Stoppage Time Penalty Hands Strikers Loss at Lockhart on Saturday
Published on June 15, 2013 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers (2-2-6, 8 points) had a man advantage, but it wasn't enough as the Atlanta Silverbacks (5-2-2, 17 points) converted a penalty kick in stoppage time to earn a 1-0 victory at historic Lockhart Stadium on Saturday in front of 4,463 fans. Atlanta's Richie Menjivar hit the game-winner as he slotted his penalty to his right as Strikers' keeper Matt Glaeser dove in the other direction.
The Strikers will now prepare for the opportunity to play one of the top teams in Brazil when Cruzeiro Esporte Clube comes to Lockhart Stadium on Sunday, June 23.
The match began with both sides getting a lot of shots, but neither team was able to take advantage and break through to score. The best chance of the half fell to the Strikers' Darnell King who was one on one against Atlanta goalkeeper Joe Nasco after a through ball from Carlos Salazar. Nasco made a huge save to deny King the game's first goal.
Silverbacks' captain Martyn Lancaster was the only player to go into the referee's book in the first half, after being issued a yellow card in the 19th minute of the match. Both goalkeepers made a pair of saves in the first half. The Strikers lead the shot count with six against the Silverbacks four.
At the start of the second half, the Strikers brought on Walter Restrepo for an offensive spark, and his pace was able to produce some early chances. The match turned in the 63rd minute when the Silverbacks' Danny Barrera went down with the Strikers' Pecka. Barrera struck Pecka with kick after they went down and the referee issued Barrera a straight red card.
With the Strikers up a man, both Aly Hassan and Jahbari Willis were brought into the match to add some big targets up front. In the end though, it was Atlanta's subs who were the difference makers. Substitutes Kellen Gulley and Horace James combined on a play as Gulley played a diagonal ball into the penalty area to James. Glaeser sprinted off his line to try to beat James to the ball, but James touched the ball first and Glaeser tripped up James to draw the penalty kick.
Tickets for all upcoming home games are available for purchase online at www.strikers.com or by calling 954-606-0400. Call or visit Strikers.com for more information. Follow the Strikers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
North American Soccer League Stories from June 15, 2013
- Stoppage Time Penalty Hands Strikers Loss at Lockhart on Saturday - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- NASL Week 11 Summary - NASL
- Silverbacks Defeat the Strikers with 10 Men - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Rowdies Give up Late Goal, Lose 2-1 to Scorpions - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Scorpions Earn First Road Win; Beat Rowdies 2-1 - San Antonio Scorpions
- First-Place RailHawks Return to NASL Action against FC Edmonton - North Carolina FC
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