Strikers Unbeaten Streak Snapped in Defeat to Fall Leaders Fury FC
Published on September 19, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (September 19, 2015) - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers six game unbeaten streak came to an end Saturday night in a 2-0 loss to the North American Soccer League (NASL) Fall Season leaders Ottawa Fury FC in front of 3,773 fans at Lockhart Stadium.
Second-half strikes doomed Fort Lauderdale after a stout Fury defense blanked the hosts for the entire 90 minutes. The Strikers played a man short for the final 18 minutes of the match after PC was shown a second yellow card.
While the Strikers had the better of possession in the first half, they were unable to capitalize.
"I told them (players), if we can't score in the first half against this team, then it's going to be very tough for us," said Strikers Head Coach Günter Kronsteiner. "This is one of the best teams in the league right now."
It was the third match for the Strikers in one week, and fatigue played a part in the second stanza of the loss. For the first time this year Fort Lauderdale fielded the same starting XI in consecutive matches.
"For us, tiredness was an issue," Kronsteiner added. "Two games in one week is not really easy."
Former Strikers forward Aly Alberto Hassan opened the scoring in the 52nd minute before Sinisa Ubiparipovic, who assisted on the opener, added an insurance goal for the visitors nine minutes from time.
Goalkeeper Josh Ford kept the result at a minimum as he made a couple of good saves down the stretch as Fort Lauderdale threw numbers forward in search of a goal.
The loss was the first for the Strikers in six matches against Ottawa. The sides played to a scoreless tie last Saturday.
Fort Lauderdale slips to fifth place in the Combined Standings, with 31 points and an 8-7-8 (W-T-L) record.
The Strikers will be at home for their third straight match next Saturday night against Minnesota United FC. Tickets are available for Saturday's match and all remaining Fort Lauderdale home games at Strikers.com.
First Half
1' Match is under way. Ottawa with the kickoff.
3' Stefano Pinho with the first good scoring opportunity for the Strikers, but his header is blocked by goalkeeper Romuald Peiser.
7' Strikers with the better ball possession in the early going.
18' Fort Lauderdale continues to control the pace of the game, putting together strings of passes, but not finalizing the attack.
24' Scoring chances are few to this point, with the Strikers creating a couple of better opportunities.
32' Walter Ramirez with a free kick from 25 yards out, but his shot was blocked by the wall.
36' Header by Frankie Sanfilippo is cleared by Colin Falvey.
44' Not a particular eventful first half; Strikers had the better of play, control of pace, but teams are scoreless at the break.
Second Half
46' Strikers have the kick off to start the second half.
47' Sinisa Ubiparipovic's shot deflects off Sanfilippo and goes out of play after skiding off the crossbar.
52' OTT 1-0: Former Strikers forward Aly Alberto Hassan puts the visiting team ahead from inside the box after a pass from Ubiparipovic. Josh Ford got a piece of the ball at the near post, but not enough to keep it out of the net.
55' Freitas with a good shot for the Strikers from outside the box that hits the upright.
57' Jordan Graye has sustained an injury; he is taken off the field on a stretcher.
66' PC and Gabriel were issued yellow cards in a span of two minutes.
72' PC receives a second yellow card for making contact with a defender in the box while jumping for a ball and consequently is ejected for his second offense.
80' Paulo Jr. escapes solo on a rush and his shot misses wide of the net.
81' OTT 2-0: Ubiparipovic takes a shot from outside the area and beats Ford for Ottawa's second goal.
90' Ford makes a good save on Paulo Jr. hard shot from inside the box.
North American Soccer League Stories from September 19, 2015
- Fury Storm into Fort Lauderdale and Steal All Three Points from Strikers - Ottawa Fury FC
- Postseason Race Tightens After Exciting Night of Fall Season Action - NASL
- Strikers Unbeaten Streak Snapped in Defeat to Fall Leaders Fury FC - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Indy Eleven Falls to FC Edmonton 0-2 at Home - Indy Eleven
- Silverbacks Comeback to Clip RailHawks - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Eddies Steal Three Points from Eleven with Impressive 2-0 Victory - FC Edmonton
- RailHawks Lose Tight Battle in Atlanta - North Carolina FC
- Rowdies Overrun Scorpions 2-0 to Jump into Playoff Position - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Scorpions Beaten 2-0 by Tampa Bay Rowdies - San Antonio Scorpions
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