Atlanta Silverbacks v.s New York Cosmos
The fight for first place. Both of these clubs are undefeated so far during the spring season. The Silverbacks have a new coach in Gary Smith , and brings a different approach to the team. A new style that the players have picked up and have ran full speed with. The matchup against the Cosmos is not going to be an easy task. The Cosmos defense so far has been solid , it is going to be interesting to see how they far against an undeafte side like the Silverbacks. Mads is not getting the start tonight , Lucky is replacing him. A surprising addition to the team is Samuel Caceres who had visa issues earlier on in the season will start on the bench for the Cosmos.
Prediction: Cosmos 2- Silverbacks 1
Indy Eleven v.s Carolina Railhawks
Indy Eleven got three points from the Scorpions last week , and this week they are up against the Railhawks. The Railhawks have great depth in the midfield , greta forwards , Nacho Novo and Simone. Indy Eleven have a solid defense , which just gave up 1 goal last week .
This is a clash to move up the table , the Railhawks currently sit in 5th place with 4 points. Indy Eleven are in 3rd place with 5 points. With a Indy Eleven victory they put pressure on the winner of the Cosmos – Silverbacks match .
Prediction: Indy Eleven 2-1 Carolina Railhawks
Tampa Bay Rowdies v.s Jacksonville Armada
The Rowdies host in state rivals the Armada . The Armada have deep a team. They play with a different formation and style of play , that we see in this league. The Rowdies dropped important points on the road last week to the Cosmos. Tonight they are going to be looking to gain some important points , and try to win the Coastal Cup.
Players to watch:
Rowdies: Darnell King
Armada: Marcos Flores
Minnesota United vs San Antonio By: Kevin Collins
This season
The early 2015 season has not been kind to neither Minnesota nor San Antonio. Both come into this game on losing streaks of 1 & 2 games, respectively. Minnesota was able to squeak out a draw in their first match but failed to get any points in their second. San Antonio, on the other hand, had an opportunity to get at least a point this past Saturday, but was undone by a near stoppage-time goal by Indy Eleven that sunk the Scorpions.
This is the first home game of the season for United, and the first since they were announced by Major League Soccer as the next expansion franchise. For San Antonio, this is the first road test for the defending champs of the season. Last year, San Antonio was formidable on the road – something they’ll want to repeat this year.
Saying this game is a must-win for both sides is an understatement if they want any chance at the Spring Championship, which may well be out of reach for both sides already.
Last season & Outlook.
In the three games last year, San Antonio went 1-0-2 against the lads from the north. Minnesota was able to capture the Spring Championship while the Scorpions stole the Fall Championship on the last game of the season from a stoppage-time goal from Adrian Cann that gave the Alamo City boys the title. It seemed as though the two teams would meet in the Soccer Bowl, but United were undone at home versus the Strikers, whom the Scorpions defeated for the title.
Both teams have very high expectations for this season. Both title contenders on paper, but have yet to show it on the field. Both teams are at the bottom of the table. Both teams are without wins. Both teams are struggling to score.
Players to watch.
For Minnesota, like always, it’s the duo of Miguel Ibarra and Christian Ramirez. The USMNT call-up & 2014 Golden Boot winner have been pretty quiet in their first two games. I don’t expect them to stay quiet and they might awaken in their first home game of the season.
San Antonio’s player to watch is César Elizondo. Last week it seemed like he was just running around the pitch without any purpose. If San Antonio is going to score more goals, he will need to be more involved, have better first touches, and take better strikes.
Prediction.
Of course I want the red & black to win, but from what I’ve seen in the first two games, I’m not too optimistic and I’ll be happy with a draw. Hopefully Cummings can continue his scoring streak and maybe Elizondo will help contribute as well. It will be interesting to see how our men handle the first away game against the reigning Spring and Woosnam Cup winners. It pains me to say this, but my scoreline for this game is 2-0 in favor of Minnesota.
Prove me wrong, Scorpions!
The game is this Saturday, April 25th at 7:00 pm CST at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota. #MNUvSAS
The 2014 champs are off to a poor start to the 2015 season. This loss hurt more than the opener; How that long ball found the back of the net, I have no idea. That was the dagger that sealed the 2-1 victory for the visiting Indy Eleven.
In my opinion, these first two games were a result of an almost non-existent pre-season & signing players too late for any chemistry to take hold. I saw a lot of hero ball played, especially in the second half. Our guys were taking the Indy defense one-on-one and never looked for other teammates to pass to to attempt better shots.
There were quite a few chances for the Scorpions to take the lead in the first, even a few that were right in front of goal that were somehow cleared by the visitors. The lone bright spot, again, was Omar Cummings who netted his second goal of the season in the 52′.
We looked to take the 3 points until a questionable foul led to an Indy free-kick that was headed in to tie the game in the 64′. Even still, we looked close to securing our first point of the season until a freak 40 yard punt by Indy Eleven somehow got past Kempin to steal all the points for the visitors. No words.
Bottom of the table, no wins, no points. Safe to say the Spring Season Championship is out of reach now.
Our next game is this coming Saturday as we go on the road for the first time this season to take on the 2014 Woosnam Cup winners & new MLS expansion franchise, Minnesota United FC.
Hopefully our fortunes turn around, but we might be in for a long season, Scorpion fans.
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