In the first of two meetings in six days between FC Tampa Bay and Fort Lauderdale, a 92nd-minute goal by Strikers midfielder Eduardo Coudet off a free kick gave the home side a 1-1 draw Wednesday at Lockhart Stadium.
The game was scheduled for May 14, but was postponed because of inclement weather in the Fort Lauderdale area.
FC Tampa Bay goalkeeper Jeff Attinella faced a barrage of Strikers attacks in the first half, but he kept Fort Lauderdale off the score sheet until the final minutes. He finished with four saves.
Attinella also had a hand in FC Tampa Bay's goal. After collecting a corner kick, Attinella gave a long distribution pass to midfielder Tsuyoshi Yoshitake, who put a through ball to Mike Ambersley behind the Strikers defense, setting him up for a one-on-one with Fort Lauderdale goalkeeper Matt Glaeser. Ambersley slotted home his team-leading sixth goal of the season.
FC Tampa Bay held the lead until second-half stoppage time, when Fort Lauderdale was awarded a free kick from the edge of the 18-yard box. Coudet sent his free kick over the defensive wall and past the outstretched hands of a diving Attinella to earn a point for the Strikers and extend their unbeaten streak to seven.
The Strikers had a chance to win less than a minute later when Attinella was caught off his line, but FC Tampa Bay captain Frankie Sanfilippo was on the goal line to keep the ball out of the net and preserve the draw.
FC Tampa Bay hosts the Strikers on Monday night at Al Lang Stadium.
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