Equalizer Eludes Strikers in 1-0 Defeat to Edmonton
Published on July 10, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Sunday) - A late comeback attempt by the Fort Lauderdale Strikers fell short in a 1-0 defeat to FC Edmonton on a rainy afternoon at Clarke Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta.
Despite creating more opportunities on the afternoon, Fort Lauderdale was dealt a suckerpunch as Daryl Fordyce scored the game's lone goal with Edmonton's solitary shot on target following a counter attacking move that started with goalkeeper Matt VanOekel.
"We were better than Edmonton over the 90 minutes," said Head Coach and General Manager Caio Zanardi. "We had the possession, we created the chances, but it took just one counter attack for us to lose. It was their only chance the whole game and in the first half alone we created five or six good opportunities but did not score. We need to correct this. We need to improve for our next match against Indy."
After lightning in the area delayed kickoff 45 minutes, Fort Lauderdale came out of the gates with intensity, creating three goalscoring opportunities in the first 10 minutes. Luis Felipe Fernandes twice stung the palms of goalkeeper VanOekel with strikes from outside the box. PC, who scored against Edmonton in the last meeting, went close in the 10th minute with a 30 yard free kick that forced VanOekel into a diving save.
Fort Lauderdale would continue to create the majority of chances. VanOekel made a further three saves during the match. Victor Pineda, making his first start since April 23, was denied a great opportunity in the 32nd minute, while substitute Jose Angulo was also thwarted by VanOekel in the second half.
It was the 70th minute strike by Angulo that led to Edmonton's winning goal. After making the save, VanOekel quickly played the ball forward. Jake Keegan sent a searching ball over the top that was controlled by Fordyce at the top of the 18-yard box. The forward turned his defender and fired past Diego Restrepo to make the score 1-0.
Pineda was one of two changes to the starting lineup by Zanardi. The other, Bryan Arguez, made his first appearance for the Strikers since October 2011, after re-joining the club ahead of the North American Soccer League (NASL) Fall Season.
Paulo Jr., who signed with the Strikers in a trade on Friday, made his third debut for the club as a second-half substitute. The Brazilian winger created numerous opportunities down the left side as the Strikers searched for an equalizer.
Content with a 1-0 lead, Edmonton responded to the Strikers' sustained attacking pressure by bringing on a pair of extra defenders.
Aided by six minutes of second-half stoppage time, the Strikers continued to throw numbers forward in search of the equalizer, but couldn't get past the stingy Edmonton defense.
FC Edmonton is the only team to defeat the Strikers over the last 11 matches.
NASL Spring Season Champions Indy Eleven await the Strikers in the Circle City in the club's next match on Wednesday, July 13. The Strikers return home to Lockhart Stadium on Saturday, July 16, to face the Carolina RailHawks, before travelling to Chicago to take on Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire in the Quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup the following Wednesday.
Scoring Summary
1st 2nd FT
FCE 0 1 1
FTL 0 0 0
FCE - Fordyce (Keegan) - 71'
Lineups Fort Lauderdale Strikers (4-3-3) - Restrepo; Gabriel, Agbossoumonde, James, PC; Luis Felipe, Alexandre (C), Arguez; Geison Moura (Paulo Jr. 68'), Pineda (Nuî=B1ez 67'), Maicon Santos (Angulo 56')
Unused Substitutes: Bruno, Attakora, Zapata, Gonzalez
FC Edmonton (4-5-1) - VanOekel; Nicklaw, Watson, Diakite, Eckersley; Corea, Shome, Legerwood (Gustavo 72'), Fordyce (Zebie 77'), Keegan; Ameobi (Smith 81')
Unused Substitutes: Farago, Aleksic
Misconduct Summary FCE - Shome (caution) - 20' FCE - Diakite (caution) - 41' FCE - Ledgerwood (caution) - 44' FTL - Pineda (caution) - 49' FTL - PC (caution) - 63' FTL - James (caution) - 78'
North American Soccer League Stories from July 10, 2016
- Eddies Strike Down Fort Lauderdale 1-0 for Sixth Win of Season - FC Edmonton
- Equalizer Eludes Strikers in 1-0 Defeat to Edmonton - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Fury FC Edged in Hard-Fought Battle at TD Place - Ottawa Fury FC
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