Strikers Come up Short in Minnesota
Published on October 10, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (October 10, 2015) - A late comeback attempt fell short as the Fort Lauderdale Strikers dropped a 2-1 decision to Minnesota United FC in North American Soccer League (NASL) action Saturday night at NSC Stadium in Blaine, Minn. PC struck for the visitors to spark a second-half rally, but the equalizer eluded the Strikers as they looked to erase two Loons' first-half goals.
The loss, coupled with Tampa Bay's late equalizer to tie Ottawa 1-1 earlier Saturday, puts the Red & Gold one point out of a postseason spot with a game in hand. With the victory, Minnesota claimed a spot in the The Championship, the NASL's four-team postseason tournament. The hosts extended their unbeaten streak to 11 matches in claiming the season series with the Strikers, two games to one.
Minnesota's Pablo Campos opened the scoring in the sixth minute when he stroked in a rebound after goalkeeper David Meves could only palm Justin Davis' low cross into the path of the forward.
Campos created the Loons' second goal when his long run into the box and square pass to Daniel Mendes allowed the Brazilian to slot the ball past Meves.
Meves made his first start in net for Fort Lauderdale since May 27, when he fractured his jaw late in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match at the Charleston Battery.
After heading into the halftime interval two goals down, Strikers head coach Günter Kronsteiner made a number of tactical changes to his side -- notably switching formations to a 4-4-2 -- to open up the Minnesota defense. The substitutions, and change in shape, resulted in a more attacking second half for Fort Lauderdale.
PC pulled the Strikers back into the match with his fifth goal of the year in the 78th minute. The Brazilian midfielder played the ball to Stefano on the left wing before surging into the box to sweep the return ball over the head of goalkeeper Sammy Ndjock and into the roof of the net.
The Brazilian was playing in the center of midfield as the Strikers were without physical midfielder James Marcelin, who scored a day earlier while playing an international match for his native Haiti. Also absent for the visitors: Defender Jordan Graye, who remains out with a broken nose and playmaker Gabriel, who is recovering from a lower-body injury.
The loss drops Fort Lauderdale's overall NASL record to 9-7-10 (W-T-L).
Fort Lauderdale returns home next Saturday (October 17) to host the Carolina RailHawks, followed by a match on Wednesday, October 21 against the San Antonio Scorpions to conclude the home portion of its season. The Strikers will then go on the road at Indy Eleven (Saturday, October 24) followed by the regular-season finale at Jacksonville Armada FC (Sunday, November 1).
North American Soccer League Stories from October 10, 2015
- Fury Extend Road Unbeaten Streak in Tampa Bay - Ottawa Fury FC
- Minnesota Joins New York, Ottawa on List of Postseason-Bound Clubs - NASL
- Armada Fall 3-0 to RailHawks on the Road - Jacksonville Armada FC
- RailHawks Impress at Home, Earn 3-0 Victory over Jacksonville Armada FC - North Carolina FC
- Minnesota United Secures Spot in Postseason with 2-1 Win - Minnesota United FC
- Strikers Come up Short in Minnesota - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Rowdies Earn Crucial Point with Gutsy 1-1 Draw against Ottawa - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Indy Eleven Downed 1-2 by San Antonio Scorpions - Indy Eleven
- Scorpions Beat Indy Eleven 2-1 to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive - San Antonio Scorpions
- FCE Match Preview vs. New York Cosmos - FC Edmonton
- Delegation from Sister City Cologne, Germany, to Attend Tonight's Indy Eleven Game - Indy Eleven
- Get Through the Bye Week Blues with Kickabout - Atlanta Silverbacks
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