Fort Lauderdale Strikers Lose 1-0 Versus Interstate Rivals
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers were defeated by Tampa Bay Rowdies 1-0 on Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla. The loss drops the Strikers record to 2-1-3 in the North American Soccer League (NASL) Spring Season.
The match’s only goal came when forward Robert Hernandez scored at c16lose range off a rebound in the 55th minute. Hernandez pushed home the rebound after Strikers goalkeeper David Meves parried a Maicon Santos shot. The score followed a turnover on a clearing attempt by Fort Lauderdale defender Frankie Sanfilippo in which he slipped on the wet pitch.
“We didn’t do well,” said Strikers Head Coach Marcelo Neveleff. “We started a little flat in the second half and that’s why Tampa scored that goal taking advantage of the momentum. We weren’t good enough close to the box. We need to work on that. It’s sad that we lost three points.”
The defeat evens the Strikers’ record at 1-1 in 2015 Coastal Cup play. It also puts the Rowdies in the driver’s seat for the round-robin competition between the two sides and league newcomer Jacksonville Armada FC. Fort Lauderdale and Tampa have each defeated the Armada this season. Each of the three teams will play each other two more times this season in chasing the Cup, which is currently held by the Strikers.
Rain began falling early in the first half and continued throughout much of the game. Despite the wet pitch, it was a back-and-forth affair with both teams attempting several long passes to initiate attacks.
The Fort Lauderdale defense was stingy in the opening 45 minutes, limiting the Rowdies’ chances. Strikers’ goalkeeper David Meves stopped six shots in the opening stanza, including a critical save in the 37th minute when he came out far from the net before pushing away a Ben Sweat shot.
Defender Jordan Graye, making his first start for the Red & Gold, helped keep the game scoreless in the 21st minute with a goal-line clearance at the back post.
Fort Lauderdale had a handful of attempts at the equalizer late in the game, including a missed opportunity by Aly Hassan in the 88th minute when he couldn’t corral a Walter Ramirez pass inside in the 18-yard box. Hassan’s first effort came shortly after he entered the contest. His right-footed shot forced the Rowdies’ goalkeeper Matt Pickens to go low for the save. In the 83rd minute, Manny Gonzalez sent an opportunity high over the crossbar from distance.
Strikers midfielder Léo Moura did not travel with the team after suffering a leg injury earlier this week.
The match marked the 15th consecutive game between the two sides without a tie. The two teams last played to a draw in their inaugural meeting in the NASL Modern Era, when they played to a 1-1 draw on June 29, 2011.
The loss stops a two-game win streak for Fort Lauderdale against Tampa Bay.
The Strikers return to home action when they host the Carolina Railhawks at Lockhart Stadium on May 23.
