Late Strikers Surge Falls Short in 2-1 Loss to Santa Fe
Published on January 17, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
BOCA RATON, Fla. - Strikers midfielder PC scored from a free kick with ten minutes remaining to spark a late surge as the Fort Lauderdale Strikers fell 2-1 to Colombian side Independiente Santa Fe on Sunday evening at FAU Stadium to close out the club's participation in the Florida Cup. Fort Lauderdale couldn't muster the equalizer to cancel out first half strikes from Róbinson Zapata and Leyvin Balanta.
The match got off on the wrong foot for the Strikers as Santa Fe was awarded a penalty kick in just the third minute of the match. Trialist Andre Skiadas was adjudged to have tripped a player running into the box. Colombian goalkeeper Zapata took the spot kick, sending his counterpart Bruno Cardoso the wrong direction to open the scoring.
Santa Fe missed a penalty in second half as Oscar Perez fired over the bar from 12 yards out in the 78th minute. A penalty shout for the Strikers fell on deaf ears as PC took a tumble in the box toward the end of the first half.
Fort Lauderdale went close to equalizing in the sixth minute on an Adrianinho freekick. The midfielder's curling ball to the far post was redirected toward goal by a teammate, but was cleared off the line by a Santa Fe defender.
The Lions doubled their lead shortly after the half-hour mark when Balanta pounced on a rebound after Strikers goalkeeper Bruno stopped Carlos Ibargüen on a one-on-one.
Leading 2-0, Santa Fe took to the pitch for the second half with an entirely different eleven. The Strikers made just one change at the half, swapping one trialist for another as Paulo Cesar replaced Skiadas. Several other players were introduced throughout as head coach and general manager tested his roster.
Geison Moura had two near misses for the Strikers just seconds apart. First, the winger struck a full volley from the top of the box that was denied by the outstretched fingers of the goalkeeper. His header on the ensuing corner kick in the 59th minute struck the crossbar at the far post.
The Strikers got the breakthrough they needed with ten minutes remaining in the match on a set piece goal courtesy of PC from more than 25 yards out. The goal sparked a resurgence as the Strikers battled for the equalizing goal.
Fort Lauderdale hosts Brazilian side Corinthians at Lockhart Stadium on Saturday, January 23, and Ukrainian outfit FC Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday, January 26. Lockhart Stadium will also be the venue for Wednesday's contest between Fluminense and Internacional in the final match of the Florida Cup.
North American Soccer League Stories from January 17, 2016
- Late Strikers Surge Falls Short in 2-1 Loss to Santa Fe - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
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