Strikers Knock Off Rowdies

     The Fort Lauderdale Strikers remained undefeated in the NASL fall season as they beat the Tampa Bay Rowdies 3-1 at Al Lang Stadium on Saturday. The Strikers had tied in their previous three games prior to tonight. It was the second time in the last three games that Fort Lauderdale was victorious on the road in Tampa Bay.
     This was the second of a three-game series between the clubs in the Florida Derby. The Strikers have an aggregate goal lead of 3-2 after two games and meet the Rowdies one more time on August 15 at Lockhart Stadium for the Coastal Cup. The Rowdies won the Coastal Cup four consecutive years until the Strikers captured it in 2014.
     Fort Lauderdale(1-0-3) scored first in the 16th minute when PC tapped in the ball from close range. Bruno Nunes made it 2-0 during the 79th minute when he streaked down the right side and fired a shot toward the far post.
     Maicon Santos followed up in the 90th minute for Tampa Bay(1-3-0) with a goal on a chip pass by Freddy Adu, who made his NASL and Rowdies debut. Stefano Pinho wrapped up the contest for the Strikers with his sixth goal of the season a couple of minutes later during injury time.