Strikers Secure Point with Late Equalizer

July 18, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release


Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (July 18, 2015) - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers remain unbeaten early in the North American Soccer League Fall Season after scoring late to save a point in a 2-2 tie with the Atlanta Silverbacks at Lockhart Stadium on Saturday night.

In front of 3,283 supporters, Walter Ramirez -- who was named to the NASL Team of the Week on Wednesday -- converted a penalty kick in the 90th minute after the midfielder was taken down in the box by Kosuke Kimura. Ramirez slotted the ball past goalkeeper CJ Cochran's left side and off the post to knot the score at twol. It was Ramirez' second goal in two games.

Fort Lauderdale is undefeated in four league matches dating back to the NASL Spring Season finale on June 13. The club is 0-3-0 (W-T-L) to start the Fall Season under Head Coach Günter Kronsteiner.

"I'm still happy that we ended up with the draw at the end," said Kronsteiner. "However, I also have the feeling that we were the better team tonight. Soccer is about who scores the most goals, and we have to work on this."

Fort Lauderdale outshot Atlanta 17-3, with five shots on target to the visitors' two. The Strikers had six shots in the scoreless first half, while the Silverbacks failed to take a shot.

After tying the match at two, the Strikers pushed for the winner and nearly got it. Jose Angulo, who came on as a substitute in the 68th minute, put the ball in the back of the net with a header two minutes into added time. The goal was not allowed after referee Bernhard Hosu ruled that Angulo committed a foul while jumping for the ball.

Angulo also had an opportunity with another header two minutes later, one that Cochran covered on the ground.

In the fifth minute of added time, Freitas had a solid shot from 20 yards out that Cochran juggled while diving on the ground before securing the ball.

Marlon Freitas put the Strikers on the board first in the 55th minute when his one-time volley found the back of the net. PC set up Freitas with a solid cross from the right flank for his second assist of the year. Freitas was issued a yellow card after celebrating his second goal of the year by removing his shirt.

Atlanta tied it at one and took the lead in a span of 12 minutes. Jaime Chavez scored with an overhead kick in the 64th and substitutes Pedro Mendes and Junior Burgos combined for the second goal. Mendes tapped home in the 76th minute following a low cross from the right by Burgos.

The draw extends the Strikers unbeaten streak against Atlanta to seven matches, dating back to 2013.

The Red & Gold hit the road for three consecutive away games, starting with a trip to Tampa Bay against the Rowdies on July 25, followed by matches at New York and Atlanta. The club returns home to face the Cosmos on August 8 at Lockhart Stadium. Tickets are available at Strikers.com.

First half:

1' Strikers have the kickoff to get the match is underway at Lockhart Stadium.

7' The home side has the early initiative, trying to put together a few attacks.

10' PC with a good header that hits the crossbar. Frankie Sanfilippo made the quality cross from the right side.

19' Midfielder Shawn Chin takes a shot from outside the box that goes over the net.

20' Stefano Pinho has a run around the defender on a long pass and finishes with a shot that also sails high over the net.

25' Defender Fabian Kling attempts a long range shot that CJ Cochran catches with ease.

37' Stefano collides with goalie Cochran after a run by the Strikers forward. Both players sustain injuries and needed medical attention.

44' Stefano again goes for a high ball this time and knocks heads with Silverbacks defender Paul Black.

45' Atlanta had no shot attempts on goal or toward the Fort Lauderdale goal in the first half.

Second half:

46' After an uneventful first half, with a slight edge of ball possession for the Strikers, the game resumes.

52' PC receives a yellow card for committing one too many fouls.

55' FTL 1-0: Marlon Freitas scores for the Strikers with a one time volley after a cross by PC. Freitas collected his second goal of the year; PC also recorded his second assist. Freitas also was issued a yellow card for taking his shirt off.

63' Guerrero with a good run on the left wing, crosses the ball that is smothered by the Atlanta goalkeeper.

64' ATL 1-1: An unmarked Jaime Chavez equalizes for the Silverbacks with a bicycle kick from four yards out after a corner kick by Paul Black.

76' ATL 2-1: The substitutes combination of Pedro Mendes and Junior Burgos gives Atlanta the lead. Mendes taps in from close range off a good pass by Burgos from the right flank

80' Frimpong takes a shot from eight yards out that Cochran parries to the side.

83' Sanfilippo header was blocked to Frimpong and his shot is also blocked.

88' Walter Ramirez is taken down in the box by Kosuke Kimura and the referee points to the penalty spot.

90' FTL 2-2: Ramirez also takes the spot kick and converts low to the goalkeeper's left off the post.

90'+2 Angulo scores a goal for the Strikers, but the referee judged he committed a full as he jumped for the ball.

90'+4 Angulo again with a header that Cochran covers on the ground.

90'+5 Freitas with a shot from 20 yards out that Cochran juggles while on the ground before holding onto the ball.



North American Soccer League Stories from July 18, 2015


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