SAN ANTONIO — Scorpions midfielder Walter Restrepo buried his head into the ground and lay on the field at Toyota Field in disbelief. With the Scorpions leading 1-0, a pass for the speedy Restrepo sailed out of reach.
Less than a minute later — in the 40th minute of the first half — U-21 Mexico forward Giovanni Casilla scored to tie it at one. Six minutes of playing time later — only seconds into the second half — Scorpions defender Julius James misplayed a clearing attempt and scored an own goal.
It was that kind of night for the Scorpions. Poor passing, questionable hustle and unfortunate bounces (two posts) led to a 3-3 draw against the U-21 Mexico National Team.
“We’re honored that we had the opportunity to play such a great team,” Scorpions manager Alen Marcina said. “This is the future of Mexico. We’re going to see a lot of these guys in the next World Cup.”
Scorpions attack Eric Hassli, who came on to start the second half, scored a penalty kick goal in stoppage time to save his team from defeat.
“(Mexico) was well disciplined and very well prepared,” Hassli said. “They had some great guys.”
Marcina said after the match his team not only deserved the draw, but it should have won.
However, most of the game was played in Mexico’s attacking third, and the visitors routinely had chances behind the Scorpions’ defense.
Mexico forward Jorge Espiricueta scored a penalty kick goal in the 72nd minute to give his squad a 3-2 lead.
The Scorpions’ only lead came in the opening minutes. Attack Billy Forbes opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a boot into the left side of the net from just outside the box.
But Forbes was the Scorpions’ only standout player as the rest of the team looked noticeably frustrated.
Late in the match, defender Greg Janicki kicked a ball that sailed over Section 113.
“We made two mistakes that cost two goals against us,” Marcina said. “I felt that we not only earned a draw, but should have had a win.”
jhyber@express-news.net
Josh Hyber, Sports Writer 