Strikers End Season with a Tie at Home against FC Edmonton
November 2, 2013 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers finished tied 1-1 with FC Edmonton in front of 4,215 fans in the final match of the 2013 NASL season at Lockhart Stadium. The Strikers averaged a club record of 4,265 fans per game in 2013.
Edmonton substitute Massimo Mirabelli scored a second-half equalizer to cancel out Carlos Salazar's first-half opener from the penalty spot to give the visitors a point.
In just the seventh minute of the match, Gonzalo De Mujica's shot stuck the outstretched arm of Albert Watson and the Strikers were awarded a penalty kick.
Salazar stepped up to spot and finished the chance with aplomb, chipping the ball down the middle as goalkeeper John Smits dove to his left. It was Salazar's third goal from the penalty spot and his third goal in as many games.
Before the game started the Strikers were dealt a blow. Leading-scorer Martin Nu̮̱ez was forced out of the starting lineup after picking up an injury in the pregame warm-up. Hosman Ramos stepped in to take his place in the starting lineup.
Ramos and De Mujica, making their first starts under Coach G-nter Kronsteiner, impressed in the first half. The midfield pair created chances for Paulo Jr. and Yaikel P̮̩rez to test Smits in the Edmonton goal.
In the opposite goal Fort Lauderdale goalkeeper Richard SÃÆánchez was untested in the first half, with the Eddies taking just three shots, none of which were on target.
Both sides came out after the break looking for a goal. Edmonton's Corey Hertzog hammered a volley wide and at the other end Ramos went close with a chip over the bar.
The turning point of the match came in the 65th minute of the match when Strikers midfielder Gonzalo De Mujica was shown a straight red card for his reaction to an Edmonton challenge.
Defending the narrow lead became harder for the Strikers after the send-off as Edmonton pushed for an equalizer. Rafael Alves and Richard Sanchez came up big to deny a pair of chances from Corey Hertzog and Massimo Mirabelli in the 71st minte.
But Mirabelli would find the breakthrough just four minutes later on a swift counter attacking move. The Eddies won the ball in midfield and quickly countered down the middle through Daryl Fordyce. The forward squared the ball to his left for Mirabelli to finish through the legs of the onrushing Sanchez.
Both teams pressed for a winner after the goal. Mirabelli and Mortotsi went close for the visitors and Sanchez made another pair of saves.
Fan Appreciation Night
After the match, the Strikers players made their way to the stadium's Fan Zone to meet and greet the fans as part of Fan Appreciation Night. Fans were able to enjoy live music while they took pictures with and got autographs from the Strikers squad.
North American Soccer League Stories from November 2, 2013
- Strikers End Season with a Tie at Home against FC Edmonton - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Minnesota United Sets Record in 6-4 Victory - Minnesota United FC
- NASL Week 14 Summary - NASL
- Rowdies Close 2013 Season with a Loss against Minnesota - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- FC Edmonton and the Strikers play to the Eddies 11th 1-1 draw of 2013 season - FC Edmonton
- Silverbacks Fall to Cosmos in Final Regular Season Game - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Silverbacks Fall to Cosmos in Final Regular Season Game - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Scorpions' Season Comes to An End in Carolina - San Antonio Scorpions
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