RECAP | Strikers 0, Silverbacks 0

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Atlanta Silverbacks played to a scoreless draw Saturday night at Lockhart Stadium despite the Strikers controlling much of the action. The game was Fort Lauderdale’s first home match after consecutive games in Canada.

The Strikers (2W-1D-2L, seven points) had the night’s best scoring chance in the 71st minute when Stefano Pinho’s header from close range hit the post before the Silverbacks defense scrambled to clear the ball for a corner kick.

Fort Lauderdale controlled play throughout the second half, but could not cash in on several opportunities. Manny Gonzalez tested goalkeeper Steward Ceus in the 59th minute with a powerful shot from distance. Ceus finished with four saves.

“We were trying to break them down, but we couldn’t,” Gonzalez said. “It was a good effort from us. The team played well, it was just a matter of putting them in the goal.”

The home side also had the initiative for the better part of the first half.

Gonzalez was on target in the 24th minute. Dani Sánchez lofted shot from distance that forced Ceus to crash into the goalpost as the Atlanta keeper  tipped the ball over the bar.

Both clubs remain level on points with seven each after five games in the NASL Spring Season. Atlanta (1-4-0, seven points) remains unbeaten after playing to their fourth draw of the year.

The match outcome runs the Strikers unbeaten streak against Atlanta to six games (3-3-0) and stretches the all-time series record between the two sides to 5-6-5.  

Fort Lauderdale remains in third place in the NASL Spring Season standings.

The Strikers utilized the same ten field players from last week’s 3-1 win in Ottawa. The only change in the starting lineup was the return of goalkeeper David Meves, who replaced the injured Joe Nasco. Meves made two saves and earned his first shutout of the season.

Fort Lauderdale attempted 11 shots, while Atlanta had eight tries. The Strikers also forced 10 corner kicks to the Silverbacks' four.

The Strikers will have a bye week before hitting the road again for an in-state derby against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on May 16 at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla.