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The Basics
Tampa Bay Rowdies at San Antonio Scorpions FC

Saturday, May 5 at 8:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. CT)

Heroes Stadium, San Antonio, Texas

The match can be seen live online at www.RowdiesSoccer.com

You can watch the game at the Official Away Game Viewing Party at Crowley's Downtown Grill and Bar (269 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33701).

Records (W-T-L)
Tampa Bay Rowdies: 2-2-1, 8 points
San Antonio Scorpions FC: 1-2-1, 5 points

Match Preview
The Tampa Bay Rowdies visit the newest member of the NASL, the San Antonio Scorpions FC. The Rowdies are coming off an exciting 3-1 win over rivals Ft. Lauderdale, extending their unbeaten streak to four. The Scorpions posted their first-ever franchise win, a 1-0 victory over Carolina in Cary last Saturday. This will be the ever first meeting between the Rowdies and the Scorpions.

Scouting San Antonio
The Scorpions are currently in fifth place in the NASL standings with a record of 1-2-1. Head coach Tim Hankinson is at the helm of the newest franchise in the NASL. Hankinson is no stranger to Tampa Bay soccer, as he was the head coach of the Tampa Bay Mutiny from 1998-2000, leading them to playoff appearances in the last two seasons.

San Antonio got its first franchise win after a goal from midfielder Kevin Harmse in the 1-0 victory over the RailHawks last Saturday. Forward Hans Denissen leads the team with 16 shots, second-best in the league. The Scorpions are tied for third in the league with fewest goals allowed with six. Goalkeeper Daryl Sattler came on for injured goalkeeper Pat Hannigan in the 85th minute in the 1-1 draw against the Strikers on April 21. In his first game as a starter last week against the RailHawks, Sattler recorded a shutout after making four saves in the win. Sattler played for Tampa Bay in both the 2010 and 2011 seasons, starting 28 matches and posting six shutouts.

Rowdies Notes
Starting keeper Jeff Attinella was named the NASL Defensive Player of the Week after last Saturday’s game against the Strikers. He has allowed one goal or less in all five matches, including a shutout in the home opener against FC Edmonton on April 14. Attinella is tied for first in the league with Puerto Rico’s Richard Martin with a 0.80 goals against average.

The Rowdies have allowed just four goals in the first five games, tied with Puerto Rico for the fewest in the NASL.

The Rowdies have yet to allow a first half goal in 2012 and have also scored first in three of their last four matches.

Last Time Out
The Tampa Bay Rowdies notched a 3-1 victory over the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers as the teams resumed their long-standing rivalry last Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium.

The Rowdies got on the board in the 27th minute when midfielder Keith Savage sent a perfect cross to the far post to forward Matt Clare, who deposited it in the bottom corner of the net for his first goal of the year. In the 61st minute, forward Luke Mulholland was taken down in the box by a Strikers player, giving the Rowdies a penalty kick. Forward Mike Ambersley converted the penalty kick in the 62nd minute, scoring in the bottom left corner of the net for a 2-0 Tampa Bay lead.

The Strikers got on the scoreboard in the 90th minute of play when midfielder Walter Restrepo headed the ball into the top right corner after a high cross from second half substitute Abe Thompson. The Rowdies put the game away in injury time as Savage made it 3-1 after a great assist from Ambersley. Savage received a pass from Ambersley, who had already eluded Strikers goalkeeper Matt Glaeser, and his shot hit the bottom right of the net for his first goal of the year.

Quotable
Rowdies Head Coach Ricky Hill
“We are pleased with the progress we have made but of course we know we can continue to improve in several areas. We expect a difficult test from San Antonio this weekend and we are excited for what I am sure will be an excellent gameday atmosphere in Texas.”

Up Next
The Rowdies host San Antonio at Al Lang Stadium on Saturday, May 12 at 7:30 p.m., presented by Crowley's Downtown Grill and Bar. The first 500 fans will receive a Rowdies Crowley's Koozie. For ticket information, call 813-287-1539 or click here.