Strikers Can Move into Third Place Saturday in Minnesota
Published on June 22, 2012 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (June 22, 2012) - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers (4W-4T-4L) can overtake the Minnesota Stars (4W-5T-2L) when they travel to NSC Stadium in Blaine, Minn. on Saturday, June 23 at 8:30p.m. EDT. Fort Lauderdale is fourth in the NASL with 16 points, while Minnesota is just one point ahead in third at 17 points. The Strikers have a draw and a loss against Minnesota this season with both games coming at Lockhart Stadium. The Strikers are coming off a 1-0 win against FC Edmonton last Saturday thanks to a return to the scoring sheet for forward Andy Herron.
"We have to make sure we're staying organized defensively. In the second game we let our shape get away from us and lost our composure," said Strikers head coach Daryl Shore. "Offensively we have to be more clinical in front of the box. Just get good chances and good looks in front of net, and when you get those good looks, really capitalizing on them."
It is the third meeting of the season for the two teams with the first match a 0-0 draw and the Strikers falling 3-1 to the Stars at Lockhart Stadium on May 19th. It was the only loss at home for the Strikers this season (4W-2T-1L).
The Strikers co-leading scorers are Andy Herron and Mark Anderson with four goals each. Herron has started six games on the season and Anderson has started five games, but made 11 appearances. Herron showed a lot of emotion last week when Polo Morales went down with an injury during the match. Herron knelt over Morales and hugged him while trainers attended to the injury.
"He's not just a teammate. It's like he's a part of the family. You don't wish that to any player in the world," said Herron. "The best thing we can do is just go to Minnesota and try to win that game so he can feel good that we push him forward through it."
Morales suffered fractured tibia and fibula bones in his right leg. He underwent successful surgery and is currently recovering, but will be forced to miss the remainder of the season.
The Strikers remain the only team in the NASL without a win on the road (0W-2T-3L).
"We just want to win a game on the road, and I think we're ready," said Herron. "We know already what they are capable to do, so we just want to worry about ourselves. If we worry about ourselves I think we can get a good result."
The Strikers defense recorded their first shutout since the second game of the season against the Minnesota Stars. Captain Toni St=E5hl was back in defense for the Strikers since missing two games, one for a red card suspension.
"Minnesota is dangerous, especially on their home field, so we have to be really organized and tight on defense," said St=E5hl. "We have to have the mindset that we're not going to let anything in."
Minnesota Stars FC forward Amani Walker leads the Stars in goals (3) and assists (3). Simone Bracalello leads the team in shots (25), but has only converted two of those shots into goals.
STEWART HONORED BY NASL
On Monday, the NASL named Strikers defender Jack Stewart Defensive Player of the Week. Stewart made several key plays in central defense as the Strikers shutout FC Edmonton at Lockhart Stadium 1-0 on Saturday, June 16th.
"Jack had a really solid game helping to shut down a potent attack between Michael Cox, Shaun Saiko and Kyle Porter," said Head Coach Daryl Shore. "I thought he was the leader of our back line on the night when we got a much needed win and our first shutout in a long time."
The clean sheet for the Strikers was the first since the second week of the season against Minnesota. Stewart has played several different defensive positions for the Strikers and has played all 90 minutes in each of his 11 starts for the team. This is the first Defensive Player of the Week award for a Striker this season. Strikers' forward Andy Herron has won two Offensive Player of the Week awards.
INJURIES/OUT
- Defender Lance Laing (ankle) is expected to miss approximately four weeks.
- Forward Darnell King (concussion) has been medically cleared and returned to full practice with the team.
- Midfielder Yoximar Granado (quadriceps) is rehabbing, but is still unavailable.
- Midfielder Polo Morales (tib/fib fracture) is out for the remainder of the season
MATCH FACTS
- Strikers went 2W-3T-1L last season against FC Edmonton including the playoffs
- The Stars lead the season series with a win and a draw, with the last result a 3-1 Stars win on May 19
- Strikers are 1W-2D-1L all time against the Stars at NSC Stadium
- Strikers forward Andy Herron has scored 4 goals in his 6 starts for the Strikers
2012 STAT LEADERS
Goals: Andy Herron, Mark Anderson (4)
Assists: Walter Restrepo (5)
Shots: Mark Anderson (24)
Yellow cards: Toni St=E5hl, Walter Restrepo (3)
Red cards: Toni St=E5hl (2)
Saves: Matt Glaeser (47)
GAA: Matt Glaeser (1.50)
Minutes: Matt Glaeser (1080)
NEXT MATCH:
The Strikers return home to face the Carolina RailHawks on Saturday, June 30th at 7:30pm EDT. Contact info@strikers.com or call (954)606-0400 for more information. Follow the Strikers on twitter @FTLStrikers and like us on Facebook to get the latest news and updates from South Florida's professional soccer team. All Strikers NASL matches are streamed live on www.strikers.com/live.
North American Soccer League Stories from June 22, 2012
- Family 4Packs Available Now - FC Edmonton
- First-Place Scorpions Prepared for Road Test at Tampa Bay - San Antonio Scorpions
- Strikers Can Move into Third Place Saturday in Minnesota - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Eddies Ink Deal with Shaw TV and GolTV Canada - FC Edmonton
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