Atlanta Soccer News: Art, Music and Culture: Silverbacks tie the San Antonio Scorpions 2-2

San Antonio Scorpions 2 Atlanta Silverbacks 2

The Atlanta Silverbacks and San Antonio Scorpions played to an exciting, but evenly matched, 2-2 draw as both teams had chances to break the stalemate in the second half, but came up short.
After a first half that featured all four goals, the second half was dominated by defense, yellow cards and missed opportunities.
“Both teams have contrasting styles and brought great football tonight,” said Scorpions coach Tim Hankinson.  “If you’re a fan here tonight you got more than your money’s worth.  We need to build on the confidence of scoring goals and make sure that becomes commonplace.”
Richie Menjivar put the visitors in front early on, but then home forward Hans Denissen connected on a perfectly placed cross from Javier Saavedra, ending the three-game scoring drought.


Only eight minutes later, Ramirez created a second goal for the Scorpions when he crossed a nicely placed ball into the center of the field.  Denissen received the service and sent a touch pass to Edin Husic, who sent a powerful shot into the goal from 18 yards out.


Atlanta drew level in the 30th minute when the Pedro Mendez took advantage of a defensive lapse and dribbled through the entire Scorpions back line and buried a shot in the back of the net.
“We came in to a tough place to play and had to fight hard to get a point today,” admitted Atlanta coach Brian Haynes.  “My goal is to bring in new young players and I can’t fault their heart and I’m very proud of the boys tonight.”
Neither side could find the decisive goal in the second half, and a win for Atlanta would have taken them to the top of the NASL standings.
Kevin Harmse dribbled through the defense and blasted a shot that deflected off the Silverbacks’ keeper in the 80th minute the Blake Wagner shot just wide of the opposite post from the rebound. 
Atlanta had another chance to score in the last minute of stoppage time, but Scorpions keeper Pat Hannigan blocked the breakaway opportunity
.