Strikers vs. Cruzeiro Friendly to Be Televised

June 21, 2013 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release


FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers host Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, one of the top teams in the Brazilian first division, in an international friendly this Sunday, June 23, at historic Lockhart Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast live nationally on the Univision Deportes Network and in Brazil on SporTV, a division of Globo, one of Brazil's largest television networks.

"For us, it's a great experience to play against a world-renowned club like Cruzeiro, and for our Brazilian players to play against guys who they watched growing up," said Strikers' head coach Daryl Shore. "For our young players it's a chance to see what a true professional club from Brazil is about. Any chance you get to play an international friendly is always special and lets us show not only our talent, but our league's talent and prove the NASL is a league to be reckoned with."

Cruzeiro play in the first division of Brazilian soccer and hold the distinction of being the only club in Brazil to ever win the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, the Copa do Brasil and the Campeonato Mineiro in the same year (2003). Founded in 1921, Cruzeiro is one of only five teams to never have been relegated from Brazil's top division.

The match comes one week before the final home game of the Spring championship season for the Strikers against the San Antonio Scorpions on June 29. Cruzeiro will remain in the U.S. as they follow up their match against the Strikers by traveling to Chicago to face Monarcas Morelia from Mexico on June 28. Cruzeiro will also participate in an open training session at Lockhart Stadium on Saturday, June 22, at 5:00 p.m.

"European clubs have been coming to play friendlies here in the US for a long time, and now South American clubs are starting to realize soccer in America is growing and that they have the opportunity to get quality games," added Shore. "We know we'll be competitive in the match and we know there are going to be chances had by both sides. If we are able to get a result it would be great for our players as a source of confidence to finish the Spring season strong."

The Univision Deportes Network (UDN) is available on the following providers, Dish Network on channel 869, DirecTV on channel 455 and on AT&T U-verse on channel 658 in standard definition and channel 1658 in high definition.



North American Soccer League Stories from June 21, 2013


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