Strikers Triumph in Ottawa, Earn Third-Consecutive Road Win
Published on May 27, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - History was made Friday night as the Fort Lauderdale Strikers picked up a third-consecutive victory on the road for their first time in the North American Soccer League (NASL) Modern Era, defeating Ottawa Fury FC by a score of 2-1 at TD Place in Ottawa, Ontario.
Maicon Santos put the Strikers ahead in just the eighth minute before his substitute Giuseppe Gentile doubled the advantage in the second half. Carl Haworth pulled one back for Ottawa from the penalty spot with 10 minutes remaining to set up a dramatic finish, but it was too little, too late, as the Strikers ended the Fury's nine-game home unbeaten streak.
"It was a complicated match, but the players executed our gameplan and we came away with a very important win," said Head Coach and General Manager Caio Zanardi. "We had to concede possession most of the time but we hit them on the break and got the ball into dangerous places. The last 10 minutes we defended well to keep the lead. It was a great result, now we need to recover and turn our attention to the Open Cup."
Assistant Coach Phillip Dos Santos led the Strikers from the sidelines as Zanardi was serving a one-match suspension. The club fielded the same starting lineup from last week's 2-1 win over Rayo OKC. Jean-Marc Alexandre wasn't available for the match as he is on international duty with the Haiti national team. PC captained the side for the second game running.
The Strikers got off to the best possible start, scoring early on with a fantastic chipped goal by Maicon Santos. The Brazilian was played through on goal by reigning NASL Player of the Week Ramon Nuñez for his fourth goal of the season.
Fort Lauderdale made the most of their chances after looking dangerous right from kickoff, with a great attack by Geison Moura and Nana Attakora shaking the Ottawa defence within the opening few minutes of the match.
Goalkeeper Diego Restrepo was called into action several times during the match, including two highlight-reel worthy reaction saves in the first half to maintain Fort Lauderdale's 1-0 advantage heading into the halftime interval. Fort Lauderdale is unbeaten (3-1-0) this season with Restrepo in net.
Both teams pressed for another goal early in the second half. Maicon Santos was forced off with injury, but the Strikers substitution in the 56th minute payed off almost instantaneously. Gentile found space for a shot outside the box which bobbled in front of Ottawa goalkeeper Romuald Peiser as he watched it bounce into across the line.
Restrepo's heroics continued into the second half as the shotstopper was forced to produce several impressive saves that made him look destined for a clean sheet. Gentile turned from hero to victim, as a penalty appeal for a handball in the area against him went Ottawa's way. Haworth sent the hero-between-the-posts the wrong way, giving the home side a glimmer of hope with 10 minutes remaining.
Ottawa followed up the goal with threatening pressure right until the final whistle, making for a nail-biting finish to the match. Strikers did not sit back however, with Moura's left boot missing a near-perfect cross by a mere inch in attempt to seal all three points. Red & Gold held out for a historic win and ending Ottawa's unbeaten home streak, held since August last year.
The Strikers record is now 3-3-2 (W-T-L) on the season. Following the conclusion of the match, Fort Lauderdale is three points off first place in the Spring Season with two matches remaining.
The Strikers now shift their attention to a midweek Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Third Round fixture against Richmond Kickers on Wednesday, June 1, at 11 a.m. ET on the Broward College South Campus. Action returns to Lockhart Stadium on June 4, when the Strikers go to battle against historic rivals New York Cosmos in the Spring Season home finale. Tickets to the match are on sale now on Strikers.com.
North American Soccer League Stories from May 27, 2016
- Strikers Outlast Fury FC 2-1 at TD Place - Ottawa Fury FC
- Strikers Triumph in Ottawa, Earn Third-Consecutive Road Win - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- FC Edmonton's Corea, Ledgerwood Returning to International Stage - FC Edmonton
- Julian de Guzman and Marcel De Jong Called to CanMNT - Ottawa Fury FC
- Two Points Separate Five Clubs in NASL Spring Season Title Race - NASL
- Minnesota United Enters Final Stretch with Spring Title on the Line - Minnesota United FC
- Richmond Win Will See Strikers Face D.C. United - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Eddies Face Miami FC in Penultimate Match of Spring Season - FC Edmonton
- Andy Seidel to Lead United Reserves in First Premier League of America Season - Minnesota United FC
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