First published on IMSoccer News

The fourth of July festivities were scheduled for today at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio, Texas but not before NASL league leaders SA Scorpions FC took on FC Edmonton to round out a busy week for both clubs.

FC Edmonton drew with the Puerto Rico Islanders on the weekend amid a structural change in formation for head coach Harry Sinkgraven, moving from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 diamond.  The new look allowed the Eddies to utilize danger man Shaun Seiko to create in a more central position on the pitch.  Seiko is in the top 5 for both shots and assists in the league and Seiko sees more of the ball at the top of the diamond than in a wide position where he was previously.

San Antonio on the other hand look to sustain their recently affirmed top spot and continue a string of solid performances in an attempt to create some distance at the top of the table.

Early on, the FCE defense looked to benefit the most from a congested midfield with a tightly organized defense throughout most of the scoreless first half.  Certainly having more support through the center of the park protected the Eddies from counterattacks but with the additional cover the back four competed nicely.

Things came to ahead in the second half as the Scorpions came out with more determination amid a flurry of near misses.  During a lull of play at about the 60th minute Jonathan Greenfield found himself alone on the left flank about thirty yards out and sent a direct cross into the box to a waiting Esteban Bayona who headed the ball into the back of the net practically uncontested to score his fourth of the season.

The match ended with most of the possession belonging to the Scorpions and a few heated interchanges but San Antonio emerged victorious with three points leaving them top of the table.  Both teams journey to Puerto Rico with Edmonton facing the Islanders on July 7th setting up huge clash with San Antonio facing Puerto Rico on July 11th.