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.

Pro Soccer returns to Fort Lauderdale

The New Fort Lauderdale Strikers & team mascot Hot Shot,

during the inaugural pregame cememonies.

Photo by Jon van Woerden

A picture perfect sunset ushered in the the inaugural game of the new Fort Lauderdale Strikers at Lockhart Stadium, home to prior generations of this fabled team. The players, donning a very attractive asymmetrical version of the traditional "Bumble Bee" jersey (sporting additional horizontal stripes and a new logo), played with passion against an equally inspired opponent from the New NASL's Canadian component. After a hard fought first half, the Strikers rewarded the enthusiastic crowd of 6400 with their first goal in the 48th minute, a Martyn Lancaster header off a cross from Eduardo Coudet. It was actually quit fitting that the first goal was scored by a Brit, paying homage to the heavy British makeup of the original NASL Strikers of 1978.

Fort Lauderdale Strikers' captain, Aaron Hohlbein (22)

& Paulo LePetit (7) rejoice with goalscorer Martyn Lancaster.

Photo by Jon van Woerden

FC Edmonton replied with a goal 6 minutes later and then again in the 67th minute, with both teams pushing hard towards the final whistle, with the Strikers' efforts being denied by Rein Baart's goalkeeping. The Strikers take on the Minnesota Stars at Lockhart at 8:30 on Friday, April 15th and then on May 14th host cross state rivals, FC Tampa Bay. This match vs the Rowdies should bring back great memories of the classic derbies between the previous incarnations of both teams.

Strikers' Mike Palacio vs FC Edmonton's Eddy Sidra.

Photo by Jon van Woerden

To view a complete gallery of this match, visit

Jon-van-woerden.photoshelter.com

Three's A Charm

Dutch fans have reason to rejoice! © Jon van Woerden

As you noticed by now, many of my blogs on current events are twisted into opportunities for me to share some of my favorite photographs, past, present and future. Thus, it was with this in mind that I was rooting for Germany to defeat Spain, advancing to the final and meeting the Netherlands in a rematch of the 1974 World Cup final in Munich. I've had the pleasure of being an acquaintance of two of the hero's of that match, being team photographer for both the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, when Gerd Mueller began his NASL years and later when Johan Neeskens starred for the Fort Lauderdale Sun in the short lived USL. Well as you know by now it won't be Germany in a rematch of that infamous '74 match, but a contest that will, one way or the other, add the name of only the 8th country to ever win it, to the bottom of the FIFA World Cup. Spain may be a formidable opponent, but for the Netherlands its.... well, shall we say.... "Third Time's A Charm" '74, '78, 2010 . As for Neeskens and Mueller below are the pics and if you missed ESPN's broadcast of "I Scored a Goal in a World Cup Final" check out this web site presenting awesome vignettes of both of these player's glorious moments along with goals of the other 32 living players who can make that claim. Hup Holland! After the final whistle blows and Holland brings home the Gold one might well retreat into Soccer withdrawl, do yourself a favor and after you've viewed as much Tivo as one can handle tune in to ESPN's repeat airing of "The Two Escobars" on Sept 18th.

Johan Neeskens with the USL's Fort Lauderdale Sun in 1985

© Jon van Woerden

Gerd Mueller in 1979 with the NASL Fort Lauderdale Strikers

© Jon van Woerden