Strikers Host Streaking RailHawks at Lockhart Saturday
Published on June 29, 2012 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (June 29, 2012) - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers (4W-4T-5L) welcome the streaking Carolina RailHawks (4W-5T-4L) at Lockhart Stadium on Saturday, June 30 at 7:30p.m. EDT. The Strikers have won their last two games at Lockhart Stadium. The Carolina RailHawks are on a four-game win streak inside the NASL. The Strikers sit one point behind the RailHawks in the NASL standings and could move as high as fourth place with a victory.
"We view this as a must-win game for us," said Strikers head coach Daryl Shore. "We had a good week of practice and hopefully we can take that and turn it into a positive result on Saturday."
It is the second meeting of the season for the two teams with the first match a 3-3 draw at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC. It was the first time in the regular season the Strikers earned points at the RailHawks home stadium.
"Both of our teams are attacking-minded and it wouldn't be too surprising to see a lot of action," said Shore. "We made some mental errors that led to goals and I think they would admit the same."
Strikers midfielder Mark Anderson has taken over the team lead in goals scored with five on the season. Anderson has scored a goal in five of his last seven games played. A streak which began May 2nd against Carolina.
Last week, Fort Lauderdale fell to the Minnesota Stars 2-1 on the road at NSC Stadium. Mark Anderson scored on a free kick in the first half. The Stars scored both their goals in the first half on a penalty kick from Neil Hlavaty and a header from Simone Bracalello. The Strikers fell to sixth place in the NASL standings.
The RailHawks defeated FC Edmonton at WakeMed Soccer Park 2-0 with goals by Nick Zimmerman and Breiner Ortiz. It was the RailHawks fourth consecutive win in NASL league play and second consecutive shutout defensively.
Carolina's shutout streak currently sits at 225 minutes without conceding a goal. Tampa native and RailHawks forward Nick Zimmerman is tied for the league-lead in goals with six. He's already surpassed his goal total of five last season. As a team, the RailHawks are the top scorers in the NASL with 22 goals in 13 games.
INJURIES/OUT
- Defender Jack Stewart will miss the game with a groin injury sustained against the Minnesota Stars last week.
- Defender Lance Laing (ankle) is expected to miss approximately four weeks.
- Midfielder Yoximar Granado (quadriceps) is rehabbing, but is still unavailable.
- Midfielder Polo Morales (tib/fib fracture) is out for the remainder of the season
MATCH FACTS
- Strikers went 2W-0T-2L last season against RailHawks
- Strikers are 0W-1T-6L all-time at WakeMed Soccer Park
- Strikers are 5W-2T-8L all-time against the RailHawks
- Strikers goalkeeper Matt Glaeser has played every minute so far this season (1170)
- Strikers midfielder Walter Restrepo is tied for the league lead in assists (5)
- Strikers midfielder Mark Anderson is tied for second in the league in goals (5)
2012 STAT LEADERS
Goals: Mark Anderson (5)
Assists: Walter Restrepo (5)
Shots: Mark Anderson (29)
Yellow cards: Toni St=E5hl (4)
Red cards: Toni St=E5hl (2)
Saves: Matt Glaeser (50)
GAA: Matt Glaeser (1.54)
Minutes: Matt Glaeser (1170)
NEXT MATCH:
The Strikers head to St. Petersburg, Fla. for their yearly Independence Day match against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Wednesday, July 4 at 6:30pm EDT. Contact info@strikers.com or call (954)606-0400 for more information. Follow the Strikers on twitter @FTLStrikers and like us on Facebook to get the latest news and updates from South Florida's professional soccer team. All Strikers NASL matches are streamed live on www.strikers.com/live.
North American Soccer League Stories from June 29, 2012
- Guatemala and Panama Bring International Soccer to Historic Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Eddies Look to Sink the Islanders - FC Edmonton
- Rowdies Host Minnesota Tomorrow Night - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Match Preview: Carolina RailHawks vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers - North Carolina FC
- First Annual Scorpions International Challenge Set - San Antonio Scorpions
- Strikers Host Streaking RailHawks at Lockhart Saturday - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Minnesota Stars FC Back on the Road to Face Rowdies - Minnesota United FC
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