Strikers Battle FC Tampa Bay On Independence Day
Published on July 3, 2011 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers (3-8-2) and FC Tampa Bay (3-5-5) face off for the second time in less than a week when the Strikers travel to Al Lang Stadium for the first time this season on July 4 at 6:00p.m. The Strikers are undefeated in their last seven games (2-5-0) and have one loss on the road this season.
"We know it's going to be a tough game going to Tampa Bay," said head coach Daryl Shore. "We felt like we played well this past Wednesday. If we play that way in Tampa Bay we're hoping to come out of there with a positive result."
The Strikers defense has led the way during their unbeaten streak as they have allowed only four goals during those seven games and have produced four shutouts as well. A big reason for the Strikers success during the streak has been their ability to limit opposing offenses shot-taking ability. Over the last seven games, teams have averaged 3.3 shots on goal against the Strikers. The team has allowed only four goals during its undefeated streak, an average of just 0.57 goals per game.
The trip to Tampa Bay has become a Fourth of July tradition for the Strikers. The game last season, when the Strikers were known as Miami FC, finished in a 1-1 tie. Fort Lauderdale lost the season series (0-3-1) against FC Tampa Bay in 2010.
The Strikers have 17 points and are two points behind the Puerto Rico Islanders for third place in the NASL standings.
Last Time Out
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers tied 1-1 against FC Tampa Bay and extended their unbeaten streak to seven games (2-5-0) in front of 5,848 fans at Lockhart Stadium on Wednesday, June 29.
FC Tampa Bay scored first when forward Mike Ambersley chipped the ball over Strikers goalkeeper Matt Glaeser in the 68 minute. Midfielder Tsuyoshi Yoshitake made an excellent pass from behind the midfield line to set up Ambersley on the breakaway.
The Strikers trailed FC Tampa Bay 1-0 into second half stoppage time until a free kick goal from Eduardo "Chacho" Coudet tied the game. Coudet took the shot from just outside the 18-yard-box and FC Tampa Bay goalkeeper Jeff Attinella got a touch on it, but it deflected off his hands and into the goal. The goal was Coudet's fifth of the year, putting him in a tie for fourth place in the NASL.
June Boon
The Strikers finished the month of June undefeated in five games (2-3-0). Four of those games came at home with the lone road game at Montreal's Saputo Stadium.
The offense was the greatest beneficiary of those home games as the Strikers scored eight goals in their four games at Lockhart Stadium. Those eight goals came from seven different Strikers as Yoximar Granado, Brian Shriver, Cristian Arrieta, Jean Philippe Peguero, and Abe Thompson all scored their first goals of the season. Brian Shriver also had the team's first multi-goal game of the season against the NSC Minnesota Stars on June 11 when he scored twice.
Glaeser Defensive Player of the Week
Goalkeeper Matt Glaeser was named last week's NASL Defensive Player of the Week after making five saves against the Puerto Rico Islanders in the Strikers 1-1 draw on Saturday, June 25.
Glaeser leads the NASL in goals against average (0.63) and is tied for first in shutouts (4). He has allowed more than one goal in only one of his eight starts this season.
Glaeser is the second Striker to receive the award. Captain Aaron Hohlbein was also named defensive player of the week this season.
2011 STAT LEADERS
Appearances: Aaron Hohlbein, Martyn Lancaster (12)
Starts: Aaron Hohlbein (12)
Minutes: Aaron Hohlbein (1,069)
Goals: Eduardo Coudet (5)
Assists: Aaron Hohlbein, Cristian Arrieta, Eduardo Coudet (2)
Shots: Paulihno Le Petit (29)
Yellow cards: Eduardo Coudet (6)
Red cards: Lance Laing (1)
Saves: Matt Glaeser (24)
NEXT UP
The Strikers return home to face the Atlanta Silverbacks at Lockhart Stadium on Saturday, July 9, at 7:30p.m. After five of their last six games were at home, this game against Atlanta will be the first of only four home games in the next two months for the Strikers.
All Strikers games are streamed live online at STRIKERS.com. Tickets are available by calling (954) 606-0400 or by going to STRIKERS.com. Follow the Strikers on facebook and twitter @FTLStrikers.
North American Soccer League Stories from July 3, 2011
- Impact Blanked at Carolina - Montreal Impact
- RailHawks Light up Montreal 2-0, Win 10th Straight - North Carolina FC
- Strikers Battle FC Tampa Bay On Independence Day - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
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