Minnesota Defeats Fort Lauderdale Despite Feisty Effort From
July 23, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers fell to Minnesota United FC at NSC Stadium in Blaine, Minnesota on Saturday by a 3-1 scoreline. The Strikers outshot Minnesota 10-7 and maintained more possession especially in the second half but fell for a fourth successive time in NASL play. With the loss, Fort Lauderdale remains in eighth place in the combined NASL table.
The Strikers set the tempo early in the match, but the momentum changed thanks to a 13th minute Loons goal which came against the run of play. The finish by Minnesota's JC Banks, came from about 30 yards out and put Fort Lauderdale on the back foot for the remainder of the first half. Christian Ramirez, the NASL goalscoring leader notched his 11th of the season. The Loons appeared comfortable entering halftime with a 2-0 lead.
The second half began with Fort Lauderdale pressing higher up the pitch and creating several scoring chances. The pressure finally paid off in minute 54 when Paulo Jr. calmly slotted home a Bryan Arguez through ball to cut the lead to 2-1. It was Paulo Jr.'s first goal in his second stint with the Strikers and ended a goalless streak of over 400 minutes for Fort Lauderdale in all competitions.
Second half substitute Manny Gonzalez made an instant impact for the Strikers helping to maintain possession and create multiple scoring opportunities for Fort Lauderdale. But Minnesota put the game away with a goal against the run of play in minute 70 by Ismaila Jome, a second half substitute. Minutes later Luis Felipe Fernandes was shown his second yellow card reducing Fort Lauderdale to ten men for the duration of match. Even after the sending off, the Strikers pushed for a second goal, with the best chance coming when Minnesota defender Justin Davis almost put the ball in the back of his own net while Maicon Santos was lurking at the back post on a Jose Angulo cross.
The Strikers return home to play in-state rival Jacksonville Armada FC at 7:00pm eastern time on Saturday July 30 at Lockhart Stadium.
North American Soccer League Stories from July 23, 2016
- Debutants Shine in Loons 3-1 Win - Minnesota United FC
- Puerto Rico FC Records First NASL Win to Headline Week 4 Results - NASL
- Cosmos Held to Draw in Florida - New York Cosmos
- Minnesota Defeats Fort Lauderdale Despite Feisty Effort From - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Indy Eleven Returns to Win Column, Top of NASL Standings - Indy Eleven
- Fiery Night Ends in 2-2 Draw against New York Cosmos - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- FC Edmonton Puts Forth Positive Effort in 1-0 Loss to Indy Eleven - FC Edmonton
- Fury FC Score Crucial Win Sinking Armada 2-0 - Ottawa Fury FC
- Scandinavian Trio's Debut Bright Spot in Armada's 2-0 Loss to Fury FC - Jacksonville Armada FC
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