Strikers Shut out FC Edmonton in 1-0 Road Victory
Published on May 26, 2013 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (May 26, 2013) - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers earned their first victory away from Lockhart Stadium against FC Edmonton at Clarke Stadium on Sunday, May 26. Colombian midfielder Carlos Salazar was the hero for Fort Lauderdale when his penalty kick went past a diving John Smits in the 70th minute.
The Strikers fielded several players making their first start for the team with Fort Lauderdale facing the tough test of playing three games in just six days. Their next match is a home match against MLS side FC Dallas in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, May 28 at 7:30pm, followed by a return to NASL action at Lockhart Stadium against the Carolina RailHawks on Saturday, June 1.
Strikers' players Justin Chavez, Stefan Antonijevic, Daniel Arcila, Hosman Ramos and Gonzalo De Mujica all made their first starts for the team with Antonijevic and Arcila making their first starts as professionals.
"We are obviously very pleased with the result," said Strikers' head coach Daryl Shore. "To come on this long journey and take all three points speaks volumes about our team. I thought the result was very fair the way our guys played today."
In the first half of the match, FC Edmonton was forced to use a substitution in the 19th minute due to an injury to Carlyle Mitchell. Then Edmonton suffered another blow when goalkeeper Lance Parker was issued a red card for a challenge inside the penalty area. David Proctor was subbed off for goalkeeper John Smits who proceeded to save the ensuing penalty kick from Strikers' forward Stefan Dimitrov.
Once the second half began, the Strikers started to apply more pressure, especially after the 60th minute when Darnell King came on as a substitute. King was on the field for just eight minutes when his run into the box was stopped with a trip and the Strikers were awarded their second penalty kick of the day. This time it was Salazar who stepped up for the challenge. FC Edmonton goalkeeper John Smits guessed correctly, but Salazar's shot was well placed and out of the keeper's reach to make the score 1-0 in the 70th minute.
The Strikers maintained possession after the goal, but goalkeeper Jeff Attinella was still called upon to make two second half saves to keep the shutout, his first for the Strikers.
Fort Lauderdale moves into sixth place in the NASL standings, six points behind first-place Atlanta and four points behind the trio of Carolina, Tampa Bay and Minnesota.
North American Soccer League Stories from May 26, 2013
- Strikers Shut out FC Edmonton in 1-0 Road Victory - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- NASL Week Eight Recap - NASL
- Ten-men Eddies allow a goal on second penalty of game, lose 1-0 - FC Edmonton
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