Tie keeps Strikers stagnant

In a game where the Fort Lauderdale Strikers desperately needed a win to make a dent in the NASL Combined standings, the home team once again settled for a 0-0 draw versus another top-of-the-table team in the New York Cosmos in front of 1,821 fans at Central Broward Stadium.

The Strikers struggled in the first half as the home team was only able to hold on to 41 percent of ball possession and had only one shot on target whereas the visitors controlled most of the half with its 59 percent ball possession and three shots on target.

“Both teams were trying to play soccer,” Cosmos coach Giovanni Savarese said. “Both teams were trying to move the ball and from that standpoint, it was an entertaining game.”

“We had the ball the majority of the time,” Savarese added. “We created some great chances, unfortunately, we didn’t have the clarity to solidify those chances.”

Defender Gale Agbossoumonde, the catalyst of the Strikers defense all season long, suffered a knee injury in the 31st minute, snapping his 1,831-minute streak in NASL play this season where he has played in all 21games.

Julius James, who came on for the injured Agbossoumonde, connected well with the backline which kept the prominent, and lethal, Cosmos attack at bay. Goalkeeper Bruno Cardoso had his best game as a member of the Strikers as the Brazilian was very active in the second half, defending seven lethal chances by the leagueleading Cosmos.

At the start of the second it was more of the same for the Strikers as, although they had good success in keeping the Cosmos at bay, theywere unable to connect to their attacking third which has been a seasonlong topic for the club.

“This kind of match is very high level and you can’t make any mistakes,” Striker coach Caio Zanardi said. “We tried to close the field and they got more success finding opportunities.”

Most of the game the Strikers played on the heels, not able to connect their passes but with a week off until Indy Eleven comes to Central Broward Stadium, Zanardi believes he can have his team ready at full strength, despite the Agbossoumonde injury.

“Whenwe get the ball we can’t make mistakes like we had tonight,” Zanardi said. “We must fix the passing issue but we have some time until Indy nextweek.”

With the draw, the Strikers stay stagnant in the NASL Combined Standings with 28 points tied with the Tampa Bay Rowdies for sixth place.