PREVIEW | Rowdies vs. Strikers

Fort Lauderdale Strikers played a scoreless draw against the Atlanta Silverbacks on May 2 at Lockhart Stadium, and now face the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday in the first Florida Derby of the season. The Strikers’ trip to St. Petersburg comes following Fort Lauderdale’s bye week.

The Rowdies (2W-3D-1l, 9 points) faced Ottawa Fury FC in Canada last weekend, and were unable to get on the scoreboard. The match ended in a scoreless draw at TD Place. It was Tampa Bay’s second clean sheet of the season, and the point moved them to third in the NASL Spring Season standings, one spot ahead of Fort Lauderdale.

Fort Lauderdale (2-1-2, 7) is coming into the match on a two-game win streak against the Rowdies. The Strikers recorded a 1-0 win at Lockhart in August, before capturing the Coastal Cup for the first time with a come-from-behind 3-2 victory at Al Lang Stadium last October.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FTL- Manny Gonzalez

The midfielder from Pompano Beach has forced his way into the lineup with strong performances in the last two matches, starting and playing the entirety of the Strikers’ clashes with Ottawa and Atlanta. Gonzalez has been with the Strikers since 2013 and has made four appearances against Tampa Bay, playing in two of the Strikers’ three wins against their interstate rivals.

FTL- Frankie Sanfilippo

Former Rowdies captain Frankie Sanfilippo is set to line up against his old side for the first time in Red & Gold. Sanfilippo has been a staple for the Strikers defense in 2015 The San Diego native was selected to the NASL Team of the Week following his strong defensive performance in the Strikers 0-0 draw with Atlanta on May 2.

TBR- Stefan Antonijevic

Former Strikers defender Stefan Antonijevic has started and played every minute of the Rowdies’ six games in 2015. The towering center back was named NASL Player of the Week for Week 1, and was included in the NASL Team of the Week for Spring Season Week 1, 2, and 6.

TBR- Martin Núñez

Another former Strikers player, Martin Núñez signed with the Tampa Bay Rowdies in 2014. The Rowdies midfielder has made five appearances and scored two goals, earning NASL Team of the Week selections twice this season. Núñez made 35 appearances and scored 11 goals in three seasons in Fort Lauderdale (2011, 2013-14).

QUOTABLE

Strikers coach Marcelo Neveleff: “I feel like we are more rested, and we will be able to play at a high intensity for 90 minutes. The team is looking good. The competition for places among players is unbelievable, and it will be difficult to select the top 11. It’s a great problem to have.”