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San Antonio Scorpions

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The San Antonio Scorpions were an American professional soccer team based in San Antonio, Texas. Founded in 2010, the team made its debut in the North American Soccer League in 2012. The Scorpions played at Toyota Field, a soccer specific stadium that was completed in 2013.

San Antonio Scorpions
Full nameSan Antonio Scorpions Football Club
Nickname(s)Scorpions
FoundedOctober 4, 2010; 14 years ago (2010-10-04)
DissolvedDecember 22, 2015; 8 years ago (2015-12-22)
StadiumToyota Field
San Antonio, Texas
Capacity8,296
OwnerGordon Hartman
LeagueNorth American Soccer League
2015Spring: 7th
Fall: 10th
Combined: 10th
Playoffs: Did not qualify

The club operated differently from most professional sports clubs in terms of its operating profit. As part of owner Gordon Hartman's Soccer for a Cause, all net profits from Scorpions operations went towards funding Morgan's Wonderland, a wheelchair accessible theme park located in the Longhorn Quarry, next to STAR Soccer Complex and Toyota Field.[1]

On December 22, 2015, it was announced that Toyota Field and S.T.A.R. Soccer Complex were sold to the City of San Antonio and Bexar County, a deal which was accompanied by an agreement for Spurs Sports and Entertainment to operate the facilities and field San Antonio FC, which plays in the USL.[2][3]

History

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NASL expansion

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On October 4, 2010, the NASL announced that a San Antonio expansion team would join the new league in 2012. The team's ownership group was led by San Antonio businessman and philanthropist Gordon Hartman.[4] The official name of the team was revealed at a press conference on January 10, 2011: San Antonio Scorpions FC.[5]

In the team's first NASL game, the Scorpions tied the Atlanta Silverbacks 0–0.[6] Despite Heroes Stadium's listed capacity of 11,000, the Scorpions drew 13,151 to their home opener against the Puerto Rico Islanders on April 15, 2012. The Scorpions lost the game 4–0.[7]

The Scorpions scored their first goal the following weekend in a 2–2 tie with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, with Pablo Campos netting the first goal in the 41st minute. Hans Denissen scored in stoppage time to give San Antonio its first ever home points.[8]

The Scorpions sold 3,040 season tickets for the 2013 season.[9] After a promising spring season in which the team finished 3rd,[10] the fall season told another story. On August 27, 2013, Tim Hankinson was fired as Head Coach after an 0–0–4 start in the NASL fall season. Assistant Coach Alen Marcina was named to replace him on an interim basis.[11] Marcina was named permanent head coach on November 20, 2013.[12] The Scorpions would finish last in the fall season standings[10] and finish in 7th place in the combined table at the end of the 2013 season.

NASL Soccer Bowl champions (2014)

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The 2014 season, Marcina's first full season at the helm, was a complete turnaround for the Scorpions from the previous year. After finishing third in the spring season standings, the Scorpions captured the fall season championship on a stoppage-time goal from captain Adrian Cann in a 1–0 win over the visiting New York Cosmos.[13] The Scorpions would face the Cosmos again just a week later in their NASL Championship semi-final game at Toyota Field.[14] The Scorpions would go on to win that game in extra-time, 2–1, as Wálter Restrepo scored the winning goal in the 110th minute.[14]

On November 15, 2014, the Scorpions hosted the 2014 Soccer Bowl at Toyota Field against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in front of a modern-era NASL Championship game record attendance of 7,847 fans.[15] The Scorpions would go on to win their first NASL title beating the Strikers 2–1 in the Soccer Bowl.[16] Rafael Castillo was named the Man of the Match after he opened up the scoring with a bicycle kick that garnered national attention.[17]

Stadium

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Main article: Toyota Field
 
Toyota Field during Soccer Bowl 2014

While the club waited for Toyota Field to be constructed, the Scorpions used Heroes Stadium in San Antonio as their home for the 2012 season.

The Scorpions used Comalander Stadium as an alternate playing site for their 2012 U.S. Open Cup matchup against the Laredo Heat. Comalander Stadium is owned by North East ISD, the same owner of Heroes Stadium.[18]

In 2013, the team debuted in Toyota Field, built across the street from the STAR Soccer Complex. Construction on Toyota Field began in February 2012 and was opened in April 2013. Toyota Field seats 8,000 fans, with the possibility of expanding the complex up to 18,000 as demand necessitates.[19][20]

On November 15, 2014, Toyota Field hosted the NASL Soccer Bowl between the San Antonio Scorpions and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.[21] The Scorpions won 2–1.[22]

Club culture

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Supporters

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The Scorpions had three supporters groups:

  • The largest organized supporters group was the Crocketteers. This group was in existence for 18 months prior to the team's announcement,[23] and was instrumental in helping consolidate the San Antonio soccer fanbase behind the new team.[citation needed] The group currently has over 1,500 registered members.[citation needed]
  • The Casual Football Firm (C.F.F.) began in 2011 with the announcement of the new NASL team, the San Antonio Scorpions. Upon their inception they were known as the Bexar County Casuals. As their chapters grew to other cities, they have since come under one umbrella. The C.F.F. are known for their high energetic chants and hardcore footie style.[citation needed] C.F.F can be found standing for 90 minutes for their club chanting mostly original songs of pride.[24]
  • El Veneno was "San Antonio's first Spanish-speaking supporters group". Their chants were in Spanish.[25]

Mascot

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Sting is unveiled to fans and supporters

On April 12, 2014, San Antonio unveiled its new mascot at a home match against Minnesota United. During halftime, the new mascot was introduced to fans and supporters.[26][27] The club held a naming contest with the fans on social media[28] and after an online vote, Sting was the name given to the new mascot. Sting attended all home games at Toyota Field and could be seen alongside the team at marketing and community outreach programs.

Rivalries

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The Scorpions played MLS side FC Dallas in the deeproot Funds Cup, an annual rivalry game between the two clubs.[29] The team also played in the Hill Country Derby versus the USL's Austin Aztex. This game gave "Central Texas bragging rights" to the winner.[30]

Broadcasting

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For the 2015 season, "all 15 regular season home matches will air live on ESPN3 in the U.S., ESPN Play in Latin America, and ESPN Player in Europe, the Middle East and Africa." In total reached 75 countries.[31] All home games were also broadcast locally on KSAT-TV Channel 12.[32]

Major League Soccer expansion

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The Scorpions had declared their interest in moving to Major League Soccer.[9] Toyota Field is expandable to MLS standards of 18,000 seats, although the stadium's location 20 minutes northeast of downtown does not meet MLS's preference for downtown stadiums.[9] Owner Gordon Hartmann had preliminary discussions with MLS CEO Don Garber in spring 2014.[9] The Crocketeers supporters group have collected over 5,000 signatures in a petition to join MLS.[33] As of January 2015, San Antonio is still in discussions with MLS and "has been very active" according to Commissioner Garber.[34] On February 26, 2015, the San Antonio City Council, Scorpions owner Gordon Hartman, and MLS Commissioner Don Garber all received a letter from the president of the Mexican Football Federation, Justino Compeán, stating he and the Federation support Gordon Hartman on his bid to bring MLS to San Antonio.[35] Compeán wrote that "The city has the infrastructure, resources and diversity that makes San Antonio the ideal place for MLS expansion...I am very pleased that these local leaders have initiated the effort to bring professional soccer to San Antonio and I look forward to having them as my partner.”[36]

Year-by-year

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All-time San Antonio Scorpions coaching stats
Coach Nationality Start End Games Win Draw Loss Win % Honors
Tim Hankinson   United States September 14, 2011 August 27, 2013 50 21 11 18 042.00 2012 North American Supporters' Trophy
Alen Marcina
(interim) 		  Canada August 27, 2013 November 20, 2013 10 3 1 6 030.00
Alen Marcina   Canada November 20, 2013 November 1, 2015 62 26 14 22 041.94 2014 Fall Champions
2014 NASL Champions
Year Division League Spring season Fall season Combined table
(North American Supporters' Trophy) 		Playoffs U.S. Open Cup Top Scorer Avg. attendance
(regular season) 		Avg. attendance
(playoffs)
Player Goals
(regular season)
2012 2 NASL # # 1st Semi-Finals Fourth round   Pablo Campos 20 9,176 6,249
2013 2 NASL 3rd 8th 7th did not qualify Second Round   Hans Denissen 12 6,937 did not qualify
2014 2 NASL 3rd 1st 2nd Champions Fourth round   Rafael Castillo 7 6,810 7,198
2015 2 NASL 7th 10th 10th did not qualify Third Round   Omar Cummings 10 6,736 did not qualify

^ # Spring & Fall Championships not instituted until 2013 season

Record vs. NASL clubs

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As of November 1, 2015[37]
Regular season record
Team W D L Total
Atlanta Silverbacks 7 4 3 14
Carolina Railhawks 8 1 5 14
FC Edmonton 6 4 4 14
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 4 6 4 14
Indy Eleven 4 0 2 6
Jacksonville Armada 1 1 1 3
Minnesota United 3 6 5 14
New York Cosmos 3 0 5 8
Ottawa Fury 1 3 2 6
Tampa Bay Rowdies 7 0 7 14
Puerto Rico Islanders$ 1 0 3 4

^ $ Dissolved after the 2012 season

Record vs. MLS clubs

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Competition P W D L Win %
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup 2 1 0 1 050.00
Deeproot Funds Cup 2 1 1 0 050.00
Friendlies 1 1 0 0 100.00
Date Competition Home Team Result Away Team Location
May 29, 2012 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup San Antonio Scorpions 1–0 Houston Dynamo San Antonio, Texas
March 1, 2014 Deeproot Funds Cup San Antonio Scorpions 1–1 FC Dallas San Antonio, Texas
March 20, 2014 Friendly Houston Dynamo 0–2 San Antonio Scorpions Houston, Texas
June 17, 2014 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup FC Dallas 2–0 San Antonio Scorpions Frisco, Texas
February 28, 2015 Deeproot Funds Cup San Antonio Scorpions 2–1 FC Dallas San Antonio, Texas

Record vs. international clubs

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Competition P W D L Win %
Friendlies 9 2 3 4 022.22
Date Competition Home Team Result Away Team Location
March 14, 2012 Friendly San Antonio Scorpions 3–0   Dorados de Sinaloa Stockton, California
July 6, 2013 Friendly San Antonio Scorpions 1–5   Tigres UANL San Antonio, Texas
July 20, 2013 Friendly San Antonio Scorpions 1–2   Dorados de Sinaloa San Antonio, Texas
April 5, 2014 Friendly San Antonio Scorpions 1–1   Deportivo Saprissa San Antonio, Texas
June 21, 2014 Friendly San Antonio Scorpions 1–2   Tigres UANL San Antonio, Texas
June 28, 2014 Friendly San Antonio Scorpions 3–3   Mexico U-21 San Antonio, Texas
July 6, 2014 Friendly San Antonio Scorpions 1–1   C.F. Monterrey San Antonio, Texas
March 28, 2015 Friendly San Antonio Scorpions 4–2   Costa Rica U-23 San Antonio, Texas
June 27, 2015 Friendly San Antonio Scorpions 0–1   C.S. Cartaginés San Antonio, Texas

Honors

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League

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Minor

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  • Deeproot Funds Cup: 2014*, 2015
  • Hill Country Derby:

^ * denotes co-champions

Player honors

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Year Pos Player Honor
2012 FW Pablo Campos Golden Ball Award
Golden Boot Award
NASL Best XI
2012 DF Ryan Cochrane NASL Best XI
2012 MF Walter Ramirez NASL Best XI
2012 GK Daryl Sattler Golden Glove Award
2013 FW Hans Denissen NASL Best XI
2014 MF Rafael Castillo NASL Best XI
2014 MF Walter Restrepo NASL Best XI

Records

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Player records

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Statistics are for NASL regular season and post season only.

All-time leaders

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As of January 4, 2016[38]

Hat tricks

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Player Date Opponent
Pablo Campos4 July 28, 2012 Carolina Railhawks

4 Player scored 4 goals.

Records

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Team records

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The following records are for NASL regular season only. As of September 9, 2015

Attendance

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Matches

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Seasons

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  • Most wins in a NASL season: 16 in 27 matches, 2014
  • Most losses in a NASL season: 14 in 26 matches, 2013
  • Most points in a NASL season: 52 in 27 matches, 2014
  • Fewest points in a NASL season: 30 in 26 matches, 2013
  • Most goals scored in a NASL season: 46 in 28 matches, 2012
  • Fewest goals scored in a NASL season: 34 in 26 matches, 2013

Streaks

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  • Longest winning streak: 5 games, June 1 – July 4, 2013
  • Longest unbeaten streak: 9 games, April 21 – June 16, 2012 | May 10 – July 26, 2014
  • Longest losing streak: 5 games, August 3 – 31, 2013
  • Longest winless streak: 7 games, August 3 – September 14, 2013

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Soccer For A Cause". Archived from the original on May 18, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
  2. ^ "SS&E announces USL franchise for 2016". Terrence Thomas. San Antonio Express-News. December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  3. ^ "NASL Releases Statement on San Antonio Scorpions". NASL.com. December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  4. ^ "San Antonio to join NASL in 2012". NASL.com. October 5, 2010. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
  5. ^ Bailey, W. Scott (January 10, 2011). "Pro soccer team to be named Scorpions".
  6. ^ "Match Report | North American Soccer League". NASL. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
  7. ^ "Match Recap | North American Soccer League". NASL. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
  8. ^ "Match Recap | North American Soccer League". NASL. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
  9. ^ a b c d "San Antonio Scorpions know what it will take to join MLS ranks: "This has to be a community effort"", MLSsoccer.com, March 4, 2014.
  10. ^ a b "Standings - nasl.com". nasl.com. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  11. ^ "Scorpions Name Alen Marcina Interim Head Coach". North American Soccer League. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  12. ^ "Alen Marcina Named Scorpions Head Coach". Retrieved December 16, 2013.
  13. ^ "NASL: San Antonio Scorpions 1 New York Cosmos 0".
  14. ^ a b "NASL: San Antonio Scorpions 2 New York Cosmos 1".
  15. ^ "NASL: MATCH PREVIEW: The Championship Final".
  16. ^ "NASL: Scorpions Raise Soccer Bowl Trophy With 2–1 Win Over Strikers".
  17. ^ "San Antonio Scorpions 2–1 Ft. Lauderdale Strikers: Scorpions win NASL title at home".
  18. ^ "Scorpions Could Host Houston Dynamo in 3rd round of Open Cup". Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
  19. ^ McCullough, Bob. "Ground Broken for Scorpions Community Stadium, Home of San Antonio's New Pro Soccer Team". San Antonio Scorpions. Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
  20. ^ "Toyota Announces Presenting Sponsorships of Morgan's Wonderland, New Scorpions Stadium". San Antonio Scorpions. Retrieved August 28, 2012.[permanent dead link]
  21. ^ "NASL: MATCH PREVIEW: The Championship Final".
  22. ^ "NASL: Scorpions Raise Soccer Bowl Trophy With 2–1 Win Over Strikers".
  23. ^ Clow, Damen (February 10, 2011). "FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo meet at Whataburger Field". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
  24. ^ "San Antonio Scorpions". Archived from the original on August 26, 2011.
  25. ^ "San Antonio Scorpions". sascorpions.com. Archived from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  26. ^ "Scorpions Mascot". YouTube. April 12, 2014. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  27. ^ "Over-the-top minor league mascot reveal". April 18, 2014.
  28. ^ "San Antonio Scorpions". sascorpions.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  29. ^ SA Scorpions [@SAScorpions] (January 26, 2015). "#BigScorpionsAnnouncement @MLS comes back to SA on 2/28 when we take on @FCDallas in 2nd Annual deeproot Funds Cup!" (Tweet). Retrieved March 19, 2015 – via Twitter.
  30. ^ "San Antonio Scorpions". sascorpions.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2015. Retrieved March 19, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  31. ^ "NORTH AMERICAN SOCCER LEAGUE ANNOUNCES GLOBAL AGREEMENT WITH ESPN". nasl.com. March 26, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  32. ^ "San Antonio Scorpions games to be aired on KSAT, MeTV – San Antonio Business Journal". Bizjournals.com. April 8, 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
  33. ^ Crocketteers [@Crocketteers] (July 9, 2015). "Went over 5000 signatures yesterday for #MLSREADY" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  34. ^ "MLS Commissioner Don Garber gives update on potential expansion cities, including St. Louis". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  35. ^ McCarney, Dan (February 26, 2015). "Mexican Federation backs San Antonio bid for MLS". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  36. ^ Dan McCarney [@danmccarneyNBA] (February 27, 2015). "Here's the full letter from Justino Compean, president of the Mexican Football Federation, to MLS re: Los Scorpions" (Tweet). Retrieved March 3, 2015 – via Twitter.
  37. ^ "San Antonio Scorpions FC". Soccerway. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  38. ^ "USA – San Antonio Scorpions FC – Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos and news – Soccerway". soccerway.com.
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