close to scoring the Scorpions first goal as his shot fired off the crossbar and out for a goal kick. Minutes later, Antonijevic came up big for the Rowdies blocking a shot inside the 18-yard box that was heading towards the goal.

As the Scorpions continued to apply the pressure, it was Hertzog that extended the Rowdies lead to 3-0. In the 61st minute, the Rowdies forward received a pass from midfielder Marcelo Saragosa and curled his shot into the top corner of the net.

With the match winding down, the Scorpions were able to find the net for the first time. Rowdies goalkeeper Kamil Contofalsky had initially made a diving save on midfielder Rafael Castillo’s shot, but it was forward Omar Cummings who would score off the rebound.

Scoring Summary
Tampa Bay: Stefan Antonijevic – 10th minute (Assisted by Georgi Hristov)
Tampa Bay: Darwin Espinal – 45+ minute (Assisted by Darnell King)
Tampa Bay: Corey Hertzog – 61st minute (Assisted by Marcelo Saragosa)
San Antonio: Omar Cummings – 90th minute

Caution Summary
San Antonio: Josue Soto – 16th minute
Tampa Bay: Keith Savage – 17th minute
Tampa Bay: Darwin Espinal – 27th minute
Tampa Bay: Robert Hernandez – 40th minute
Tampa Bay: Marcelo Saragosa – 45th minute
Tampa Bay: Juan Guerra – 47th minute
San Antonio: Marvin Chavez – 55th minute
San Antonio: Cesar Elizondo – 64th minute
Tampa Bay: Zac Portillos – 75th minute
San Antonio: Julius James – 80th minute
San Antonio: Julius James – 90th minute (Red Card)

Lineups
Rowdies (4-3-3): GK Kamil Čontofalský; D Darnell King, Tamika Mkandawire, Stefan Antonijevic, Zac Portillos; M Marcelo Saragosa (c), Keith Savage (Juan Guerra 33′), Georgi Hristov; F Robert Hernandez (Zak Boggs 69′), Darwin Espinal (Justin Chavez 84′), Corey Hertzog

Scorpions (4-2-3-1): GK Jon Kempin; D Saad Abdul-Salaam, Nana Attakora, Julius James, Stephen DeRoux; M Rafael Castillo, Josue Soto; M Marvin Chavez, Billy Forbes, Cesar Elizondo (Pablo Cruz 70′); F Eric Hassli (Omar Cummings 67′)

Up Next
The Rowdies are coming home to a renovated Al Lang Stadium to host Minnesota United FC on Saturday night, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. The festivities include a pregame concert by The Black Honkeys and postgame fireworks, as well as the home debut of the 2015 Rowdies.