Strikers Lose in San Antonio 2-0
July 19, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Fort Lauderdale, FL - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers (0-0-2, 0 pts) were defeated by the San Antonio Scorpions (2-0-0, 6pts) by a score of 2-0 at Toyota Field in San Antonio on a goal and an assist by Billy Forbes. Finding themselves down 2-0 at the half, the team came out firing but Scorpions keeper David Bingham made several spectacular saves to shut out the visiting Strikers.
Forbes scored the Scorpions first goal in the 24th minute when he received a ball from Walter Restrepo at the top of the box and then slotted it into the corner, just past the outstretched hands of Strikers goalkeeper Kamil Contofalsk=FD.
Forbes then helped his team double their lead late in the half when he found Tomasz Zahorski in the middle of the box. Zahorski then turned on Strikers defender Stephane Antonijevic and shot a rocket past a diving Contofalski.
The Strikers almost cut the lead in half in the 45th minute as Jenison Brito took a shot from just outside the box but the Scorpions keeper David Bingham came up with one of his many spectacular saves of the night, preserving his team's lead at the half.
The Strikers had several opportunities in the second half, but were unable to find the back of the net.
"We've had many chances in the last two games and we just cannot score," said Strikers head coach G-nter Kronsteiner. "Their keeper made some really great saves; congratulations to him. San Antonio is a very good team. I thought we matched up well with them, unfortunately, they were a little bit luckier tonight."
The Strikers had a great opportunity to cut the lead in half at the 62nd minute when Mark Anderson shot a rocket towards the top right corner of the goal from about 25 yards out, but Bingham managed to make a spectacular diving save, just getting his hand on the ball and deflecting it out. Just six minutes later, James Marcelin took a shot from about 30 yards, but it was right at the keeper.
With time running out, Aly Alberto Hassan, who came in for Mark Anderson in the 70th minute, was pulled down inside the box by Scorpions captain Julius James. The referee gave James a Red Card for his actions and awarded the Strikers a PK. Fafa Picault took the penalty kick in the 90+ minute and tried to put it in the lower left had corner of the goal, but the ball hit the post and bounced out and was then cleared by the Scorpions defenders, continuing the Strikers scoring woes.
The Strikers return to Lockhart for a two-match home stand against a pair of old rivals: New York Cosmos on July 26 and Tampa Bay Rowdies on August 2. Tickets to the matches start at just $12 in advance. Call 954-606-0400 or visit www.Strikers.com/tickets.
• Discuss this story on the North American Soccer League message board...
North American Soccer League Stories from July 19, 2014
- Scorpions Win and Move into 1st Place in the NASL Fall Season Table - San Antonio Scorpions
- Minnesota United Stuns Premier League Side Swansea City in Historic International Friendly in Front - Minnesota United FC
- Strikers Lose in San Antonio 2-0 - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- NASL Fall Season Week 2: San Antonio and Tampa Bay Keep Pace with Minnesota United FC in Early Fall - NASL
- Late Heroics from Hristov Gives Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-1 Victory - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Late Goal by Rowdies' Georgi Hristov Dooms Eleven to Another tough Loss in Front of Sold Out Crowd - Indy Eleven
- Silverbacks Top FC Edmonton 1-0 in Wynalda's Final Game on Bench - Atlanta Silverbacks
- FC Edmonton Leave All Three Points in Atlanta - FC Edmonton
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
