Strikers Playoff Position at Risk Against MLS-Bound Impact
Published on September 2, 2011 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (SEPTEMBER 2, 2011) - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers (6-7-10, 28 points) look to win the season series and increase their points lead against the MLS-bound Montreal Impact (6-10-7, 25 points) at Lockhart Stadium on Saturday, September 3, at 7:30p.m. A Fort Lauderdale victory could see the Strikers reach as high as fourth place in the NASL standings.
"It's important to have the tiebreakers on the teams you're in the playoff hunt with," said head coach Daryl Shore. "Our focus is on Montreal and though it would be good to get the tiebreaker, it would be even better to get a result, just for our confidence and to separate us from three points to six points."
Fort Lauderdale and Montreal have tied all three times the teams have met this season. The most recent meeting, a 1-1 fixture at Saputo Stadium in Montreal on July 13. The Strikers match-ups with Impact have been very defensive in nature with the first two games this season ending in scoreless draws.
This game also marks the return to eligibility of Strikers leading scorer Eduardo Coudet. Coudet was suspended for six games following a red card he received on July 20 against Puerto Rico. Coudet leads the Strikers in goals (6) and assists (4).
Fort Lauderdale gets Coudet back, but loses defender Cristian Arrieta to national team duty. Arrieta was selected to play with the Puerto Rican national team in their two 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against St. Kitts and Canada. Arrieta has started 13 games for the Strikers this season, scoring one goal and assisting on two others.
The Montreal Impact are streaking, winners of their last three games and undefeated in four. The Impact have scored 11 goals in their last four games, led by forwards Eduardo Sebrango and Sinisa Ubiparipovic who have each scored three goals and one assist during the undefeated streak. Equally on form is Montreal's goaltending tandem of Evan Bush and Joe Warren. The two players have combined to keep opponents scoreless the last three matches, a 270-minute shutout streak.
"They (Montreal) are on a good run right now," said Shore. "They usually figure it out toward the end of the season and they're a tough team to play against. It's not going to be an easy game."
If the Strikers defeat the Impact and the game between NSC Minnesota and FC Edmonton ends in a draw, Fort Lauderdale would be in sole possession of fourth place in the NASL behind FC Tampa Bay. Nine points separate third place Tampa Bay and seventh place Montreal. If the Strikers lose the game to Montreal, they would fall to seventh place because the Impact would own the tiebreaker against Fort Lauderdale.
Last Time Out
Fort Lauderdale lost 2-0 at home to FC Tampa Bay in the team's Centennial Match. FC Tampa Bay retained the Coastal Cup the two teams compete for each season by virtue of winning the season series against the Strikers.
FC Tampa Bay scored in the ninth minute. Tsuyoshi Yoshitake took the ball down the left, crossed it in for Mike Ambersley, who redirected the cross to Aaron King. King's shot slid inside the far post for the first goal. The Strikers had opportunities, but FC Tampa Bay goalkeeper Jeff Attinella stopped a close range attempt by Polo Morales and a Cristian Arrieta header which represented the Strikers best chances. Ambersley finished off the match in the 77th minute after he rounded Strikers goalkeeper Matt Glaeser and finished with a shot far post after a misplayed back pass by Martyn Lancaster.
2011 STAT LEADERS
Appearances: Martyn Lancaster (22)
Starts: Martyn Lancaster (21)
Minutes: Martyn Lancaster (1,793)
Goals: Eduardo Coudet (6)
Assists: Eduardo Coudet (4)
Shots: Brian Shriver (38)
Yellow cards: Eduardo Coudet (7)
Red cards: Lance Laing, Cristian Arrieta, Eduardo Coudet, Abe Thompson (1)
Saves: Matt Glaeser (59)
NEXT UP
The Strikers remain at home to face the league-leading Carolina RailHawks on September 7 at 7:30p.m. The final regular season home game will be on September 17 against the Atlanta Silverbacks.
All Strikers games are streamed live online at STRIKERS.com . Tickets are available by calling (954) 606-0400 or by going to STRIKERS.com . Follow the Strikers on facebook and twitter @FTLStrikers.
North American Soccer League Stories from September 2, 2011
- Impact Faces Strikers in Fort Lauderdale Saturday - Montreal Impact
- Strikers Playoff Position at Risk Against MLS-Bound Impact - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Flyover Cup on the Line Tomorrow Night - FC Edmonton
- FC Tampa Bay F Ambersley Named NASL Player of the Month for August - Tampa Bay Rowdies
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