Sunday, May 15, 2011

Mother Nature stifles the Fort Lauderdale Strikers vs FC Tampa Bay debut



Mother Nature can't hold back a true Striker Liker!
© Jon van Woerden .com

Well, the big Fort Lauderdale Strikers vs FC Tampa Bay, NASL Soccer rivalry, debut will have to wait as mother nature dominated the night. Rain would have been okay but it was the frequent lightning that forced the postponement of the much anticipated matchup. The large crowd of Striker Likers, visiting Rowdies fans and local youth clubs sought cover from the weather but in the end it was mother nature posting the only victory.

Youth club members of The Soccer Academy & Training organization
pose with the Strikers' mascot Hot Shot minutes before the deluge.

The torrential downpour was reminiscent of the early 1980's game in Tampa Stadium. The Strikers have seen their share of tropical precipitation at home as well, as you can see in the shot below of the 1988 Fort Lauderdale Strikers.


1988 Strikers' Ray Hudson & Marcelo Carrera
ponder a free kick in the pouring rain. © Jon van Woerden

Although the start of the match was delayed numerous times due to lightning strikes, many of the fans braved the elements hoping the game would be played. In the end the weather would not break and at 10:20 PM the postponement was announced. The Strikers organization is blessed with the greatest fans and is rewarding them, not just honoring every fan's ticket for the make up game, but offering them an extra ticket to Florida’s most important soccer rivalry.

Fans that arrived early did get a chance to enjoy the pre-game friendly scrimmage of the Lauderhill Limers with the 4-1 win going to their green clad squad.