Fort Lauderdale Earns A Point In The Championship Race In Hard-Fought Match With San Antonio

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers played the San Antonio Scorpions to a scoreless draw on Wednesday night at Lockhart Stadium to open a two-point advantage in the race for the NASL postseason.

In Fort Lauderdale’s home finale, the point gives the Strikers 38 in the Combined Standings, two ahead of the Tampa Bay Rowdies with two games to play. The Rowdies were idle on Wednesday night and will host the Carolina RailHawks on Saturday.

“I really wanted to make everything clear [with a win],” head coach Günter Kronsteiner said. “Tonight was not a bad thing. We need to go do it now in Indianapolis on Saturday.”

Despite picking up a point, defending NASL Champion San Antonio is eliminated from postseason play. FC Edmonton was also eliminated as a result of Wednesday’s match.

Goalkeeper David Meves stopped three shots to record his second consecutive shutout, and third of the year.

After a lackluster first half, the Strikers forced the issue after the break in search of the victory.

Marlon Freitas had successive shots in the 63rd and 64th minutes, the first from the edge of the box went wide and the second was blocked by goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes, who impressed with eight saves on the night.

NASL leading scorer Stefano Pinho had the best scoring chance for the Strikers in the 72nd minute. He took possession of the ball right at the edge of the penalty area, turned toward the goal and tried to lift the ball over the extended arms of Fernandes, who managed to stop the shot with a firm arm.

José Angulo, who replaced captain James Marcelin in the 69th minute, also came close to finding the target with several attempts. The 27-year-old tested Fernandes with his first touch of the ball after coming on, but the keeper made the save.

Angulo created a quality shot in the 82nd minute along with two more in stoppage time. Fernandes denied the first two while the last effort was blocked by a defender.

Veteran defender Iván Guerrero made his 75th appearance in a Strikers uniform.

Instrumental playmaker PC missed the match due to a head injury.