Strikers Fall to Tampa Bay; Will Face Edmonton in Playoffs
Published on September 24, 2011 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers (9-11-8, 38 points) lost 2-0 against FC Tampa Bay (11-8-9, 41 points) tonight at Al Lang Stadium. The Strikers will finish the regular season in fourth place in the NASL and will face FC Edmonton in the first round of the playoffs at Lockhart Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 7:30p.m.
"Credit goes to Tampa Bay," said head coach Daryl Shore, "They took advantage of being a man up and deserved the game."
Tampa Bay's first and game-winning goal came at the 68 minute mark when Shane Hill found Keith Savage all alone behind the Strikers defense. Savage tucked his shot past Matt Glaeser to give FC Tampa Bay the 1-0 lead.
The goal came 17 minutes after Strikers defender Cristian Arrieta was shown a straight red card for a challenge against FC Tampa Bay's Tsuyoshi Yoshitake. The ejection forced the Strikers to play a man down the rest of the way and Tampa Bay was able to take advantage. FC Tampa Bay's second goal came in second half stoppage time when Matt Clare was able to control a long pass and fend off his defender long enough to score his second goal of the season.
The Strikers will look to move past this set back as they return home for their first playoff game since 2006. FC Edmonton will be their opponent for the fifth time this season. Fort Lauderdale is 2-1-1 against Edmonton this season with a win and a loss at Lockhart Stadium.
"Edmonton is a tough team who we've had four close games against," said Shore. "It will be a tough challenge, but one that we will be ready for."
The Montreal Impact were able to defeat the Atlanta Silverbacks, but NSC Minnesota kept them out of the playoffs by defeating the Carolina RailHawks. So the other first round match-up will be the Stars traveling south to face FC Tampa Bay at Al Lang Stadium.
The Strikers welcome FC Edmonton to Lockhart Stadium on Saturday Oct. 1 at 7:30p.m. for the right to advance to the NASL Semifinals.
All Strikers games are streamed live online at STRIKERS.com . Tickets are available by calling (954) 606-0400 or by going to STRIKERS.com . Follow the Strikers on facebook and twitter @FTLStrikers.
North American Soccer League Stories from September 24, 2011
- Impact earn 4-0 win - Montreal Impact
- Silverbacks Fall in Final Game of Season - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Stars Clinch Playoff Berth with 2-1 Win at Carolina - Minnesota United FC
- Strikers Fall to Tampa Bay; Will Face Edmonton in Playoffs - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- RailHawks Fall 2-1 to Minnesota - North Carolina FC
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