Stefano Brace Powers Strikers to Shutout Win at Edmonton
August 23, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Fort Lauderdale Strikers vs. FC Edmonton
(Fort Lauderdale Strikers)
EDMONTON, Alberta (August 23, 2015) - Fort Lauderdale played stingy team defense while Stefano Pinho did all of the scoring with two second-half goals to give the Strikers a 2-0 win over FC Edmonton in North American Soccer League (NASL) action Sunday afternoon at Clarke Stadium.
After a scoreless first half in which each team had just two shots on goal, Stefano opened the scoring in the 59th minute with a clinical shot on a penalty kick. The Brazilian's left-foot attempt sailed into the netting in the right-hand corner after Eddies' goalkeeper Tyson Farago dove left.
The penalty came after Edmonton defender Kareem Moses was whistled for a foul after making contact with Stefano on a late challenge.
The 24-year-old forward put the game away and secured a brace some 25 minutes later when he took a centering pass from Shawn Chin and placed it into the back of the net after an initial tap. His stellar performance comes after receiving NASL Team of Week honors and his goal in the win against Tampa Bay was voted NASL Play of the Week.
Goalkeeper Josh Ford earned earned his first clean sheet as a Striker while making three saves. Ford's clean sheet gives the Strikers their second this year, the first coming on May 2 when Fort Lauderdale played Atlanta to a 0-0 draw on May 2 with David Meves in net.
Following the match, Strikers' Head Coach Günter Kronsteiner stated that the opening goal was a key to victory: "When you are lucky enough to score the first goal, it somehow will affect the other team. It worked out well for us."
Sunday's win moves the Strikers to 9-6-4 (W-T-L) all time versus the Eddies and improves their record in Edmonton to 4-3-3, avenging a loss to the Canadian side on April 19. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw last month at Lockhart Stadium.
The Red & Gold win extends its unbeaten streak to three matches while it snaps a three-game unbeaten streak for Edmonton.
Fort Lauderdale team captain Iván Guerrero received the start, marking his 70th match played for the Strikers. The 37 year old played the entire match despite leaving the contest briefly in the 64th minute after making contact with an Edmonton player and tumbling to the ground.
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The Strikers return home to face Indy Eleven at Lockhart Stadium on Saturday, August 29, at Lockhart Stadium at 7:30 p.m. EDT. Tickets are available at Strikers.com.
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 Fort Lauderdale Strikers vs. FC Edmonton |
North American Soccer League Stories from August 23, 2015
- Strikers Hand Eddies Third Defeat of Fall Season - FC Edmonton
- Stefano Brace Powers Strikers to Shutout Win at Edmonton - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
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