Strikers 7-game streak snapped in 4-1 loss to Rowdies

LAUDERHILL — A 4-1 loss to interstate rival Tampa Bay, which snapped Fort Lauderdale’s team-high seven-game unbeaten streak, was not what the Strikers were hoping to achieve after what has been one of the most turbulent weeks in the club’s recent history.

“It has not been a turbulent week, it’s been a turbulent year,” said Strikers head coach Caio Zanardi of a report confirmed by the Sun Sentinel that surfaced this week alleging principal owner Paulo Cesso informed the league that the ownership group would be unable to meet payroll and other financial obligations.

“I tried to protect them, but it’s not easy,” added Zanardi. “We’ve had so many problems, but we continue to work and keep our focus. I’m so happy with my players, no matter what’s going on outside the pitch they continue to work hard and focus on controlling what they can.”

During the Strikers unbeaten streak, goalkeeper Bruno Cardoso had only conceded four goals, but on Saturday night the Brazilian keeper equaled that total in what was an all-out attack on a depleted Strikers’ defense.

The Strikers got on the board early with a nifty goal by Ramon Nunez, after a pass by Kleberson was deflected and found the feet of the Honduran national in the fifth minute, giving the home team the early lead.

That lead would last only 11minutes.

Englishmen Joe Cole was left unmarked on the right side and was able to cruise all the way to box where he sent a cross to a streaking Georgi Hristov to level the match in the16th minute.

The Rowdies took the lead in the 36th minute when Justin Chavez was able to get past the defense and send a ball through to Tommy Heinemann who was able to chip it over Bruno to give the away team the 2-1 lead.

Tampa Bay added to the lead in the 43rd minute when their strong frontline was able to move the ball around the Strikers backline with ease and Darnell King took a shot from the right side that was deflected by Bruno, but Hristov was able to grab the rebound and punch it in for his second of the night to give the Rowdies the 3-1 lead.

“We played well in the first15 minutes, after that the Rowdies won the midfield,” explained Zanardi. “I tried to fix it, without success, and after the third goal the game was done.”

Hristov added his third of the night in the 83rd minute to give the Rowdies the comfortable 4-1 victory.

With the loss, the Strikers are tied with Miami FC in fifth place behind fourthplace Minnesota United FC by five points with seven games left in the NASL Fall Season.