http://www.nasl.com/article/uuid/1w...-after-life-changing-israel-stay#.VOR7Xxz3nVw Fort Lauderdale Strikers defender Ryan Adeleye is retuning to the United States after a life-changing stint in Israel. Splitting time between Hapoel Be’er Sheva and Hapoel Ashkelon, he is now set for his first professional playing experience in the U.S.
http://www.sbisoccer.com/2015/02/ronaldo-retirement-play.html NASL playoffs are in November, when Ronaldo could return, assuming the Strikers qualify.
Strange, this story is from 5 days ago and tells a different story : Brazil legend Ronaldo set to step up comeback bid http://www.ca2015.com/en/news/brazi...tep-up-comeback-bid/10yyw0mlag6e1be9ejmm80c8k "Ronaldo’s target is to be in good enough shape to play in a friendly match against a team led by Zinedine Zidane in April. Provided his fitness regime remains on course, he would then look to represent the Strikers in the second half of their domestic campaign." I say play the friendly and call it a day, Ronaldo's been out of the game and shape way too long.
http://www.nasl.com/article/uuid/15...razilian-international-leo-moura#.VQnAVxDF-pd The Fort Lauderdale Strikers announced Wednesday the signing of Brazil international and Flamengo captain Leonardo da Silva Moura, widely known simply as Léo Moura, pending an international transfer clearance.
http://www.strikers.com/news/2015/03/30/strikers-sign-midfielder-christian-blandon The Strikers added local midfielder Christian Blandon yesterday for their 22nd player on the roster.
So at the beginning of this thread people were skeptic about the Strikers and the new ownership. As of today, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers are on 3rd spot. Has the way the fans see the team and owners changed?
I'll admit it, I was skeptical...when they arrived, would they be another Traffic? The jury is still out on the team's on-field product (no size on the back line, questionable goal scoring punch up top)...BUT the new management has elevated the game day and stadium experience--big screen video w/ replay, sideline seat reconfiguration w/ rail and drinkholders, some new paint, return of the food trucks and --FINALLY- some team magnets/license plate frames!!! Uniform tweaks were great too (but put a black collar on the home jersey--class it up like the original Strikers wore...). Great opening night crowd and the last two matches appear to have drawn more than last year's average of 4000. Overall, an A effort for the off the field stuff, B- for the team itself.
I have to be honest... still keeping an open mind and will hold judgement until the end of the year. What I will say is that the game day experience has definitely improved for the games I have been able to go to this year. Still confused about the players/coaching situation though. They have definitely brought some talent in and the signing of Moura was a good move to reach out to the Brazilian community... but I am still confused why they opted to get rid of Kronsteiner (nevermind the players) for Neveleff. I am assuming the wage bill is bigger than it was last year, imagine what Gunter could have done with this group of players along with some of the ones that had left (King, Anderson, Antonijevic).