A Kick in the Balls

Despite the fact that winter came to a close last month, a few Canadian snowbirds still linger in South Florida, many of whom are eager to catch Alberta’s beloved FC Edmonton take on our very own Florida Strikers in a North American League Soccer showdown. On Saturday at 7:30 p.m.,...

By Victor Gonzalez

April 5, 2012

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Despite the fact that winter came to a close last month, a few Canadian snowbirds still linger in South Florida, many of whom are eager to catch Alberta’s beloved FC Edmonton take on our very own Florida Strikers in a North American League Soccer showdown. On Saturday at 7:30 p.m., both teams will duke it out under the lights of Lockhart Stadium, each vying for that coveted first win as the NALS kicks off its 2012 season. Last year, the Strikers and FC Edmonton ended the inaugural regular season of the NALS’s newly revived eight-member pack in fourth and fifth place, respectively. Both teams earned playoff bids and faced one another in the quarterfinals. The Strikers beat Edmonton 5-0 and went on to face the Puerto Rico Islanders in the two-game semis. But throughout the course of the off-season, both Edmonton and the Strikers have made key personnel changes, signing young new talent and reluctantly parting ways with longtime players. Just two weeks before the season opener, Edmonton released defender Niko Saler, while the Strikers snagged 2007 Broward County player of the year and Nova Southeastern University alum, forward Aly Hassan. Clearly, both teams are ready for battle.
Sat., April 7, 7:30 p.m., 2012

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