Strikers Unable to Capitalize on Three-Goal Lead
August 8, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers were within three minutes of earning their first win over rival New York Cosmos in the NASL Modern Era, but will have to wait until another time after succumbing to a 3-3 tie at Lockhart Stadium on Saturday night.
In front of 5,667 fans, the Strikers could not hold on to a 3-0 advantage as substitute Sebastian Guenzatti completed the comeback by scoring the equalizer two minutes into the five minutes of allotted stoppage time.
Fort Lauderdale controlled the better part of the game, with Walter Ramirez scoring twice. Ramirez' first goal came from a penalty kick after Gabriel also converted from the spot to give the home side what looked like a comfortable lead until the 62nd minute.
The last time the Strikers scored against the Cosmos dated back to July 26, 2014, when Jenison Brito converted a penalty kick in the 24th minute of a 1-1 tie. Gabriel's strike snapped a stretch of 358 minutes without a goal against the New York side.
Ramirez doubled the lead three minutes into the second half when his penalty shot hit the post and the ball bounced into the net off goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer's back. Ramirez then tallied his second of the night in the 58th minute on a fine individual effort after a nifty pass from PC that created the run on the left flank. Cosmos' substitute Adam Moffat was able to interfere and push the ball, but Ramirez managed to retrieve the ball and dribble around Maurer to slot the ball into an empty net.
New York had other plans and spoiled what would have been the Fort Lauderdale's first win in eight (0-2-6) games against the Cosmos in the modern NASL.
Fernandes and Moffat scored in a four-minute span (62nd and 66th minutes) to get New York back in the game at 3-2. Guenzatti then equalized in stoppage time and the Cosmos nearly had a winning goal, after Fernandes put the ball in the net, but was disallowed for an offside call.
The Strikers played without regular starters Stefano Pinho, Karsten Smith and James Marcelin, who were out due to suspensions. Honduras international Hendry Thomas made his debut for the Strikers -- the club's 101st player to appear in the NASL Modern Era.
Fort Lauderdale is back in action next Saturday at Lockhart Stadium when they host in-state foe Tampa Bay Rowdies in a Coastal Cup clash at 7:30 p.m. EDT. Tickets are available at Strikers.com .
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