Strikers Earn Draw and Second Straight Shutout
Published on August 18, 2012 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers (8W-7T-8L) earned a 0-0 draw against the Puerto Rico Islanders (10W-5T-7L) at the newly renovated Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium on Saturday night in Puerto Rico. The Islanders and Strikers had several chances to score, but the goalkeepers for both sides we able to keep clean sheets for the full 90 minutes. Strikers goalkeeper Matt Glaeser made five saves and Puerto Rico's Richard Martin made four to stop the offenses.
"To come down here where it's a hard place to play and get our second shutout in a row is a big for our team," said Strikers head coach Daryl Shore. "Apart from the first 10 minutes, I think we dug in and did well to get the result we got."
Puerto Rico's Gregory Richardson and Jonathan Fana were very active early with Richardson recording four shots on the night and Fana setting up several teammates. The Islanders best chance may have been in the 26th minute when Nick Addlery collected the ball inside the top of the box and shot across his body toward the goal. Matt Glaeser was leaning the opposite direction, but managed to reverse his momentum and stick his right arm out to stop the ball from going in.
The Strikers played a very defensive match, but still had several chances to score. Just before the first half ended Mark Anderson sent a lobbed pass about 30 yards toward the Islanders net with forward Abe Thompson running under the ball alone with only Martin in front of him. Thompson tried to volley the ball after its first high bounce, but he was unable to connect cleanly with the ball and it went just wide of the left goal post.
The shutout is the second straight for the Strikers and the fifth of the season for Matt Glaeser who sees his GAA drop to 1.65 on the year.
Up next for the Strikers is the fourth and final game against the San Antonio Scorpions on Aug. 25 at 7:30p.m. EDT. The Strikers and their fans will attempt to set a new world record for the most people wearing sunglasses in the dark. The team will distribute free Strikers sunglasses to fans in attendance while supplies last, and fans are encouraged to bring their own shades to help set a new record at Lockhart Stadium. The current world record of 1,642 was set at Wrigley Field, in Chicago on July 6.
Then, on Sept. 1, the Strikers will have "Free Soccer Ball Night" against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The first 2,000 children, ages 16 and younger, will receive a free size 4 soccer ball featuring the Strikers logo. On Sept. 8 against the Puerto Rico Islanders in association with Metro PCS, fans will be able to attend the match for the same price as during the heyday of the original Strikers during the 1970s and 80s. General admission tickets will be $5 and Reserved seats will be just $7 in advance and $7 and $9, respectively on the day of the game.
North American Soccer League Stories from August 18, 2012
- Stars and Silverbacks Play out Scoreless Draw - Minnesota United FC
- RailHawks Win Crucial Match - North Carolina FC
- Silverbacks Battle to Scoreless Draw against Defending Champs - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Strikers Earn Draw and Second Straight Shutout - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Crucial points dropped to the RailHawks in the playoff race - FC Edmonton
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