Strikers Fall to Minnesota
September 26, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (September 26, 2015) - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers gave up five goals for the first time in the NASL Modern Era in dropping a 5-2 decision to Minnesota United FC Saturday night at Lockhart Stadium.
Jose Angulo secured his second brace of the season, opening and closing the scoring with goals in the 7th and 88th minutes. The goals, Angulo's fourth and fifth of the year, came in his first start since May 16, while his first brace came at Ottawa on April 25. Angulo nearly grabbed a hat trick, but his 89th minute effort was ruled offside.
In between Angulo's goals, it was all Loons: Ibson scored a pair of goals and Christian Ramirez scored a goal and provided two assists for the visitors. Kalif Alhassan and Daniel Mendes scored one each as United extended its unbeaten streak to nine straight matches.
Minnesota's win was the first against Fort Lauderdale in three matches that includes the 2014 Championship Semifinal, which Fort Lauderdale won on penalty kicks to advance to The Championship.
Fort Lauderdale took the field with a makeshift defense without the services of regulars PC (serving a red card suspension), Jordan Graye (broken nose), and Iván Guerrero (hamstring). Fabian Kling (back) was also unavailable.
"In this league, especially against the better teams, you have problems (with three of four defenders out)," said Strikers Head Coach Günter Kronsteiner. "Still, we were holding up well in the first half."
Saturday's match, in front of 2,903 fans, concludes a three-game homestand for Fort Lauderdale. The Strikers will play next Saturday (October 3) at San Antonio, followed by a trip to Minnesota the following Saturday (October 10).
Despite outshooting Minnesota 15 to 14 and placing nine shots on goal to the United's six, it was the Loons that capitalized on nearly each of their prime chances.
One bright spot on the night for the Red & Gold: By virtue of Jacksonville Armada FC's 2-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies, the Strikers will retain the Coastal Cup for a second straight year. Created by supporters groups in 2011, the Cup is awarded to the Florida-based side with the most points in head-to-head competition.
First Half
1' Minnesota United FC receives the kickoff under partly cloudy skies and 84-degree temperatures. Fort Lauderdale is wearing its primary red and gold hoop kits.
3' Stefano with the crossing pass from the left side to Angulo is snared by Ndjock as he and Angulo collide
7' FTL GOAL 1-0 Gabriel sends a low cross from the right, and Jose Angulo taps it in for his fourth goal on the season, and first since scoring against Minnesota on June 13. The goal comes in Angulo's first start since May 16.
11' Alhassan's free kick bounces up into Josh Ford's hands
12' MNU GOAL 1-1 Christian Ramirez notches the equalizer after a feed from Daniel Mendes. Ramirez' goal is his 10th on this year and ninth in the NASL Fall Season
17' Gabriel's cross on the corner kick is fended off by the Loons as they clear
18' Angulo's shot from more than 25 yards out sails right of the post
19' Ramirez' header is off the mark.
26' Angulo brings down the over-the-shoulder pass, cuts back, and his shot from just inside the 18-yard box is corralled by Ndjock
27' MNU GOAL 1-2 Strikers turn the ball over just outside the box and Kalif Alhassan makes them pay. He loops a ball over Ford from the left corner of the box to give Minnesota the lead. Ramirez is credited with the assist.
29' Ramirez threatens again, this time with a high lob shot from way out
31' Angulo with a powerful header after a cross from the right is handled by Ndjock
35' Ramirez centering pass just inside the box is poked away by James Marcelin
36' Angulo lobs it to Stefano and the Brazilian's low, hard shot to the far post is stopped by Ndjock
38' Walter Ramirez slips through the left side, but it tripped up by Mendes
42' Minnesota's Tiago Calvano receives the first booking of the night, picking up a yellow card after a reckless tackle on Marlon Freitas
44' MNU GOAL 1-3. Daniel Mendes slots it past Ford after a ball over the top from Ibson puts the winger alone on goal with the goalkeeper
45' The fourth official signals for two minutes of stoppage time
45+2' Strikers head into the locker room trailing the Loons 3-1
Second Half
46' The Strikers have the kick off to start the second half
52' Shawn Chin receives the Strikers' first caution of the night
54' Walter Ramirez issued a caution after hauling down Kevin Venegas on the right flank
58' Stefano pulls Ndjock out front of goal but the Brazilian's off-balance shot at the open net is off the mark
61' MNU GOAL 1-4 Minnesota beats the offside trap as Ibson taps it into an open net after Ramirez pulls Ford out and lays a square pass to the Brazilian. It's Ramirez' second assist on the night.
63' Alejandro Vela comes on for Alhassan
66' Strikers first substitution of the match: one local talent for another as Manny Gonzalez comes on for Shawn Chin
68' Ramirez centers the ball for Ibson, and the midfielder's header goes over the crossbar
70' Jonathan Borrajo is issued a yellow card
71' Stefano breaks loose on the right side and dribbles deep, but his hard shot is snared by Ndjock who went right and into the air to make the save
72' Dani Sánchez comes in for Marlon Freitas
73' JC Banks enters the game, replacing Mendes
75' Angulo all alone with the ball on the right side on the counter, but he can't keep it in play
78' The Loons make their final substitution: Pablo Campos comes on for Ramirez
81' Stefano shot inside the box to the far post is just a bit wide
84' Gonzalez with the shot from deep is wrangled by Ndjock
87' Ibson deftly scoots around the Strikers' defense and nets his second score of the match. Banks is credited with the assist.
88' FTL GOAL 2-5 Angulo scores his second of the night with a cracker from the top of the box. Stefano picked up the assist with a volleyed pass to his teammate on the edge of the 18.
90' Two minutes of stoppage time added on
90+1' Angulo denied a hat trick by the offside flag after the forward tucks away a rebound from Manny Gonzalez' drive to the near post.
90+2' The final whistle blows with the Strikers suffering a 5-2 defeat
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North American Soccer League Stories from September 26, 2015
- Ottawa, Minnesota Notch Emphatic Road Wins to Headline Week 13 Results - NASL
- Chaotic Closing Splits Points Between Silverbacks, Scorpions - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Fury Claim Top Spot in NASL with 3-1 Win over RailHawks - Ottawa Fury FC
- Armada Victorious over Rowdies, 2-0, in Dade's Debut - Jacksonville Armada FC
- Ottawa Fury FC Earns First Win at WakeMed Soccer Park, Beat RailHawks 3-1 - North Carolina FC
- Minnesota United Scores Five Straight Goals to Defeat Strikers - Minnesota United FC
- Strikers Fall to Minnesota - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Playoff Push Takes Center Stage in San Antonio Tonight - Atlanta Silverbacks
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