Strikers Held to Scoreless Draw by Unbeaten Indy Eleven
May 14, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers withstood a weather delay that extended for nearly 90 minutes and created numerous scoring chances, but were denied a first home win of the season by the stellar performance of Indy Eleven goalkeeper Jon Busch, and forced to settle for a scoreless tie at Lockhart Stadium.
"He (Jon Busch) was the best player on the field," said Strikers Head Coach and General Manager Caio Zanardi. "We moved the ball a lot and had terrific chances to put this one away. Now we need to focus on Oklahoma City and getting the three points away from home."
Fort Lauderdale attempted a total of 15 shots over the course of the night. Busch earned his shutout after making six saves.
In the eighth minute, Geison Moura's deflected shot called Busch into action for the first time of the night. The goalkeeper's save, which stopped the ball right on the goalline, foreshadowed the type of game he was going to have.
Strikers leading goalscorer, Maicon Santos, created two quality scoring opportunities earlier in the match. The first one was on a counterattack, with the second after maneuvering past Busch but unable to slot into the net.
Thunderstorms in the area delayed the match after the first half. Following an hour and 24 minute delay, the teams kicked off the second half at 9:32 p.m. ET.
The Strikers' closest opportunity came three minutes into the second half when Jose Angulo took it upon himself for an excellent run on the right side where he elluded several Indy players and finished with a powerful shot that rattled off the underside of the crossbar.
Maicon Santos got a header on the end of a PC cross in the 52nd minute, but Busch, who was instrumental for the visitors throughout the game, again made a fingertip save.
Fort Lauderdale mounted the pressure in search of a winning goal.
In the closing minutes, Busch kept his clean sheet when he first denied defender Nana Attakora a close range shot. Attakora got a second bite at the cherry on the rebound, but was denied his second game-winning goal when his follow-up attempt was cleared off the goalline by a defender.
Moments later, defender Dalton rose high for a header off a corner kick, with Busch again able to parry the ball away from danger.
Diego Restrepo collected his first shutout with the Strikers in just his second match, making two stops.
The Strikers record is now 1-3-2 (W-T-L) on the season.
Prior to kickoff the club honored its leading goalscorer in the NASL Modern Era, Mark Anderson. Anderson played three seasons for Fort Lauderdale between 2012 and 2014, raking up 69 appearances and a team-high 22 goals.
The Strikers hit the road for the next two matches. The club will take on NASL newcomer Rayo OKC on Saturday, May 21, before heading north of the border to face Ottawa Fury FC on Friday, May 27. Action returns to Lockhart Stadium on June 4, when the Strikers go to battle against historic rivals New York Cosmos in the Spring Season home finale. Tickets to the match are on sale now on Strikers.com.
North American Soccer League Stories from May 14, 2016
- Minnesota United Jumps into First Place, Joe Cole Debuts in Tampa - NASL
- Armada Can't Convert Key Chances in 2-0 Loss to United FC - Jacksonville Armada FC
- Strikers Held to Scoreless Draw by Unbeaten Indy Eleven - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Busch's Big Night in Goal Helps Indy Eleven to 0-0 Draw at Fort Lauderdale - Indy Eleven
- Tampa Bay Rowdies Held to Unlucky 1-1 Draw against Rayo OKC - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- United Moves to Top of the Table with 2-0 Win - Minnesota United FC
- RailHawks Remain Tied for First Place After Draw against Miami FC - North Carolina FC
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