Strikers Face Scorpions in the Championship Final
November 14, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Fort Lauderdale, Fla (November 14, 2014) - History will be made Saturday night when the Fort Lauderdale Strikers take on the San Antonio Scorpions in the NASL Championship Final. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. [EST] at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas.
The teams will be competing for the NASL Soccer Bowl trophy, the third oldest prize for an outdoor men's professional soccer league in the United States. Neither side has claimed the trophy before. The Strikers finished as runner-up in 1980 and 2011, while 2014 marks the Scorpions' first appearance in a Championship match.
Fort Lauderdale heads into the match after upsetting top-seed Minnesota United FC in Blaine, MN last Saturday in the semifinal round. Strikers forward Martin Nuñez struck a stoppage-time equalizer to force the match into extra time and eventually a penalty kick shootout, where Kamil Contofalsky came up with two big saves to send the Strikers into The Championship Final.
"No one expected us to be in the Finals except the club's players and staff and our loyal fans," said Strikers Head Coach G-nter Kronsteiner. "Our players deserve a lot of credit for this accomplishment. We have tremendous respect for San Antonio, and we know it will be difficult to play against them on their home field. We are having a great week of practice and are excited for the challenge. We're looking forward to performing on the big stage and giving our best effort for the Championship game."
As the second seed, the Fall Champion San Antonio Scorpions won the right to host The Championship Final after the Strikers eliminated Minnesota. The Scorpions defeated the New York Cosmos 2-1 in San Antonio, courtesy of a goal in extra time.
The Strikers enter the match on an eight-game unbeaten streak (4W-4T-0L) stretching back all the way to September 13th . The team has scored 12 goals and conceded eight during the unbeaten streak. San Antonio is also in great form, posting a 4-2-2 record in their last eight games, scoring 12 goal while conceding just five.
The series between the sides this season is split right down the middle at 1-1-1. The Strikers haven't won in San Antonio in two attempts this season, with a loss and a draw to show for their two trips to Toyota Field.
With a fully fit roster, Coach Kronsteiner has all 27 players to choose from for his 18-man match day squad. The entire team will be traveling to San Antonio for this historic Championship Final match.
Series history (W-T-L)
All-time (11 meetings): 3-4-4 (14 GF/ 18 GA; -4 GD)
at San Antonio (6 meetings): 1-2-3 (7 GF/ 11 GA; -4 GD)
Team news
Suspended: None
Injured: None
2014 stat leaders
Goals: Fafà Picault (12)
Assists: Shawn Chin (5)
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North American Soccer League Stories from November 14, 2014
- Minnesota United FC's Manny Lagos Named NASL Coach of the Year - NASL
- Manny Lagos Named 2014 North American Soccer League Coach of the Year - Minnesota United FC
- Minnesota United FC Midfielder Miguel Ibarra Awarded with NASL Golden Ball - NASL
- Miguel Ibarra Awarded North American Soccer League's Golden Ball Award - Minnesota United FC
- Strikers Face Scorpions in the Championship Final - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
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