Strikers Play Local Rival Miami FC to 1-1 Draw in Fall Season Opener
July 2, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - On an overcast night at Lockhart Stadium, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers opened the NASL Fall Season with a hard-earned 1-1 draw against local rivals Miami FC as defender Gale Agbossoumonde scored his first goal in a Strikers uniform to help the home side salvage a point.
Agbossoumonde elevated himself high above everyone in the box on a corner kick by fellow defender Gabriel in the 53rd minute and directed a beautiful header into the top right corner of goalkeeper Mario Daniel Vega to cancel out Dario Cvitanich's penalty kick opener.
The start of the second half was delayed for 51 minutes due to lightning in the area.
"We didn't play well in the first half," said Strikers Head Coach and General Manager Caio Zanardi. "We were tired after coming from the game Wednesday versus Orlando City which was a hard game that we played in extra time. We have one week to recover to play our next game. I think one point [at this moment] is ok for us, but we need to be ready for the next game versus Edmonton."
Zanardi named an unchanged starting lineup from Wednesday's impressive 2-1 victory against Major League Soccer (MLS) side Orlando City SC to advance to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup. The Strikers will travel to face another MLS club, Chicago Fire, on July 20.
Miami FC got on the board first 18 minutes into the game when Cvitanich converted from the penalty spot, sending Diego Restrepo the wrong way. The referee pointed to the spot after Julius James was adjudged to have taken down Ariel Martinez.
Maicon Santos had a trio of chances early in the first half, but could not find the target. He also looked for more opportunities in the second half, particularly with a hard shot from long range in the 63rd minute that Vega blocked with some degree of difficulty. Maicon tried again in the 75th minute, this time just missing wide of the net.
Ramon Nuñez also tested Vega with a pair of chances late in the game. Vega produced a total of four saves.
The Strikers travel to face FC Edmonton in their next match on Sunday, June 10.
North American Soccer League Stories from July 2, 2016
- Stoppage Time Strike Salvages Point for Eddies - FC Edmonton
- Late Equalizers Headline Exciting Night of Fall Season Openers - NASL
- Carolina Suffers Loss at Minnesota United FC in Fall Season Home Opener - North Carolina FC
- Rowdies Settle for 1-1 Draw in Front of Record Crowd - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Winning Start to Cosmos' Fall Season - New York Cosmos
- Ramirez Hat Trick Leads Minnesota to 5-1 Win - Minnesota United FC
- Armada Gets Crucial Road Point in Fall Opener - Jacksonville Armada FC
- Strikers Play Local Rival Miami FC to 1-1 Draw in Fall Season Opener - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- 10-Man Fury FC Fall 2-1 to New York Cosmos - Ottawa Fury FC
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