Fort Lauderdale strikes quickly after delay to tie Carolina RailHawks
After a lengthy weather delay, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers charged back to deny the Carolina RailHawks three points in a 1-1 draw Wednesday night in the NASL.
The first half was sloppy offensively for both teams, but tactical changes during the halftime break made the second half a different game. Carolina (3-2-6, W-L-T) was the only team to immediately reap the benefits for their efforts after Neil Hlavaty put a one-timer rocket into the top right corner in the 53rd minute. A string of passes following a Tiyi Shipalane takeaway gave the RailHawks the opportunity.
About a minute after the lightning delay, Fort Lauderdale’s Stefano Pinho chipped a shot over RailHawks goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald to tie the score at 1-1.
“I have to be honest with you, I thought ‘We were out already.’ For an away team … I think we deserved this point,” Fort Lauderdale coach Günter Kronsteiner said.
Carolina was able to put pressure on Fort Lauderdale’s (3-3-5, W-L-T) backs right before halftime, with Shipalane and Blake Wagner wreaking havoc on the offensive end that set the tone for Hlavaty’s goal.
Wagner started in place of midfielder Wells Thompson, who picked up his third yellow card against Minnesota on Saturday.
Turning point: Play was suspended in the 75th minute (9:09 p.m.) because of lightning and an onslaught of rain that drenched the WakeMed Soccer Park pitch. Play resumed at 10:55 p.m., with the Strikers scoring about a minute later.
“The worst thing that could’ve happened to us was the delay,” RailHawks coach Colin Clarke said. “We were starting to take control.”
Three who mattered
Connor Tobin, Carolina: Tobin proved crucial in helping Carolina’s defense, routinely shutting down Fort Lauderdale’s counterattacks and fast-break opportunities. Tobin’s sliding effort in the 57th minute disrupted a Strikers’ chance at an equalizer.
Tiyi Shipalane, Carolina: Despite not recording a goal or assist, every Carolina attack seemed to originate from Shipalane’s spot on the right wing, including Carolina’s goal in the 53rd minute.
Josh Ford, Fort Lauderdale: Ford made two acrobatic saves in stoppage time to effectively secure the draw for the Strikers.
Observations
▪ The RailHawks donned black bands on their left arm in honor of Futty Danso’s mother, who passed away Tuesday.
▪ Clarke left veteran striker Nacho Novo out of the starting lineup in favor of Simone Bracalello, who had made NASL team of the week the for his performance against Minnesota on Saturday. Novo was listed as a substitute and remained on the sideline until the 87th minute. Bracalello assisted the RailHawks’ lone goal.
▪ The match was the debut of NASL’s new “Wednesday Night Soccer” schedule that is set to be broadcasted live on ONE World Sports each week.
This story was originally published July 8, 2015 at 11:29 PM with the headline "Fort Lauderdale strikes quickly after delay to tie Carolina RailHawks."