PREVIEW | Fury FC vs. Strikers

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers are on the road for back-to-back matches, as they take on Ottawa Fury FC on Saturday, April 25, at 3:00 p.m. ET at TD Place Stadium for their fourth match of the NASL Spring Season.

The Strikers are coming in to the match following a 3-2 road defeat to FC Edmonton on Sunday. Goalkeeper David Meves made six crucial saves during the game, including one from the penalty spot. Goals from Strikers captain Léo Moura and Dani Sánchez had the Strikers up 2-1, but a late comeback from the hosts saw the visitors leave Canada with zero points.

Saturday’s opponents Ottawa Fury FC are also coming off a defeat to FC Edmonton, a 3-1 mid-week affair in the Amway Canadian Championship. Fury FC opened the scoring in the first minute of play, but three late goals from the Eddies secured the comeback. In their previous NASL match, Ottawa earned their first win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Minnesota United FC at home.

The Strikers are unbeaten in three prior matches against Fury FC.

FTLvOTT SERIES

Last Meeting: November  1, 2014 - 1-1 draw in Fort Lauderdale    

Series History: 2-1-0 (5 GF / 2 GA; +3 GD)

In Fort Lauderdale: 1-1-0 (3 GF / 1 GA; +2 GD)

In Ottawa: 1-0-0 (2 GF / 1 GA; +1 GD)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FTL- Léo Moura

The Strikers captain has tallied two goals in his last two matches for the Strikers, trying him for the league lead in goals. The Strikers are going to need Moura’s veteran presence to help the team get their first road point of the season.

FTL- Iván Guerrero

Guerrero comes into Saturday's match as one of only four Strikers players to play all 270 minutes for the team this season. The Strikers will look to the experience of the 37-year-old and fellow veteran defender Frankie Sanfilippo to shore up the back line following Sunday’s 3-2 defeat.

OTT- Tom Heinemann

Heinemann’s first goal of the season proved crucial for Fury FC in a 1-0 victory over Minnesota for their first win of the season. The goal helped Heinemann earn a place on the NASL Team of the Week with teammate Rafael Alves.

OTT- Rafael Alves

Former Strikers defender Rafael Alves is looking to make an impression this weekend against his former team. Alves is coming off a strong game helping Ottawa’s back line shut out Minnesota, 1-0, while contributing two shots on target. Alves was named to the NASL Team of the Week for his performance this past weekend.