Strikers Travel to Atlanta to Face Silverbacks on Saturday

Published on September 13, 2012 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release


FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Sept. 13, 2012) - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers (9W-8T-9L), on the road for their final two regular season games after clinching a playoff spot, travel to face the Atlanta Silverbacks (5W-8T-12L) on Saturday, Sept. 15, at 7:30pm. Even though Fort Lauderdale clinched a playoff berth, the team can finish the season anywhere from third to sixth place in the final NASL standings. A third or fourth place finish guarantees a home playoff game at Lockhart Stadium on Sept. 29.

"We know we have to play against an Atlanta team that's playing very well right now," said Strikers head coach Daryl Shore. "We are fighting for home field advantage and need to create a playoff mentality and go into the game focused on our team defense and finishing our scoring chances."

Fort Lauderdale and Atlanta have two and three matches remaining, respectively. The Strikers have just one loss in their previous five matches, and the Silverbacks have one loss in their last six.

Strikers midfielder Mark Anderson has scored a goal in each of the three matches against Atlanta this season. There have been two multi-goal games in the season series this year with Atlanta's Pedro Mendes scoring twice on Aug. 4 and Strikers forward Aly Hassan scoring a brace on July 27.

The season series is tied at 1-1-1 after the first three games this year. Both teams won their first home games, while the game at Lockhart Stadium on May 26, resulted in a 1-1 draw. Since Atlanta hired Eric Wynalda as head coach mid-season and appointed Brian Haynes as his successor and current coach, scoring in Silverbacks' games has increased dramatically. This is especially the case in games against the Strikers, as the teams have combined for a total of 14 goals over their last two meetings.

Fort Lauderdale's late season run of strong play has been headlined by the Strikers' defense. Fort Lauderdale has allowed just five goals in the team's last five matches, three coming against Tampa Bay on Sept. 1. After surrendering a second-minute goal to Puerto Rico on Saturday, the Strikers held the Islanders scoreless for the remaining 88 minutes of the match.

Atlanta's Matt Horth comes into Saturday's match having scored three times in his last two matches. Horth won the NASL's Offensive Player of the Week award on September 4 and has nine goals on the season, tied for fourth most in the league.

MATCH FACTS:

- The Strikers are 1W-1T-1L against the Silverbacks this season

- The Strikers are 1W-1T-1L at Atlanta Silverbacks Park all-time

- Mark Anderson has the third most goals in the NASL this season (11)

- Mark Anderson leads the NASL in shots (84)

- Matt Glaeser has the second most saves in the NASL this season (98)

- Matt Glaeser has played every minute of the 2012 season (2,340)

2012 STRIKERS STAT LEADERS:

Goals

1. Mark Anderson (11)

2. Andy Herron (8)

3. Walter Restrepo (6)

4. Aly Hassan (5)

Assists

1. Walter Restrepo (8)

2. Scott Lorenz (4)

3. Abe Thompson (4)

4. Mark Anderson (3)

Shots: Mark Anderson (84)

Yellow cards: Toni St=E5hl (5)

Red cards: Toni St=E5hl (2)

Saves: Matt Glaeser (98)

GAA: Matt Glaeser (1.65)

NEXT UP

The Strikers will travel to Canada to play their final regular season game against FC Edmonton on Sunday, Sept. 23, at 4:05pm EDT. Tickets for Strikers games are available by calling (954) 606-0400 or by going to Strikers.com . Follow the Strikers on Facebook and twitter @FTLStrikers . All Strikers NASL games are broadcast online at Strikers.com/live

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



North American Soccer League Stories from September 13, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central