The Strikers have started their offseason on a positive note by picking up the club option on four players, Walter Restrepo, Matt Glaeser, Hosman Ramos, and Scott Gordon.
“I’m really excited and feel privileged to have an opportunity to keep playing for a club like the Strikers,” said Scott Gordon. “We have high expectations for the upcoming season and I’m excited to get back to work.”
The Strikers, who have been making all the right moves in order to be one of the better teams in the league, have championship aspirations as they look to bring the Soccer Bowl to Fort Lauderdale for the first time in the history of the franchise.
Photos courtesy of Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Jon van Woerden Photography
Earlier this offseason, Fort Lauderdale resigned rookie sensation Mark Anderson, and Pecka and now with the club picking up the option on four of its core players, the Strikers are on track to be one of the teams to beat in the NASL next season.
“We’ve built a solid core group of players within our organization,” said Strikers head coach Daryl Shore. “Being able to keep them together is key to reaching our goal of winning a championship in 2013.”
Restrepo was one of those key core players the Strikers could not go without.
Despite a knee injury suffered on August 15 that sidelined him for the rest of the season, Restrepo had an outstanding 2012 season earning a unanimous selection to the NASL’s Best XI team alongside teammate Mark Anderson. Restrepo was also the NASL League leader in assists with eight.
“It’s great being able to come back and play for the Strikers,” said Restrepo. “We have a great group of guys here in Fort Lauderdale and I feel comfortable with this club.”
According to Restrepo, the knee rehab is going well and says he’s looking for a return to the pitch in March, ”I cannot wait to be back to full rhythm and help this team succeed.”
Glaeser, who had a record season for the Strikers this past season, has been one of the Strikers most reliable players in the past few years.
This season, Glaeser broke some franchise record to go along with his solid season. He became the team’s all-time leader in saves (191), wins (20), games played (55), and is tied for first in shutouts with 13.
“I was a little disappointed with the way the season finished. I felt that both as a team and individually this season could have gone better,” said Glaeser of the way the Fort Lauderdale Strikers 2012 season came to an end with a 3-1 loss to the Carolina RailHawks in the first round of the NASL Playoffs. “We had some positives though, young players stepped up and played well this season.” added Glaeser.
Scott Gordon, who started the season in Major League Soccer with Chivas USA, played in only 22 games with the Strikers but his big body was a crutial in a Strikers defense in which at times was shaky before Gordon’s return to Fort Lauderdale. Gordon scored one goal and had one assists this past season.
Rookie Hosman Ramos appeared in 12 matches for the yellow and red with seven starts.
With core players intact and a front office eager to bring the Soccer Bowl to Fort Lauderdale, the Strikers are poised for a fantastic 2013 Season.
“Every season I expect us to contend for a championship,” said Matt Glaeser as he echoed the thoughts of his head coach. “With a solid core group returning, I see no reason why we can’t win the league.”
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