Strikers Defeat MLS Side Orlando City SC in U.S. Open Cup Thriller
June 29, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. - Fort Lauderdale Strikers defender PC scored a spectacular last-minute winner in extra time to give the Strikers a 2-1 win over Major League Soccer (MLS) side Orlando City SC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night at Camping World Stadium.
The win advances the Strikers to the Open Cup Quarterfinals where they will face another MLS team, the Chicago Fire, on July 20 in Chicago. Of the eight teams remaining, Fort Lauderdale, who competes in the North American Soccer League (NASL), is the last non-MLS team in the competition.
Facing an MLS side for the second consecutive Open Cup match, the Strikers showed little fear of the opposition who was coming off a late 3-2 win against Toronto FC on Saturday. Strikers forward Jose Angulo opened the scoring just 12 minutes in, beating the Lions defense after a long lofted cross from Geison Moura. Angulo sprung the offside trap and calmly beat Orlando goalkeeper Earl Edwards in a one-on-one to give the Strikers an early 1-0 lead.
Kevin Molino equalized minutes later with an individual run after a ball-winning tackle, that beat four defenders and slotted the ball past Diego Restrepo for a goal. The match settled into a rhythm with both sides creating scoring chances to close out the first half. As the half wore on the Strikers maintained more possession and moved the ball well creating several scoring chances.
The 66th minute sending off of Orlando's Kevin Molino and Fort Lauderdale's Maicon Santos marred what was otherwise an open and entertaining game of soccer.
Following the sending offs the match was stretched but Fort Lauderdale continued to defend with discipline as the attack shifted in Orlando's favor. Strikers goalkeeper Diego Restrepo, a hero of the previous two Open Cup rounds, once again put in a stellar performance, making eight saves throughout the night.
The Strikers took the match to extra time for the third-consecutive Open Cup match.
Orlando looked the more likely side to score with a penalty kick shootout looming, but PC ensured the game wouldn't go down to penalties with a winner in the final second. The left-sided defender made an individual run past the Orlando defense, across the 18-yard box before firing a low, curling effort with his right foot beyond the outstretched arms of the keeper and into the back of the net.
Strikers Head Coach and General Manager Caio Zanardi described PC's winner, "PC is a tremendous player, quick and dangerous on the break. He's a guy who turned down several MLS sides to stay in Fort Lauderdale and he showed he can compete with quality on any level tonight."
The Strikers will now shift their attention to the league in the form of an #FLClasico, as the Strikers take on Miami FC on Saturday, July 2, at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale . Tickets to the match are on sale at Strikers.com.
North American Soccer League Stories from June 29, 2016
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