Edmonton Snaps Strikers Six-Game Unbeaten Streak in Spring Season Finale
June 12, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - A late comeback attempt came up short as the Fort Lauderdale Strikers concluded the North American Soccer League (NASL) Spring Season with a 2-1 defeat to FC Edmonton at Clarke Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Strikers kicked off the match just three points behind first-place Indy Eleven, who clinched the Spring Season title by virtue of the Strikers' defeat. Heading into the match, Fort Lauderdale had an improbable chance of stealing the title from Indy on the final day, needing a victory over Edmonton by six goals or more.
FC Edmonton forward Jake Keegan tallied a pair of first-half goals before Strikers captain PC sparked a second-half comeback attempt after netting from the penalty spot. Despite increased attacking impetus, the equalizer never came as Fort Lauderdale's six-match unbeaten streak came to an end.
"The first half we didn't show up to play and as a result we conceded two soft goals," said Head Coach and General Manager Caio Zanardi. "We started the second half strong, but it wasn't enough. We tried unsuccessfully to keep the ball and open up space, but Edmonton are a strong team. They were deserved winners today."
Things got off to a poor start for the Strikers as Keegan opened the scoring in the 18th minute of the match after being slipped in behind the defense by Daryl Fordyce and alone in a one-on-one situation with goalkeeper Diego Restrepo. His shot slid between the legs of Restrepo, who had only conceded one goal from open play in his five previous NASL matches, none of which ended in defeat.
Keegan doubled his personal tally, and the Edmonton lead, just after the half-hour mark, with a header. The Eddies held onto the 2-0 lead until halftime.
Fort Lauderdale exited the locker rooms after the halftime break with newfound attacking intent. PC struck directly down the middle from the penalty spot in the 58th minute to give the Strikers hope of getting the one point needed to stay above Edmonton.
Ramon Nuñez kept applying the pressure in the final half-hour, constantly finding himself in or around Edmonton's goal-box, creating chances and further freekick opportunities for the Strikers. It was his footwork that drew the penalty kick.
In search of the equalizer, Zanardi introduced forwards Matheus Carvalho and Giuseppe Gentile into the fray. Gabriel, making his first start of the season after Dalton was a late scratch to the starting XI, also looked to contribute on the attack.
An action-packed three minutes of added time caused scares at both ends, with the highlight being a disciplined last-minute block by PC, who sacrificed his body on the line in front of a goalbound shot by Corea to keep the score 2-1 at the final whistle.
The Strikers fall to sixth place in the NASL Spring Season Standings, behind Edmonton. The defeat also brings both Fort Lauderdale's three-game winning streak, and three-game road winning streak, to an end.
Fort Lauderdale travels directly to Washington D.C. to face Major League Soccer side D.C. United on Wednesday, June 15, in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round.
The Fall Season opener will see the Strikers host Miami FC at home on July 2 at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The 15 points tallied from the Spring Season are carried over into the Combined Standings as the Strikers look to finish the season as one of four teams competing in The Championship.
North American Soccer League Stories from June 12, 2016
- Keegan Registers Brace as Eddies Strike Down Fort Lauderdale 2-1 at Clarke Field - FC Edmonton
- Edmonton Snaps Strikers Six-Game Unbeaten Streak in Spring Season Finale - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Indy Eleven Captures NASL Spring Season Championship - NASL
- NASL Spring Season Championship Marks First Title for Indy Eleven - Indy Eleven
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