RECAP | United 5, Strikers 2

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers gave up five goals for the first time in the NASL Modern Era in dropping a 5-2 decision to Minnesota United FC Saturday night at Lockhart Stadium.

Jose Angulo secured his second brace of the season, opening and closing the scoring with goals in the 7th and 88th minutes. The goals, Angulo’s fourth and fifth of the year, came in his first start since May 16, while his first brace came at Ottawa on April 25. Angulo nearly grabbed a hat trick, but his 89th minute effort was ruled offside.

In between Angulo’s goals, it was all Loons:  Ibson scored a pair of goals and Christian Ramirez scored a goal and provided two assists for the visitors. Kalif Alhassan and Daniel Mendes scored one each as United extended its unbeaten streak to nine straight matches.

Minnesota’s win was the first against Fort Lauderdale in three matches that includes the 2014 Championship Semifinal, which Fort Lauderdale won on penalty kicks to advance to The Championship.

Fort Lauderdale took the field with a makeshift defense without the services of regulars PC (serving a red card suspension), Jordan Graye (broken nose), and Iván Guerrero (hamstring). Fabian Kling (back) was also unavailable.

“In this league, especially against the better teams, you have problems (with three of four defenders out),” said Strikers Head Coach Günter Kronsteiner. “Still, we were holding up well in the first half.”

Saturday’s match, in front of 2,903 fans, concludes a three-game homestand for Fort Lauderdale.  The Strikers will play next Saturday (October 3) at San Antonio, followed by a trip to Minnesota the following Saturday (October 10).

Despite outshooting Minnesota 15 to 14 and placing nine shots on goal to the United’s six, it was the Loons that capitalized on nearly each of their prime chances.

One bright spot on the night for the Red & Gold: By virtue of Jacksonville Armada FC’s 2-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies, the Strikers will retain the Coastal Cup for a second straight year.  Created by supporters groups in 2011, the Cup is awarded to the Florida-based side with the most points in head-to-head competition.