Strikers Move into the Fourth Playoff Spot with Huge Comeback Win over the Rowdies
October 8, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
St. Petersburg, FL (October 8, 2014) - The Strikers found themselves down 2-0 in the 43rd minute against the Rowdies but scored two goals in the final three minutes of the half and scored a third goal in the second half to steal the three points on their first of three road matches in eleven days. Shawn Chin comes in the 42nd minute and ads a spark to the offense, scoring the game-winning goal and adding two assists. The win puts them in fourth place in the NASL Combined standings and with just four games remaining, the team holds their destiny in their own hands.
This was the Strikers first-ever win in St. Petersburg (in the modern-era NASL) and it gave them their first Coastal Cup trophy.
"It's a great feeling I'm really proud of the team," said Strikers Head Coach G-nter Kronsteiner. "We knew it was not going to be easy to play against this team. For me he (Ricky Hill) is one of the best coaches and this is one of the best teams. So we knew we had to play well together."
It looked like the Strikers were going to have a long bus ride back down I-75 to Fort Lauderdale as the Rowdies held the lead and the momentum with just 3 minutes left in the first half.
The Rowdies took the 1-0 lead in the 11th minute off a set-piece when Darel Russel kicked the ball into the box and Keith Savage headed it towards the goal, but the ball found the crossbar. Tamika Mkandawire was in the right place to get the rebound and slotted the ball past Strikers goalkeeper Kamil Contofalsky.
The Strikers nearly evened the score just two minutes later when Martin Nuñez chipped the ball over Rowdies goalkeeper Matt Pickens but the ball hit the crossbar and the Rowdies were able to clear it.
The Rowdies doubled their lead and seemed to be in control of the match when they scored in the 38th minute off another set piece. This time Savage took the free kick and found Russel at the top of the box. Strikers' midfielder Mark Anderson tried to intercept the pass, but missed and Russel knocked the ball into the back of the net to give the Rowdies the 2-0 lead.
Anderson had to come out of the game four minutes later due to injury and was replaced by Shawn Chin who created the spark that was missing from the Strikers attack.
Just a minute later Chin found Fafa Picault at the top of the box, and Picault hit the ball past Rowdies "Ëkeeper Pickens to cut the lead in half in the 43rd minute.
The Rowdies didn't even get the chance to recover from the goal as less than a minute afterwards, Chin made another nice cross to Picault who controlled the ball just outside the box using his chest and then chipped it over Pickens for his team leading 11th goal of the season and his second of the night, tying the match at 2 and sending the visiting team into the locker room with a lot of confidence.
The Strikers took the 3-2 lead in the 56th minute on another great play by Chin. This time Chin scored one himself when he found the rebound off another Picault shot and was able to put it past a diving defender and into the back of the net.
The rest of the night got very busy for the Strikers defender and Contofalsky as the Rowdies continued to press and create chances to try to find their third goal. The home team nearly tied it up in the 64th minute when Keith Savage took a point blank shot but hit the post and the Strikers were able to clear the ball.
The Strikers had to play the final four minutes of regulation and six minutes of stoppage time down a man as Fafa Picault had to leave the match with an injury and the Strikers didn't have a substitution left.
But the Strikers were able to hold on for the come from behind victory and take home the Coastal Cup.
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North American Soccer League Stories from October 8, 2014
- Strikers Move into the Fourth Playoff Spot with Huge Comeback Win over the Rowdies - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Wednesday's Florida Derby Kicks off Week 14 of the NASL Fall Season - NASL
- Rowdies Look to Claim Fifth Straight Coastal Cup Tonight at Al Lang Stadium - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Silverbacks Aim to Finish Season on High Note - Atlanta Silverbacks
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