News

The winner of this year’s Coastal Cup will be decided Saturday night when the Fort Lauderdale Strikers host rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies in the final regular season meeting at Lockhart Stadium. The previous three meetings this season have all ended in 3-1 wins for the team at home.

Fort Lauderdale is in high spirits after defeating the league-leading San Antonio Scorpions last weekend. Player-Coach Abe Thompson lead by example, scoring both goals in his side’s 2-1 victory, picking up NASL Offensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts. The win was the Strikers first-ever against the Scorpions, and extended an impressive eight-match unbeaten streak at Lockhart.

Tampa Bay is coming into this match off of a winless August, going 0-3-1 during the month. The Rowdies started the month with a dramatic 3-3 comeback draw against the Carolina RailHawks, but have failed to score in the three matches that followed. Despite this, the side has lost just two of their last ten matches, and remains level on points with the second-place Islanders.

In the last Florida Derby at Lockhart Stadium, the hosts defeated the Rowdies for the first time since the rebirth of the rivalry in 2010. Abe Thompson and Mark Anderson put the hosts in front after going a goal down before Walter Restrepo capped the off historic victory with an insurance goal in injury time.

Just two points separate the sides in the standings, and a win for the either side could mean moving up to second place. With an opportunity for both teams to clinch a playoff berth, and bragging rights at stake, all signs indicate another great Florida Derby.

Fort Lauderdale Strikers vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

Saturday, September 1, 2012— 7:30 P.M. EDT

Lockhart Stadium

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Webcast: NASL on ustream

2012 Series:  Tampa Bay, 2-0-1, 6 points

2011 Series:  Tampa Bay, 3-1-0, 10 points

                                              Fort Lauderdale                             Tampa Bay

Head Coach                        Daryl Shore                                    Ricky Hill

2012 Records                    4^th: 9-7-8, 34 points                      3^rd: 10-6-7, 36 points      

Last Five Games               W L W T W                                       W T T L T

Goals Leader                     Mark Anderson (11)                       Daniel Antoniuk (6),

                                                                                                         Tsuyoshi Yoshitake (6)

Assists Leader                  Walter Restrepo (8)                        Mike Ambersley (8)

Fort Lauderdale

• 8-3-1 at home
• Can clinch playoff berth with win or tie if Edmonton fails to win their match
• Unbeaten in last eight at Lockhart
• Andy Herron returns from two-match ban
• Suspended: None
• At risk: Scott Lorenz, Alfonso Motagalvan, Conor Shanosky, Jack Stewart (four yellows)

Tampa Bay

• 3-2-6 on the road
• Clinches playoff berth if Edmonton fails to win their match, or with a win
• Scoreless in last three straight matches
• Winless in last four matches
• Suspended: None
• At risk: Luke Mulholland, Frankie Sanfilippo (four yellows)