Strikers Prepare for Rival Rowdies at Lockhart
Published on June 1, 2012 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (June 1, 2012) - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers (2W-4T-3L) face the rival Tampa Bay Rowdies (3W-3T-3L) on Saturday 7:30pm at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The Strikers trail the Rowdies in the NASL standings by two points and can overtake them for sole possession of fourth place with a win. The Strikers had an exceptional month of June last season, going unbeaten in five games (2W-3T-0L).
"Whether it's Tampa or any other team in our league, we want to win," said Strikers head coach Daryl Shore. "It's extra motivation for us because it's a rival."
This is the second meeting this season with the Rowdies delivering a decisive 3-1 win in St. Petersburg on April 28th. The lone goal for the Strikers coming from Walter Restrepo late in the match. The Strikers now sit at 0W-4T-5L all-time against the Rowdies in regular season play.
Tampa Bay Rowdies forward Mike Ambersley has been the primary weapon against the Strikers. Ambersley scored three times against the Strikers in 2011 and recorded a goal and an assist in the first meeting this year. The job of stopping Ambersley will fall to the Strikers defense led by Jack Stewart, with captain Toni St=E5hl serving a one game suspension for a red card he received in the game against Atlanta.
"We feel like it's our mistakes that lead to goals against us," said Stewart. "Most of the goals come from bad turnovers after we win possession, so if we can eliminate those we'll have success."
The Strikers will welcome a familiar face back to the lineup as defender Lance Laing has completed his duties with the Jamaican Senior National Team. Laing talked about returning in time to face the Rowdies.
"One of the goals I set from last year was to beat this team (Tampa Bay)," said Laing. "It's a big game tomorrow, I wish to win no matter what."
On Tuesday night, Fort Lauderdale fell to the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 at Cagan Stadium in Stanford, Calif. The Strikers run in the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup ended after the team scored eight total goals in their two matches, the most in franchise history during the Open Cup. Fort Lauderdale led the Earthquakes for 25 minutes in the match after a first half goal from midfielder Mark Anderson. Anderson has scored in five of the last six matches in all competitions for the Strikers. The eight goals beat the previous record of seven in 2010's tournament.
The match also saw the return to play for Strikers forward Andy Herron, who had been out since April 25th with a knee injury. Herron will be available for Saturday as well, but how much he will play is still unknown according to coach Shore.
"If you ask Andy, he'll tell you he's got 90 minutes in him, but we have to be cautious," said Shore. "He's eager to get back on the field and we need him back. It will be a game time decision if he'll be in the first 11 or coming off the bench."
The Tampa Bay Rowdies fell to Major League Soccer's Colorado Rapids in a 3-1 loss in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Al Lang Stadium. Tampa Bay had six shots in the first half with several good scoring opportunities. Forward Mike Ambersley hit the crossbar with a header in the first minute and forward Luke Mulholland's free kick in the opening minutes of the match bounced off the crossbar as well. Colorado goalkeeper Steward Ceus was also forced to make saves on Ambersley and Daniel Antoniuk on consecutive possessions to force Rowdies corner kicks.
Next week, the Strikers will make the long trip to Canada to face FC Edmonton on Sunday, June 10th for an afternoon battle at 4:00pm. Follow the Strikers on twitter @FTLStrikers and like us on Facebook to get the latest news and updates from South Florida's professional soccer team. All Strikers NASL matches are streamed live on www.strikers.com/live.
Match Facts
- Strikers went 0W-1T-3L last season against the Rowdies
- Strikers are 0W-4T-5L all-time against the Rowdies
- Strikers midfielder Walter Restrepo leads the league in assists (4)
- Strikers goalkeeper Matt Glaeser leads the NASL in saves (40)
2012 Stat Leaders
Goals: Aly Hassan, Andy Herron, Mark Anderson (3)
Assists: Walter Restrepo (4)
Shots: Aly Hassan, Walter Restrepo (18)
Yellow cards: Toni St=E5hl (3)
Red cards: Toni St=E5hl (2)
Saves: Matt Glaeser (40)
GAA: Matt Glaeser (1.78)
Minutes: Matt Glaeser (810)
North American Soccer League Stories from June 1, 2012
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- Minnesota Stars FC Head to Texas for First-Ever Meeting with Scorpions - Minnesota United FC
- Eddies Face Silverbacks in Second of Three at Home - FC Edmonton
- Tickets Going Fast for US Open Cup Match against MLS's Chivas USA - North Carolina FC
- Strikers Prepare for Rival Rowdies at Lockhart - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
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