Fort Lauderdale Vs. Puerto Rico - Semifinal News and Notes
October 4, 2011 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Oct. 4, 2011) - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers face the Puerto Rico Islanders on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 7:30p.m. in the semifinal round of the 2011 NASL Playoffs. The semifinal round is contested by a two-game series played at home and away with the winner being the team scoring the most goals in both games combined. The first game of the semifinal is Saturday, Oct. 8, at 7:30p.m. in Puerto Rico. The second game is at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 7:30p.m.
Team Notes - FTL:
- The Strikers finished the regular season, fourth place in the NASL with a record of nine wins, 11 ties, and eight losses for a total of 38 points
- They finished with the fourth most goals scored on the season, 35, and had 16 different players score at least once
- The leading goal scorers for the regular season were Brian Shriver and Eduardo Coudet, with six goals apiece.
- Goalkeeper Matt Glaeser has the second best GAA of goalkeepers in the playoffs at 0.99
- Eduardo Coudet and Mike Palacio each have four assists, with one of Palacio's coming in the playoffs
- Defenders Lance Laing and Toni St=E5hl were named to the 2011 NASL Best XI Team for their impressive performances for the Strikers this season.
- Longest Undefeated Streak: 7 games, Longest Losing Streak: 2 games
PLAYOFF NOTES - FTL:
- In the first match of the playoffs, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers ran out 5-0 winners over FC Edmonton at Lockhart Stadium on Saturday, October 1st.
- The five goal differential is the largest margin of victory achieved by the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, formerly Miami FC, since their first season in 2006.
- Abe Thompson scored the first hat-trick of the season for the Strikers, putting three goals past the Edmonton defense.
- His attacking partner and Strikers top scorer Brian Shriver recorded his third multiple goal game for the Strikers this season, adding two goals to his tally of six from the regular season.
Team Notes - PRI:
- The Puerto Rico Islanders finished the regular season in second place in the NASL with a record of 15 wins, seven ties, and six losses for a total of 52 points
- With just six losses, the Islanders were the hardest team to beat in the regular season
- The Islanders were undefeated at home in their 14 regular season games at JRL Stadium, winning nine, drawing five, and losing none.
- Dominican-international forward Jonathan Faña finished fourth in the NASL for goals scored and is the Islanders top-scorer this season with 11 goals to his name
- Attacking midfielder David Foley has scored seven goals and recorded a team-high six assists for the Islanders this season, leading to his inclusion in the 2011 NASL Best XI Team.
- Longest Undefeated Streak: 7 games, Longest Losing Streak: 2 games
PLAYOFF NOTES - PRI:
- The Islanders received a bye to the semifinals after finishing the regular season in second place
- Last season the Puerto Rico Islanders were the 2010 USSF D2 Pro League Champions, defeating the Carolina RailHawks in the finals.
All Strikers games are streamed live online at STRIKERS.com . Tickets are available by calling (954) 606-0400 or by going to STRIKERS.com . Follow the Strikers on facebook and twitter @FTLStrikers.
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North American Soccer League Stories from October 4, 2011
- Hassoun Camara Named Impact Most Valuable Player - Montreal Impact
- FC Tampa Bay Makes Roster Moves - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Fort Lauderdale Vs. Puerto Rico - Semifinal News and Notes - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Evan Bush Named NASL September Player of the Month - Montreal Impact
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