Historic night in Tampa as Fort Lauderdale Strikers come from behind to take Coastal Cup
Fort Lauderdale Strikers won their first Coastal Cup in St. Petersburg tonight as they came from two goals down to beat Tampa Bay Rowdies 3-2.
Since 2010, there has only been one winner of the Coastal Cup in Florida and after 38 minutes of tonight’s Florida Derby it looked like history was going to repeat itself. Tampa Bay Rowdies have won each cup since the modern day series began and when Tamika Mkandawire amd Darel Russell struck in the 11th and 38th minutes to give Tampa a two goal lead it looked like the cup would stay in Tampa for another year.
The Strikers had other ideas though and fought back through two goals from Fafa Picault in the 43rd and 44th minutes on the stroke of half time to level the game. Shawn Chin (pictured above) then added a crucial third goal in the 56th minute and with it, sealed the Coastal Cup for Fort Lauderdale for the first time.
Head Coach Gunter Kronsteiner (top picture) said: “I’m pleased to have won the trophy and for the fans. It was an important game to win and I’m very happy tonight.”
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