Fort Lauderdale Win on Night Dedicated to Haiti Hurricane Relief

Published on October 12, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release


Lauderhill, FL (Wednesday) - On a breezy and rainy night in South Florida, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers kept the club's NASL Championship chances alive after defeating postseason-bound FC Edmonton 1-0 at Central Broward Stadium.

Before the start of the match, the Strikers dedicated a moment of silence for the victims of the Hurricane Matthew in Haiti and there was a relief effort with Jean-Marc Alexandre and Pascal Millien as well as former player Stephane Guillaume collecting supplies outside the stadium to help those affected by the disaster in their native country.

Fans who donated new or gently used clothing and shoes, non-perishable food items or toiletries received free entrance to the game tonight.

It took the home side just 11 minutes to score when Geison Moura's header from a well-placed cross by Julius James squeezed its way past Edmonton goalkeeper Tyson Farago, who did get a piece of the ball but not enough to deny the goalbound effort. Farago was making his first start of the season.

Geison started the match up front only three days after playing right back for the entire match at Carolina.

The Strikers dominated the first half and looked to increase the lead. Chances kept coming for Fort Lauderdale. The first by Maicon Santos with a shot wide in the 14th minute; Junior Sandoval also missed the frame wide with a low shot in the 21st; and goal scorer Geison created another opportunity with an individual effort slipping past the defender, but skipping the shot to the outside of the post.

With the win, the Strikers moved only three points behind fourth place Minnesota United FC, who occupy the last postseason position with 38 points. Rayo OKC's win over Carolina brought the Oklahoma-based side into a tie with Carolina.

After the break, the Strikers managed to defend well as Edmonton pressed in the attack looking for an equalizer.

Sandoval put a long range shot go through Farago's hands, but off target, in the 66th minute, and substitute Amauri made a turn at the edge of the box and drilled a low shot that was covered by the Edmonton goalkeeper.

A frenzy of half chances for Edmonton were denied late and Fort Lauderdale ran out with all three points. The win, Fort Lauderdale's first since September 10 puts the club right back into the postseason race.

Fort Lauderdale continues its postseason push on Saturday against Puerto Rico FC at Central Broward Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7pm ET.

Notes:

* Geison Moura who scored the lone goal tonight started as a defender on Sunday but against Edmonton started as an attacking players in the 4-3-3. * The goal was Geison's first since June 4 against New York. * Julius James recorded his first assist of the campaign on Geison's goal. * Both Pascal Millien and Junior Sandoval have played all five matches since signing with Fort Lauderdale on September 23. * The Strikers now sit just three points out of the final NASL postseason spot. * The win snapped a five-game winless streak for the Strikers. * Fort Lauderdale is in the midst of the three game homestand. * The Strikers will continue to wear pink kits for the remainder of October as part of the #DrivePink Campaign in cooperation with AutoNation and the Breast Cancer Research foundation.

Scoring Summary

1st 2nd FT

FTL 1 0 1

FCE 0 0 0

Scoring Summary 11' Moura (James)

Stats FTL-FCE Shots: 11-8 Shots on Target: 4-2

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North American Soccer League Stories from October 12, 2016


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