FORT LAUDERDALE – The Fort Lauderdale Strikers began the first game of their four game road trip tonight with a 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Silverbacks at Atlanta Silverbacks Park in Atlanta, GA.
After an exciting late draw last week against NSC Minnesota, the Strikers looked to bring that momentum in to this weeks game and get this road trip started on the right foot. The Silverbacks were coming off two consecutive losses and were searching for a little momentum themselves.
This week, the match was decided again on a 90th minute penalty as Eduardo “Chacho” Coudet put the Strikers ahead in the dying moments to give the Strikers an important road victory. Coudet converted a late penalty last week versus Minnesota to earn the Strikers a 1-1 draw.
“Tonight was a hard night against a good team. We are proud of the way we battled all night and are happy to leave with three points,” said Head Coach Daryl Shore. “We feel good about winning against a quality team away from home.”
Fort Lauderdale went ahead in the 14th minute as Martin Nunez calmly chipped the ball over Atlanta’s keeper Felipe Quintero. Aaron Wheeler assisted on the goal as he controlled a Paulinho pass and then played it down into the path of Nunez for the chip. The goal is Nunez’s first of the season.
Minutes later, Mexican International Mario Perez launched violent shot from just outside the box past Strikers keeper Nic Platter. Once the score was leveled, the Silverbacks and the Strikers exchanged opportunities throughout the rest of the half.
Both teams came out of halftime strongly. Atlanta’s Lucas Paulini opened the second half with two shots going wide of the goal. The teams continued to exchange chances until Fort Lauderdale drew a decisive foul in the area. Strikers substitute Yoximar Granado was tackled in the box by Atlanta defender Tyler Ruthven in minute 87. Ruthven was shown a yellow card and the Strikers were awarded a penalty. Almost mirroring last weeks match Eduardo Coudet stepped up to the spot and launched the ball past the keeper to give the Strikers its first win of the season.
The Strikers travel to Puerto Rico to square off against the 2010 USSF Division 2 Champions. You can watch that and all Strikers games LIVE on www.strikers.com
