Strikers Extend Unbeaten Run to 6 Games with Win over Indy Eleven
September 10, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
LAUDERHILL, Fla.- The Fort Lauderdale Strikers stretched their run of unbeaten games to six matches after recording a 2-1 victory over the NASL Spring Champions Indy Eleven at Central Broward Stadium.
Due to other results around the league the Strikers havea moved into 5th place in the combined NASL table passing Tampa Bay and Carolina, both of whom drew in their matches Saturday night. Minnesota's 1-0 loss to the New York Cosmos drew Fort Lauderdale within five points of the Loons for the final NASL postseason spot. The Strikers have a game in hand on Minnesota.
Maicon Santos' sixth goal of the 2016 campaign proved to be a winner when he turned an Indy defender in the box and finished with a precise shot to the far post in the 67th minute.
Paulo Jr. scored in the 19th minute to notch Fort Lauderdale's first goal in 211 minutes dating back to Amauri's spectacular bicycle kick goal in the 3-1 win over Ottawa on August 20th -- the first match at the new home at Central Broward Stadium. Paulo Jr. scored after a tremendous solo run on the right flank that was started from inside Indy's midfield, finishing with a quality strike to the far post.
"I spoke about the importance of this match to the guys all week. We needed the three points to stay in [the chance to make the playoffs]. It is a great result for us, we are undefeated in 6 matches. Next match against Rayo OKC is important for us. It will be a tough game but we know we must take responsibility," said Strikers coach Caio Zanardi.
Fort Lauderdale's Bruno had his streak of not allowing a goal halted after 330 minutes when Indy's Justin Braun headed one past the 31-year-old goalkeeper with two minutes to go to make the conclusion of the match nervy.
While Indy pushed for the equalizer in the remaining minutes, the Strikers were able to hold off the late pressure to secure the three points.
Earlier the Strikers had a few other scoring chances as Jose Angulo and Ramon Nunez each had excellent opportunities to double Fort Lauderdale's lead. Indy Eleven had opportunities as well to equalize before Maicon's strike but could not find the back of the net. Nunez in particular was influential in the Strikers build-up play throughout the match.
"Ramon [Nunez] played a great game and is a brilliant player for the team. He has grown a lot at this club since he came. We know he is still coming back from injury and we cannot push him. We are slowly easing him back into playing a full game. It is a step-by-step process and we must be patient to not make the injury worse," Zanardi said.
The game was a physical affair with Indy Eleven being issued four cautions, and the Strikers getting two. After the game ended tempers flared a bit and referee Mathieu Bordeau showed Strikers defender Julius James a red card for dissent.
After playing the last four games at their new ground and collecting eight points from them, the Strikers hit the road for a game at Rayo OKC on Sunday, September 18th.
North American Soccer League Stories from September 10, 2016
- Railhawks Extend Home Unbeaten Streak With Draw Against The Ottawa Fury - North Carolina FC
- League-Leading Cosmos Top Loons to Headline Saturday Night Results - NASL
- Strikers Extend Unbeaten Run to 6 Games with Win over Indy Eleven - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- FC Edmonton Plays Host to Miami FC in Crucial Fall Fixture - FC Edmonton
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