Strikers Earn Home Draw against Silverbacks
Published on May 26, 2012 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers (2W-4T-3L) tied 1-1 against the Atlanta Silverbacks (0W-5T-4L) at Lockhart Stadium on Saturday, May 26th. Strikers midfielder Mark Anderson scored his third goal of the season in the draw. The Strikers played the final 16 minutes of the match a man down after captain Toni St=E5hl was sent off with his second yellow card.
"We're a little disheartened because we didn't get the result we felt we deserved," said Strikers head coach Daryl Shore.
The Strikers had the majority of the chances in the match, especially in the first half when they out-shot Atlanta seven to one. In the 38th minute, Mark Anderson broke into the box and appeared to be tripped by Silverbacks goalkeeper Daniel Illyes. The referee did not call the penalty and the half ended 0-0.
In the second half, the Strikers struck first. Pat Otte took a pass just outside the box and fired a hard shot toward net. The ball was deflected, but right to Mark Anderson who fired a right-footed half volley off the underside of the crossbar and into the net for a 1-0 lead.
The Silverbacks equalized in the 69th minute through NASL leading goal-scorer Reinaldo Navia. Ciaran O'Brien fought off a Strikers defender and hit Navia with a pass to set up the goal.
The Silverbacks' goal was preceded by a play where Pat Otte was driving toward the goal when Illyas again came far off his line and appeared to trip Otte. No call was made, and when Strikers captain Toni St=E5hl came to speak with the referee he was shown a yellow card for dissent.
In the 73rd minute of the match St=E5hl attempted a sliding tackle and was issued his second yellow card of the match and ejected. Stahl will miss the Strikers next NASL match on Saturday, June 2nd against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Next up for the Strikers is a trip to Stanford, Calif. to face the San Jose Earthquakes in the third round of the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, May 29th at 10:30pm ET.
"We're excited. Any time you get a chance to play an MLS team it's exciting," said Shore. "We know it's not going to be an easy game, but we are going there to win the game."
Tickets for Strikers home games are available by calling (954) 606-0400 or by going to Strikers.com. Follow the Strikers on facebook and twitter @FTLStrikers. All Strikers NASL games are broadcast online at Strikers.com/live.
North American Soccer League Stories from May 26, 2012
- Strikers Earn Home Draw against Silverbacks - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Silverbacks Earn 1-1 Draw in Fort Lauderdale - Atlanta Silverbacks
- RailHawks 12th Man Stands Tall as Anticipation Builds - North Carolina FC
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