It was a tight start to the season in Minnesota as the San Antonio Scorpions and Minnesota United fought out a scoreless draw on Saturday night.
Minnesota were without Pablo Campos, who was suspended, while they did play two former Scorpions in goalkeeper Daryl Sattler and defender Aaron Pitchkolan.
The opening moments were an end-to-end affair but neither side was able to create any real chances early on.
The Scorpions started to take control after the first 15 minutes but Minnesota's defence was solid, restricting the Scorpions to corners and efforts from distance.
In the 21st minute the Scorpions had a dangerous chance with Edin Husic stepping up to take a free-kick from 25 yards but he could only hit the wall.
Simone Baracalello had a solid effort for Minnesota in the 25th minute as he hit it powerfully from distance but just missed the target.
Minnesota continued to do well as some fluid passing almost allowed Baracalello another chance only for Pat Hannigan to rush out and smother the ball.
A shot from distance from Stephen DeRoux went wide before Minnesota continued to have their chances with Etienne Barbara's shot blocked and Miguel Ibarra sent the rebound over the bar.
Minnesota had all the ball and all the chances in the closing stages of the half with a Baracalello cross causing problems in the box but Connor Tobin heading it right at Hannigan to spare the Scorpions who held on to keep it scoreless at halftime.
A set-piece gave the Scorpions the first chance of the half as Luka Vucko was found by Hans Denissen's free-kick but, under pressure from Sattler, could only send the ball wide.
The Scorpions continued their good start to the half and went agonizingly close in the 54th minute as Bryan Jordan, playing up front, could only find the side netting.
On the hour mark the Scorpions could well have hit the lead as Walter Ramirez cut in from the left and sent off a powerful shot that was denied by a superb Sattler save.
San Antonio went even closer in the 64th minute as Ramirez's in-swinging free-kick found Husic who headed well but could only find the bar which allowed Minnesota to clear as the ball bounced down on the line.
Just three minutes later Kevin Venegas was played through clear of the defense but couldn't beat Hannigan who just managed the save on the line.
Minnesota started to get on a roll and Barbara set-up Pitchkolan who looked odds on to score but was denied by a fantastic Hannigan save.
The crossbar made its impact again moments later, this time to deny Minnesota as a powerful long-range effort from Baracalello smashed off the crossbar and down with the Scorpions able to clear.
With eight minutes to play Sattler kept the clean sheet intact with another solid save to deny Nikola Vasilic who turned well to create room for the shot.
Both teams pushed through the final few minutes but were running into two defenses that are going to be hard to break down all year as the teams were forced to settle for a scoreless draw.
The rest of the league also faced draws meaning that after one week of competition, the entire league is level on one point.
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