Strikers 0 –Puerto Rico Islanders 2
A miserable performance led to 2-0 defeat to the Islanders Saturday night. The Strikers, though employing periods of possession, failed to create many chances, and they were unable to cope with the speed and width of the Islanders or to create any really dangerous chances of their own.
Strikers (2-3-2)
Glaeser
Granado Stewart Stahl Laing (Pecka)
Shanosky
Morales (Otte) Lorenz
Restrepo
Anderson Hassan (Thompson)
Puerto Rico (4-1-1)
Martin
Edwards Cunnigham Needham Martinez
Richardson (DeRoux) Van Shaik Fojo Foley
Fana (Hanson) Addlery (Ramos)
In this game the Islanders lined up in what appeared to be a more conventional 4-4-2. Seldom did Fana drop back into the AM role as happened the last time the teams met. As the game played out, the Islanders were able to stretch the Strikers, especially on the counter. The FB pushed up the left side, pinning Laing back and Foley did significant damage on the right hand side with his speed and dangerous attacking runs.
The Strikers had a couple changes to the line-up. With Herron and King out, Anderson got the start—deservedly so, after scoring in the last game—but he is a poor compliment to Hassan. There was a visible lack of chemistry and thus little interplay.
Restrepo was called upon for all creativity in the midfield. He was dangerous, involved, but had absolutely no help from the forward line. Lorenz ably supported him on the left side, and, it can be said, that the most consistent performer this year has been Lorenz. What he lacks in flash, he makes up for in hard running. Morales was on the field—little more can be said. Shanosky had another sketchy game: bad passes, heavy-footedness, lack of mobility, little presence. The problem of Shanosky will need to be addressed by Shore. Without a DM able to cover ground and control the game the 4-3-1-2 is ineffective.
Stewart and Stahl appeared slow and couldn’t cope with Puerto Rico’s speedy front. Outside, Laing was ineffectual. Laing’s play hasn’t shown the combativeness of all of last season. Crosses were overhit, runs were frequently half-speed, and the demeanor was subdued, muted even. Laing isn’t the most emotional, but something seems to be amiss. Perhaps it is the frustration that he has been restrained by opponents who prevent Laing’s releasing by pressing high on the right. With Granado on the right, the Strikers’ lacked speed and defensive posture. Granado was tortured all night by Foley, who only seemed to get stronger as the night progressed. And where Laing’s crosses were consistently overhit by ten to fifteen yards, Granado’s barely entered the box. Glaeser, as always, was good. He makes the saves that keep the Strikers in the game (a tipover, a Fana one-on-one stop) but the support isn’t there.
At the half-time interview, Coach Shore said that, in the squad on the field, there were “people who didn’t come to play.” The entire effort was listless and uninspiring, especially in the final third of the field. Hopefully, the Strikers will tighten up before the coming home game a nuisance team Minnesota Stars FC.
The Strikers’ write up is here, NASL here, and Puerto Rico’s is here, and the box is here.
The Shadow Striker 