Postseason Race to be Decided Among Florida Rivals in Final Weekend

October 27, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release


Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Tuesday, October 27, 2015) - With one regular-season match remaining, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers' two Florida foes will play a hand in their postseason fate.

The fourth-place Tampa Bay Rowdies currently have 39 points, one more than the Strikers in the Combined Standings. The two sides are competing for the fourth and final spot in The Championship -- the North American League Soccer League's (NASL) four-team postseason tournament. The Strikers have a 10 goal advantage (+8 to -2) in goal differential over the Rowdies.

The Rowdies travel to face the New York Cosmos on Saturday night at 7 p.m. EDT at James Shuart Stadium, while the Strikers play Jacksonville Armada FC on Sunday at 4 p.m. EST at Community First Park in Jacksonville, Fla.

If Tampa Bay wins Saturday night, the Strikers will fail to earn a spot in The Championship, regardless of the outcome of Sunday's match.

Fort Lauderdale can secure the remaining postseason berth under the following scenarios:

A Rowdies loss or tie Saturday and a Strikers win

A Rowdies loss Saturday and a Strikers tie or win

Fort Lauderdale, who lost last year's Championship Final 2-1 at San Antonio, is looking to qualify for postseason play for the fourth time in five NASL Modern Era seasons. The Strikers made the postseason in 2011, 2012 and 2014.

Sunday's Strikers-Armada match will be broadcast live locally on SFL-TV and nationally on ESPN3. Fort Lauderdale is unbeaten against Jacksonville in two prior meetings, defeating the Armada 2-1 in their inaugural game on April 11, followed by a 2-0 win on September 16. Sunday's tilt will be the first time the two sides will meet in an official game in Jacksonville.

Fort Lauderdale retained the Coastal Cup -- the annual competition between Florida-based NASL teams -- by virtue of their head-to-head series against the Rowdies and Armada FC in 2015. The Strikers won the Cup for the first time in 2014.

Ottawa Fury FC, the New York Cosmos and Minnesota United FC have secured the top three spots in The Championship. Other than the No. 4 seed, the only item to be settled is the top two seeds. Fall Season Champion Ottawa holds the top spot with 55 points, while the Spring Season Champion Cosmos remain in striking distance with 53 points in the Combined Standings. Minnesota cannot improve upon its No. 3 seed.

Red & Gold leading scorer Stefano Pinho can claim the NASL Golden Boot award, given annually to the player that finishes the year with the most goals (Spring and Fall Seasons combined). The Brazilian forward has 16 goals, four more than Minnesota United FC's Christian Ramirez. Stefano leads the team in assists with seven.

Stefano is also a top contender for the Golden Ball (MVP) award. Voted on by invited media and fans, the award will be presented to the league's best player in November. PC is also in the running for the Golden Ball, as well as Young Player of the Year alongside compatriot Marlon Freitas. Fans can also vote online for Strikers' head coach Günter Kronsteiner for Coach of the Year.

Fan voting on NASL.com wraps up today at 5:00 p.m. EDT.

Fort Lauderdale Head Coach Günter Kronsteiner on preparation for this weekend's match:

"First of all, we have to work on fixing the mistakes we made in the last game against Indy Eleven. It goes beyond tactics and it includes the will to win."

Kronsteiner on the Strikers chances of securing a postseason spot:

"This is what makes this league so interesting: We can compete with everybody, and you can win at home and win away, but you need to have the stronger squad on that day."



North American Soccer League Stories from October 27, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central