Thursday, November 5, 2015

Scorpions Sell Toyota Field

The owner of the San Antonio Scorpions has sold Toyota Field to Boxer County and the City of San Antonio. He issued a statement claiming that he sold the field because the city was looking for an MLS bid. To think that a city does not have the gall to support what they have now is incontrovertible. The city should be ashamed for selling the Scorpions down the river in favor of a "franchise" that is probably not going to happen anytime soon... unless the Spurs get involved, which it looks like they will play in USL next year, according to the same statement.

In that regard, this is business as usual in American soccer, and it's long been time for a change. And shame on the owner for selling out to the city because the city rejected what they built in San Antonio. I'm not saying that the fans rejected them, I'm saying that the official people in the city rejected them, as can be evidenced by the purchase of the stadium and the marketing that they just got a brand new soccer facility. I think that the Scorpions' SGs should rise up in defiance of this USL team ad continue to support the Scorpions, should they play next season.

In other news, Bill Peterson is announcing another expansion side next week. Hopefully this is more like Indy and Ottawa and not like OKC and NoVA.

[UPDATE: The scheduled announcement has been called off.]

Sunday, November 1, 2015

NASL Soccer Bowl Playoffs Set

The field for the 2015 NASL Soccer Bowl playoffs is set after the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers knocked out the Rowdies by defeating the Jacksonville Armada 1-0 today in Jacksonville. They now go up to Coney Island to take on the Cosmos next week at 2PM ET. The Cosmos and Strikers have formed a rivalry that extends even back to the original NASL, when they competed with some of the world's top players. Now, both teams sit in the playoffs for the Soccer Bowl, The Cosmos defeated the Strikers in their first match of the season way back in April 1-0 thanks to a goal from Leo Fernandes. In their second meeting of the season on August 2, the Cosmos defeated the Strikers 2-0 thanks to goals from Hunter Freeman and Leo Fernandes. Just 6 days later, however, the Strikers and Cosmos drew 3-3 at Lockhart Stadium with the Strikers leading 1-0 after halftime with a goal from Gabriel. After a Ramirez brace, the Cosmos struck back with a vengeance, ultimately with Guenzatti scoring the game-tying goal in the 90th minute.

Prediction: NY 2-1 FTL

The offering on Sunday is the Ottawa Fury hosting Minnesota United. For Minnesota, it was the case of no Ibarra, no problem. Ottawa was the surprise package this season, tying the Cosmos on points after the season was complete. The head-to-head matchups featuring Ottawa and Minnesota have been entertaining, with the April 18 match at TD Place finishing 1-0 to the Fury thanks to a goal from Tom Heinemann. In their second meeting, this tome in Minnesota, the Fury and United drew 1-1, thanks to goals from Christian Ramirez and Tom Heinemann. That game did get a little nasty at the end there as there were 2 yellow cards issued to Minnesota in the last few minutes. Their final regular season encounter took place at TD Place where this time it was Minnesota United taking the victory away from home 2-1, thanks to a 90th minute goal from Ramirez.

Prediction: OTT 1-1 MIN (2-4)

Final Prediction: NY 2-1 MIN aet