PREVIEW: STRIKERS VS ROWDIES

Fort Lauderdale looks for first win of season against historic rivals

Key Facts

Match:    Fort Lauderdale Strikers vs Tampa Bay Rowdies

Date: Saturday, April 30 , 2016

Kickoff:  7 p.m. ET

Venue: Lockhart Stadium

Broadcasts: SFL TV (Broward/Miami-Dade), ONE World Sports (USA)

Tickets: Click here

2016 Records:

FTL: 0-1-1 (W-T-L) 1pt; 1 GF 4 GA -3 GD

TBR: 1-0-1 (W-T-L) 3pt; 2 GF 3 GA -1 GD

Series History

First Meeting: June 29, 2011; 1-1  T  at Lockhart Stadium     

Last Meeting: August 15, 2015; 2-1  W  at Lockhart Stadium

Series History (W-T-L): 6-1-11 ( 23 GF / 36 GA;  -13 GD)

In Fort Lauderdale: 4-1-3  ( 10 GF / 11 GA; -1 GD)

In Jacksonville: 2-0-8 ( 13 GF / 25 GA; -12 GD)

Back at the #TheLock

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers are back at the #TheLock for a second consecutive game to take on original Florida and Coastal Cup rivals the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The Strikers challenged Jacksonville Armada FC last Saturday to a 1-1 draw. Trailing 1-0 and a man down following an ejection for Jean-Marc Alexandre, the home side pulled off a late equalizer when Maicon Santos headed it home after Jose Angulo delivered a superb cross for the forward.

The Strikers gave up an early goal in the 16th minute after Jacksonville’s left-back Matt Bahner netted it in for his side following a corner kick from captain Richie Ryan. In the second half Strikers midfielder and captain, Alexandre, was shown a red card in the 55th minute after a second caution. After adjustments were made, and the introduction of new signing Ramón Núñez, the home team were able to level things up.

A Florida Showdown

The Tampa Bay Rowdies suffered their first defeat of the 2016 campaign after falling to the Carolina RailHawks 3-1. The Rowdies look to bounce back when they pay a visit to the Strikers Saturday night at Lockhart. The Strikers have won four of the last five meetings against their arch rivals and come this weekend, the Red & Gold will look to continue that run.

Fort Lauderdale is expected to be boosted by the return of several players with the likes of midfielder Kléberson and center back Dalton having returned to full training and likely available for selection against Tampa Bay.

More than just points in the standings

The rivalry between both sides goes way back to the original iterations of the clubs in the 1970s and 80s. Today, the #FloridaDerby, as it is referred to it still carries out the same intensity and passion that it did back in the day.

Strikers center back Gale Agbossoumonde played for the Rowdies last season and knows the importance of this game for both the players and the fans. “Last year when I was with Tampa Bay we approached the games against the Strikers with a little more intensity. It’s an important rivalry that goes way back. It’s a tradition that we are proud of.” Maicon Santos and Diego Restrepo were also members of the Rowdies.

Saturday night at Lockhart will also bring back a few familiar faces in the shape of former Strikers players Stefan Antonijevic, Justin Chavez, Darnell King, Walter Ramírez and Frankie Sanfilippo could feature against their former side.