PLAYER OF THE WEEK | Strikers Midfielder Ramón Núñez
Fort Lauderdale Strikers midfielder Ramón Núñez turned in one of the top individual performances of the season on Saturday, capping it off with a thunderous game-winning free kick in his club’s 2-1 win over Rayo OKC. For his efforts, the Honduran international has been named North American Soccer League (NASL) Player of the Week.
“To be named NASL Player of the Week is a great honor,” Núñez said. “I’d like to give credit to my coaches and teammates. It was everyone’s hard work as a team that made it possible over the weekend.”
In addition to scoring Fort Lauderdale’s all-important goal, Núñez was everywhere on Saturday night, creating five chances, firing off four shots (two of which hit the crossbar), completing 28 of his 33 passes, and amassing 50 touches overall.
After forward Jose Angulo opened the scoring for the Strikers midway through the first half, Núñez nearly doubled the visitors’ lead in the 37th minute, only to see his shot rattle off the crossbar. With the game knotted at 1-1 in the 70th minute, the 30-year-old midfielder finally put his name on the scoresheet, smashing a swerving free kick past Rayo OKC goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes to put Fort Lauderdale up, 2-1. Núñez nearly found the net for a second time in the 74th minute, but the woodwork was again there to deny him.
“It is a well-deserved honor for Ramón to be named Player of the Week,” said Strikers head coach and general manager Caio Zanardi. “He has fit right into the team since joining us, and over the last four games, he has made us better in the attack. Ramón is a gifted player who has worked hard to help the team improve every game, and we’re very happy with his performance.”
The victory in Oklahoma City was yet another example of the Strikers’ improving form. The club is unbeaten in its last three, picking up a pair of impressive road wins and piling up a total of seven points during that stretch. Núñez has been a catalyst for the Strikers’ recent success, having just signed with the club on April 19.
Núñez, who has made 44 appearances for the Honduran national team, is a well-traveled professional with experience playing for clubs in Honduras, Mexico, England, Costa Rica, and the U.S. Born in Tegucigalpa, Núñez grew up in Texas and played one season at Southern Methodist University before being drafted by Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas in 2004.
Fort Lauderdale will look to continue its ascent up the NASL Spring Season Standings this Friday when they pay a visit to Ottawa Fury FC at TD Place. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the game can be seen live on ESPN3 (U.S.) and NASL.com (Canada).
