Here’s my first story from my iPad, here it goes.
Tonight from the historic Lockhart Stadium the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup kicked off for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, did anybody care? The US Open doesn’t get the respect it rightly deserves at any level.
The Strikers and Fresno Fuego took to a rain soaked pitch in a front of a small collection of diehard Ultras and Flight 19 faithful. Fresno came out very well organized while the red and gold played very sloppy soccer. There were give always aplenty by the Strikers giving the Fuego several chances.
That all ended when Aly Hassan put the ball in the back of the net when Darnell Kings cross fell to him. Fort Lauderdale ended the first half 1-0 and trekked to the locker room to get an earful from Coach Shore.
Fuego obviously had the chat that the Strikers needed as they came out strong and split two Strikers defenders to even up the score. The Fuego celebration didn’t last long when the Scott Lorenz took a free kick that Aly got on the end of to take the lead back. Shortly thereafter that free kick Mark Anderson took another from 30 yards and watched it sail right into the net.
Mark Anderson wasn’t finished taking shots as he shot one that rebounded right to Hassan for is second career hat-trick to make the game 4-1 for the Strikers. Restrepo came into the game and was apparently feeling left out as he dribbled one in the net to make it 5-1. The Fuego wasn’t going down without a fight as they put in an easy ball to make it 5-2. Goals kept coming as Restrepo crossed in a ball to Polo Morales making it 6-2. Holy cow I thought I was done writing this when Polo scores another for the final score 7-2.
At the end of the night the USOC came and went from Lockhart Stadium with a whisper. The lack of respect this Cup gets is a shame and US Soccer should be ashamed as should those fans that don’t show up. You missed a hell of a game.
Now the Strikers have the chance to travel to San Jose to take on MLS’s San Jose Earthquakes. That is why this Cup is important, lower level teams get to take on and possibly take down the big boys. Hell even the Ultras Futbolito Club could win the US Open if only we could win a game.