Strikers Come from Behind to Extend Unbeaten Streak
Published on August 16, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Strikers came from a goal behind to draw the Atlanta Silverbacks 1-1 at Lockhart Stadium. FafÃÂ Picault's seventh goal of the year canceled out Jaime Chavez' opener as the Strikers extended their unbeaten streak to five games.
The Strikers managed 21 shots on the night, but a stellar performance by Silverbacks goalkeeper Eric Ati helped his side earn a vital point on the road. Ati finished with 12 saves on the night.
The match didn't start as planned for the Strikers, who were beaten on a swift Silverbacks' counter attack in the seventh minute. A long ball from Junior Burgos found Jaime Chavez in space who poked the ball past Kamil Contofalsky to open the scoring.
Fort Lauderdale went on the attack and pushed for an equalizer with Martin Nuñez and FafàPicault forcing Eric Ati into two first-half quality saves.
Atlanta responded with chances of their own to try to double their lead. Chavez went close with a header onto the roof of the net. Minutes later, Contofalsky was called into action to deny a long-range strike from Ryan Roushandel and a free kick from Burgos.
The Strikers came out after the halftime interval looking to score early but were denied by two more brilliant saves by Ati. The goalkeeper first parried a close-range effort from Nuñez before keeping out a powerful header from Rafael Alves on the ensuing corner kick.
Fort Lauderdale kept pushing for a goal and found the equalizer in the 62nd minute of the match. Nuñez beat his man on the left and squared a low ball across the goal for Picault to score his seventh goal of the year, tying the game at 1-1.
There was nothing Ati could do on the goal, but the Atlanta keeper continued to produce saves as Fort Lauderdale searched for the winning goal.
A great chance came with just ten minutes remaining as substitute Aly Alberto Hassan was put through on goal by Picault. Ati got the better of the one-on-one chance, getting a piece of the ball and deflecting it wide for a corner kick.
The Strikers had a late penalty shout fall on deaf ears in the 86th minute. Picault looked to have been brought down inside the box. There was more late drama when substitute Walter Ramirez was shown a straight red card in the final minute of the match.
The Strikers next travel to Edmonton on Sunday, August 24th to take on Edmonton FC at Clarke Stadium. The Strikers next home match is on August 29th when they take on the San Antonio Scorpions at Lockhart Stadium at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at www.strikers.com or by calling 954-606-0400.
North American Soccer League Stories from August 16, 2014
- Indy loses 5-1 - Indy Eleven
- Red-Hot Minnesota United FC Tops #Fight4Fall Table After Exciting - NASL
- RailHawks Lose Heartbreaker to FC Edmonton - North Carolina FC
- Strikers Come from Behind to Extend Unbeaten Streak - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Minnesota United Extends Unbeaten Streak to Ten Games with Dominant 5-1 Victory over Indy Eleven - Minnesota United FC
- Tampa Bay Rowdies Notch Big 3-1 Win over New York Cosmos - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Eddies Earn Another Three Points against RailHawks - FC Edmonton
- Silverbacks Begin Three-Game Road Stretch in Fort Lauderdale Tonight - Atlanta Silverbacks
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