Strikers Fall 2-1 at Indy Eleven
October 24, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. (October 24, 2015) - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers dropped a 2-1 decision Saturday night at Michael A. Carroll Stadium in North American League Soccer (NASL) action.
The loss, coupled with the Tampa Bay Rowdies 1-0 home win over the Carolina RailHawks, drops the Strikers into fifth place in the chase for the fourth and final berth in The Championship -- NASL's four-team postseason tournament. Tampa Bay's win gives them 39 points, one more than Fort Lauderdale in the NASL Combined Standings, with one match remaining in both teams' schedules.
Tampa Bay will play at New York Cosmos next Saturday. The Strikers fortunes will be in the hands of the Cosmos since the Strikers postseason hopes can only remain alive with a New York win or draw in advance of Fort Lauderdale's season-ending match Sunday afternoon at Jacksonville Armada FC.
Fort Lauderdale couldn't overcome two first half goals Saturday in Indianapolis despite pulling one back in the second half and creating several near-miss opportunities late in the contest.
The game's opening goal came in the 19th minute when Indy Eleven midfielder Don Smart's attempt from the top of the box skipped past goalkeeper David Meves. It marked the first goal the Strikers conceded in 215 minutes.
Indy Eleven doubled their lead late in the first half on a set piece. Dylan Mares delivered a precision cross to an unmarked Brian Brown, whose header from inside the six-yard box found the back of the net.
Jose Angulo, one of two halftime substitutions by head coach Günter Kronsteiner, pulled one back 15 minutes after coming on. The forward snared an Indy Eleven attempted clearance at the top of the box and rifled a left-footed strike past goalkeeper Kristian Nicht. Angulo's sixth goal on the year breathed new life into the Red & Gold, sparking a second-half rally.
Another second-half substitution, Dani Sánchez, had Fort Lauderdale's next best opportunity: In the 64th minute, Sánchez' chip from near midfield forced the 6'5" goalkeeper Nicht to make a fingertip save to keep the game from being knotted up at two.
The two goals given up ended a two-match run in which the Strikers didn't allow a goal. The loss gives Indy Eleven the season series, two games to one.
North American Soccer League Stories from October 24, 2015
- Tampa Bay Win, Fort Lauderdale Loss Sets up Dramatic Final Weekend - NASL
- RailHawks Fall 1-0 at Tampa Bay Rowdies - North Carolina FC
- Minnesota United Gets 1-0 Win in Front of a Sellout Crowd at NSC Stadium - Minnesota United FC
- Indy Eleven Scores Early, Survives Late in 2-1 Victory over Fort Lauderdale - Indy Eleven
- Rowdies Take Control of Playoff Race with 1-0 Win over Carolina - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Strikers Fall 2-1 at Indy Eleven - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Silverbacks Surge into Minnesota #MNUvATLâ=9A=BD - Atlanta Silverbacks
- FCE Match Preview vs. Jacksonville Armada FC - FC Edmonton
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