Strikers Travel to Minnesota as Post-Season Race Heats Up
Published on September 12, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers (3-3-4, 12 pts) travel to Blaine, Minnesota to take on the Spring Season champion Minnesota United FC (5-3-1, 18 pts) this Saturday night at National Sports Center. The Strikers are coming off a 2-0 loss to the NY Cosmos in Hempstead, New York and currently stand in fifth place in the 2014 NASL Combined Table, just one point out of fourth place. The game starts at 8:00 p.m. EDT.
The Strikers were unable to get a point against the Cosmos last Saturday night, allowing two first half goals, including a penalty kick. Defender Stephane Guillaume saw his first action in 350 days, after coming off ACL knee surgery. Guillaume played at right back, allowing Darnell King to move forward and join the attack. Unfortunately, the team was unable to find a goal and was shut out for the fifth time this year. The Strikers were without the services of leading scorer Fafa Picault and defender James Marcelin, who were called to duty with the Haitian National Team.
Minnesota is coming off a 1-1 home draw with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Christian Ramirez scored his league leading 14th goal in the 14th minute on a penalty kick. Georgi Hristov found the equalizer as he received the ball from Lucky Mkosana and buried it past Minnesota's goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel. The draw helped the Rowdies jump ahead of the Strikers in the combined standings.
"Saturday's game will be a tough task for our team. Minnesota has shown throughout the Spring and Fall seasons that they are one of the League's top teams. We know that we must play our best to get a good result in this game. We will be prepared to do that and I expect to see a very competitive game on Saturday night."
The game will be streamed online through NASLLive.com. Fans can subscribe to the service to watch every game in the Fall season. You can also follow the action on Twitter at @FTLStrikers. Use either of the official hashtags of the match #MNUvFTL to interact with the Strikers and share your thoughts before, during, and after the match.
Up next
The Strikers next home game will be against expansion side Indy Eleven on Saturday, September 20th at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to Strikers home games start at $12 in advance and can be purchased on www.Strikers.com/tickets 5myJOGqD7StmjP4BlBr5Wsm2Kg] or by calling 954-606-0400.
Series history (W-T-L)
All-time Regular Season (13 meetings): 4-3-6 (14 GF/25 GA; -11 GD)
At Minnesota (7 meetings) 2-1-4 (6 GF/14 GA; -8 GD)
Playoffs (2 meetings) 0-1-1 (1 GF/3 GA; -2 GD)
Team news
Aly Alberto Hassan is available after missing last week's match due to suspension (Red Card)
2014 Stat leaders
Goals: Fafà  Picault (8)
Assists: Iván Guerrero (3)
Game Officials:
Referee: C. Penso; Assistants: J. Krill, I. Pekmic; Fourth Official: J. Uecker
North American Soccer League Stories from September 12, 2014
- Red Card Regiment Volunteer Band to Commemorate 200th Anniversary of Star-Spangled Banner at Saturda - Indy Eleven
- Indy Eleven Acquires Defender Marco Franco on Loan from Chicago Fire - Indy Eleven
- Match Preview: Scorpions at Carolina RailHawks - San Antonio Scorpions
- Match Preview: Carolina RailHawks Host the San Antonio Scorpions - North Carolina FC
- United Look to Push Home Unbeaten Streak to Eleven Games Saturday against Strikers - Minnesota United FC
- Strikers Travel to Minnesota as Post-Season Race Heats Up - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Eddies and Lafarge Head Back-To-School - FC Edmonton
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