Post Game Thoughts on the Strikers Victory over the Islanders
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers’ remarkable run through the 2011 NASL playoffs continues following a 1-0 victory over the Puerto Rico Islanders before 4,233 fans Saturday at Lockhart Stadium.
The scoring hero was again Brian Shriver as he converted his 10th and 11th goals of the season, totaling five goals in the playoffs.
“This feels great,” Strikers coach Daryl Shore said amidst the post game celebrations. “I’m really proud of the guys tonight. They really came out and exerted a lot of energy. We got the early goal and that was important for us.”
The Strikers will play the NSC Minnesota Stars in a two-game home and away series. The first game will be played next Saturday at Minnesota with the final game at Lockhart Stadium on Oct. 29. Minnesota advanced to the finals beating Carolina 5-3 in penalty kicks after the teams tied in aggregate goals 4-4.
Shore has been maligned by the fans this season. His policy of squad rotation has been the subject of much speculation but he is now in contention for the NASL title. Some may say he doesn’t deserve the NASL Coach of the Year award, but Shore has done a magnificent job of steering this team to the finals, giving them an opportunity to win it all.
Puerto Rico looked like a team tired from international qualifiers and CONCACAF qualification. Like a boxer in the 15th round of a heavyweight boxing match, the Islanders looked worn down. It seemed that once Matt Glaeser saved a point blank shot off of Jonathan Fana in the first half, the game was beyond reach for Puerto Rico.
As reported elsewhere on IMS the Strikers won 2-1, but the result mattered little given the 5-2 aggregate win for the Strikers.
I was surprised at how subdued the ambiance was at the post-game party. I would have figured there would have been a celebration much like the Minnesota Stars had after clinching a playoff spot. However there were no renditions of “Wonderwall” for the Strikers last night.
I traveled to a nearby Hooters restaurant (corporate sponsor of the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers) in hopes of getting a few quotes from the players. None of them were willing to speak about the match on the record.
There were fewer players than usual and of the ones who did show up many were not even in the starting line-up. I tried to get a few on-record quotes about the Minnesota Stars but to no avail. The Strikers simply weren’t willing to get baited into a “locker room scenario” with the Stars.
It’s my belief the Strikers are very focused with the task at hand and believe their job is not yet done. Fort Lauderdale will not take the Stars lightly nor will they automatically think they have won the title.
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The caoch or one of the lockerroom leaders may might have told the Strikers to be happy but not be “too satified” with the victory.
Man, they bailed on going to Hooters?!?!
YB – I’ve been to these post party events all year and I can honestly say I didn’t expect the reaction to be so muted. Maybe I was expecting a rendition of “I Will Survive” or “Wonderwall” ala the Stars but there was none of it.
Heck, Luiz Muzzi, Daryl Shore, Jim Rooney and Ricardo Lopes were all in attendance enjoying a much deserved post game beverage.
I counted seven players at various points of the evening in attendance. More have come out after a tough loss.
I guess the players have had enough turkey and bacon sandwiches washed down with a complimentary Coors Light for the season. Who knows if a downtown Ft. Lauderdale bar or a nightclub on South Beach which had a large influx of pro soccer players for the evening?
Thanks for the comment.
Congratulations on the victory and best of luck to Ft. lauderdale in the finals.
@Armando – Good piece! You’ve done a great job covering the Strikers at IMS this season! I am definitely one Striker Liker that would NOT give a Coach of the Year award to Coach Shore. His squad rotation during the year was not at all effective. The unbeaten run of 7 games I believe it was in the second half of the season that really boosted the Strikers playoff position was a product of him slowing down that player carousel for awhile I think. And you’ll notice that his lineup his been as consistent as it has been all year for these three playoff games, with only Mayen and Pecka trading spots as starters, and Palacio and Chacho. To me this was huge. When you put your best guys on the field, and you do it with consistency, good results are bound to be more likely.
I expect to see virtually the same lineup vs. the Stars Saturday, barring any injuries. Restrepo took a couple of pretty nasty knocks Saturday, so hopefully he’s ok. I still think Mayen brings more as a two way player than Pecka does, but I have no idea why he’s been out the last two games.
I like what you said about the muted atmosphere of the coaches and players following this win. I think it does show focus on the fact that the job is not yet done. Looking at things on paper, the Strikers could not have asked for a better road to a possible Cup. But you still have to go out and play the games, and you have to do so with respect for your opponents. I’ve seen a very focused team the first three playoff games. If they stay that way, and continue to play at this level which has been better than anything we’ve seen from them all year, I think they should win out. One thing is for sure though, it’s going to be real damn exciting to watch! Go Strikers!!!!!
The party after the game is in the parking lot not at Hooters. The Players usually come out to meet us before they head out.
Hopefully next year they move the after party to one of the pubs close to the stadium. It makes more sense.
@Uncle Ed – Might make more sense, but we all know the importance of the Strikers getting sponsorship dollars from businesses like Hooters……
^Yeah.
What was up with your one cheerleader who was throwing the bedroom eyes at the camera when she was shaking her pom-poms and purred “Go Strikers!” I think that it was at half-time. I tried to find it on the archived video but I couldn’t (much to my dismay).
Does Hotters supply any of the Striker Girls???
@yankiboy – I’m pretty sure the Strikers girls are Hooters girls earning some extra cash. There were a bunch at the events leading up to the season and on opening day, but they dwindled to usually two for most of the rest of the games. Not that I noticed of course, especially at the games my wife attended with me…..LOL