Boca Juniors Claim Inaugural Challenge Cup
Published on July 1, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (July 1, 2015) - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers put forth a valiant effort against powerhouse Boca Juniors in the Challenge Cup, but came up short in a 3-0 loss to the iconic Argentine club in front of 6,827 fans in attendance at Lockhart Stadium on Wednesday night..
The Strikers had several quality scoring chances early in the first half despite giving up a goal on a turnover when Jonathan Calleri struck just three minutes into the game. Second-half goals from Alexis Rolin and Cristian Pavo completed the scoring
Bruno Nunes had two excellent scoring opportunities for the Strikers in a short span in the 12th and 14th minutes. Both times the shots were on target, but goalkeeper Agustin Orion made the saves. Bruno had another shot sail high in the 32nd minute before he sustained a quad injury four minutes later and was forced to exit the game.
Boca Juniors nearly scored a second tally into added time in the first half, but Strikers goalkeeper Lionel Brown denied Andres Chavez from nine yards out.
The Argentine side would eventually score a second goal in the 55th minute when defender Alexis Rolin slotted a first-time volley from close range from a corner kick by Nicolas Colazo. Brown got a piece of the ball, but not enough to keep it out of the net.
Substitute Cristian Pavo capped the scoring with an individual effort in the 77th minute. Pavo also hit the post with a header four minutes earlier.
Fort Lauderdale had 4 shots on target out of 11 total attempts. Boca Juniors finished with five shots on goal from a total of nine.
Keeper Orion finished with four saves before he made way for his backup Guillermo Sara in the 64th minute.
Both clubs rotated several players throughout the match. Boca Juniors made seven changes, while the Strikers used six subs. Two of the players on the pitch for the Strikers were trialists with the club.
The match was fairly physical as both sides committed a number of fouls -- Boca Juniors had 17 fouls and the Strikers had 14 -- resulting in three cautions for the home side and two for the Argentine club.
Fort Lauderdale returns to NASL action for the first match of the Fall Season on Wednesday, July 8, when they travel to the Carolina RailHawks.
North American Soccer League Stories from July 1, 2015
- Boca Juniors Claim Inaugural Challenge Cup - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Cosmos Fall to New York Red Bulls in U.S. Open Cup - New York Cosmos
- Minnesota United Issue Update on Stadium Proposal - Minnesota United FC
- Minnesota United and Midfielder Jonny Steele Part Ways - Minnesota United FC
- Indy Eleven & Indy BackPack Attack to Host School Supplies Drive at July 11th Match - Indy Eleven
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