Strikers Knock off Defending Champions
Published on June 4, 2011 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - Earning their first home victory, the Strikers extended their unbeaten streak to three games with a late second half comeback against defending league champions, the Puerto Rico Islanders. Two goals in an exciting final 10 minutes lifted the Strikers to a 3-2 victory. The Strikers face the NSC Minnesota Stars for the third time this season on Saturday, June 11th. The match is set to start at 7:30 p.m. at Lockhart Stadium to round out the Strikers three-game home stand.
"After going into halftime up a goal, we didn't do the things we needed to do to keep the lead. However, we showed great composure coming from behind and winning the game. The crowd was outstanding and contributed to our comeback," said Strikers Head Coach Daryl Shore.
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers attacked early in the first half with Paulinho Le Petit. In the first 10 minutes, the squad funneled their attack through the outside midfielder. Le Petit took a shot that sailed just wide from 25 yards out and shortly after, crossed it in but was saved by the Islanders goalkeeper, Ray Burse.
In the 11thminute, the Strikers earned a free kick from 25 yards out. Eduardo "Chacho" Coudet sent in the spot kick to forward Jean Philippe Peguero, who volleyed it at the Islanders goalie. Burse made the initial save, but Abe Thompson, who started for the first time since coming off injury, put away the rebound and made the game 1 - 0 in favor of the Strikers.
The Strikers continued to press forward through the rest of the half. Peguero had a header in the 21stminute, but again keeper Burse stopped him with a diving save to his left. Paulinho Le Petit came up firing; a long-range shot from 35 yards, and it was deflected wide for a corner.
In the 35thminute, the Islanders recorded a shot on goal from midfielder Josh Hansen. Hansen took a touch to his right and fired left, but Strikers keeper Matt Glaeser was there to make the save.
The game saw its first card come in the 37thminute. Islanders captain Noah Delgado got tangled up with Strikers midfielder Toni Stahl. After an aggressive foul, he was issued a straight red card. The first half finished 1 - 0 in favor of the Strikers.
With a man down, the Puerto Rico Islanders came out attacking in the second half. The Islanders struck with a goal from Nick Addlery in the 63rd minute. Addlery put home a rebound after a diving fingertip save by Matt Glaeser.
Forward Jonathan Faña substituted on after the half and made an immediate impact. In the 66th minute, Faña and winger David Foley teamed up for a goal. Foley made a streaking run down the left and sent in a cross. His cross was met by the foot of Faña, who made the score 2 - 1.
The Strikers were far from finished in this game. After a foul on Yoximar Granado that yielded a caution to Islander defender Kevon Villaroel, Eduardo Coudet sent a free kick into the box where Cristian Arrieta, who played his first game against his former squad, headed home his first goal this season in the 80th minute.
Matt Glaeser continued to provide presence in goal, making a diving save to his left and keeping the game level at 2 - 2 in the 84th minute. The Strikers continued to press in the last ten minutes to earn the three points.
In the 87th minute, David Santamaria lost possession, but he hustled after the ball to regain it. After dribbling into the Islanders' defense, Santamaria laid off the ball to Peguero, who rounded the keeper and finished the ball with his left foot. Peguero's goal proved to be the game winner.
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers extend their unbeaten streak to three games, and seven of the last eight. The Strikers record is now 2-5-2 and the Islanders are 3-2-3.
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers next game is at home against the NSC Minnesota Stars Saturday June 11th at 7:30 p.m.
North American Soccer League Stories from June 4, 2011
- Strikers Knock off Defending Champions - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- NSC MN Stars Go Second in NASL with 2-0 Win in Atlanta - Minnesota United FC
- Stars blank Silverbacks for second time this season - Atlanta Silverbacks
- RailHawks Tame Tampa, Win 6th Straight - North Carolina FC
- Devin Del Do Scores Twice to Lead Stars Past Silverbacks 2-0 - Minnesota United FC
- Impact Take 2-0 Win over Edmonton - Montreal Impact
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