RECAP | Strikers 2, Armada FC 0

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers extended their unbeaten streak to six games with a 2-0 victory over the Jacksonville Armada FC in NASL action on Wednesday night at Lockhart Stadium. 

The win catapulted Fort Lauderdale to fourth place in both the NASL Fall Season and Combined Standings with 31 points and an 8W-7D-7L record on the year.

Marlon Freitas opened the scoring for the Strikers in the 17th minute with a one-time shot from the top of the box. NASL-leading goalscorer Stefano Pinho controlled an aerial pass with his chest before spotting Freitas, and leaving the ball for his Brazilian compatriot to sweep home for his fifth goal of the year.

James Marcelin sealed the victory with a goal in the 90th minute. Marcelin atoned for a missed opportunity earlier in the match when consecutive shots from close-range were denied by the Armada FC back line.

The win put Fort Lauderdale in optimal position to retain the Coastal Cup trophy, which it won for the first time last year. The Strikers now have 12 points to the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ nine points. With the defeat, Jacksonville remain without any points and are eliminated from Cup contention in the round-robin competition between the three Florida teams. The Red & Gold will see the Armada FC one final time, in the regular-season finale November 1 at Community First Park.

Fort Lauderdale goalkeeper Josh Ford earned his second consecutive shutout and third of the year for the Strikers. Ford and a stout Strikers defense kept a clean sheet Saturday in a 0-0 draw in Ottawa and also in a 2-0 win at Edmonton on August 23.

The Strikers outshot the Armada FC, 17-9, with seven shots on goal to the visitor’s lone attempt.

Jacksonville defenders Shawn Nicklaw, Lucas Rodriguez and Fabricio Ortiz were shown yellow cards, as was Dani Sanchez for Fort Lauderdale, in a chippy affair.