Strikers Travel to San Antonio for Their First Match at New Toyota Field
Published on May 16, 2013 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (May 16, 2013) - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers, coming off their 2-1 home win against Minnesota United FC, will make their way to the new Toyota Field, home of the San Antonio Scorpions for a tilt on Saturday, May 18, at 8:30pm. The Strikers overtook the Scorpions in the NASL standings last weekend and will face a tough test from the league's only side without a victory in 2013.
"We know San Antonio is going to be ready for this game because they probably feel the same way we do, that if we don't get a result then it's going to be hard to catch Carolina and the other teams ahead of us," said Strikers head coach Daryl Shore.
Fort Lauderdale are led by the attacking core of David Foley, Mark Anderson, Walter Restrepo and Jemal Johnson. The four attack-minded players account for all five of the Strikers' goals on the season, with Foley having two scores to his credit.
"We feel like the guys we have in the attack are active guys who do a lot of moving around and complement each other really well," Shore added. "I think the way we played this past weekend gives us our best chance to create and score goals."
The Strikers have also been buoyed by the arrival, on loan, of 2012 NASL Best XI goalkeeper Jeff Attinella. Attinella made six saves for the Strikers in last week's win and was a key player in keeping United FC off the score sheet after the Strikers went a man down.
Last week's starting lineup for the Strikers' saw two other new additions as Brazilian midfielder Pecka was unable to suit up due to injury. Defender Toni Stahl stepped into the midfield, Scott Gordon took his place in central defense and former Haitian national teamer Stephane Guillaume started his first match at right back. He was unable to finish the game as he picked up his second yellow card in the 58th minute and was ejected.
"We are confident in the play of whoever has to fill in when someone can't go. Darnell King did well in replacing Stephane [Guillaume] at right back, we were pleased with the play of Manny Gonzalez and feel like we were very well organized defensively prior to going down a man," said Shore.
Midfielder Manny Gonzalez was the other new addition as the first-year midfielder made his professional debut, played 90 minutes and was the one who played a long ball from his own side of mid-field to assist on Foley's game winning goal.
The Scorpions are coming off a tough 5-2 road loss to the league-leading Carolina RailHawks. After failing to score in their first three matches of the season, the Scorpions have scored twice in each of the last two games and will be pushing to earn their first win at their new home stadium. San Antonio's leading scorer, Hans Denissen, has two goals on the year and is well known to Fort Lauderdale fans as he scored the game-tying goal in the 90th minute in these teams' first meeting of 2012 at the Scorpions' home.
Both squads will be missing a player on Saturday due to suspension, as the aforementioned Guillaume will be serving his suspension for accumulating two yellow cards and Scorpions' captain Kevin Harmse will be forced to sit out after he was shown a straight red card for a tackle in their previous game.
MATCH FACTS
FTL went 1W-2T-1L against SAS in 2012
FTL is 1W-2T-1L all-time against SAS (2012)
Last meeting: August 25, 2012 FTL 2 - 1 SAS at Lockhart Stadium
NEXT UP
The Strikers return home to begin their play in the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, May 21, against the Laredo Heat at Lockhart Stadium with kickoff at 7:30pm. For all game information and times of matches, visit Strikers.com.
North American Soccer League Stories from May 16, 2013
- Eddies' Carlyle Mitchell Recalled by Vancouver Whitecaps FC - FC Edmonton
- Strikers Travel to San Antonio for Their First Match at New Toyota Field - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Silverbacks Sign Former Clemson Standout Mizell - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Rowdies Match Preview vs Minnesota - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Miller Appointed Interim Canada Coach for Costa Rica Friendly - FC Edmonton
- North American Soccer League Week 7 Preview - NASL
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