PREVIEW | Coastal Cup Action Resumes At Al Lang Stadium Between Rowdies And Strikers

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers head to St. Petersburg on Saturday, July 25, for a Coastal Cup clash against their interstate rival, the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The Strikers’ trip to Tampa Bay is one of three away fixtures following a rally last Saturday to earn a late point against the Atlanta Silverbacks in the home side's 2-2 draw.

Fort Lauderdale opened the scoring in the second half when midfielder PC whipped in a cross to fellow Brazilian Marlon Freitas, who hit the ball first time in the air and sent it to the back of the net. Freitas was selected for the NASL Team of the Week. Atlanta returned the favor promptly with two quick goals before Walter Ramirez equalized in the 90th minute with his second penalty-kick goal in as many games.

Undefeated in the first three Fall Season games with three draws, the Strikers face a tough task in Florida rival Tampa Bay. Last Saturday, the Rowdies fell to FC Edmonton, 1-0, at home on a Stefan Antonijevic own goal. Despite losing their first game of the Fall Season, the Rowdies remain on top in the NASL Combined Standings with 22 points, one point ahead of the spring winners, the New York Cosmos, and the Carolina RailHawks.

Saturday’s match could mark the NASL debut of former U.S. international Freddy Adu, who found a new home and reunited with former coach Thomas Rongen. The two were together with the U.S. Under-20 national team.

The Strikers welcome back James Marcelin after his stellar Gold Cup with Haiti.

Fort Lauderdale is currently second in the Coastal Cup Standings, the three-way competition between Florida-based NASL clubs, the Strikers, Rowdies and newcomers Jacksonville Armada FC. Tampa Bay leads by virtue of its wins against each team earlier this year. The Strikers are the current holders of the Cup.