| Full name | Fort Lauderdale Strikers | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1977 | ||
| Dissolved | 1983 | ||
| Stadium | Lockhart Stadium Fort Lauderdale, Florida Hollywood Sportatorium (indoor) Pembroke Pines, Florida (Capacity: 20,450/15,532 (indoor)) |
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| League | North American Soccer League | ||
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Fort Lauderdale Strikers was an American soccer team, a descendant of the Washington Darts, Miami Gatos, and Miami Toros, that played in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The Strikers were members of the North American Soccer League from 1977 to its penultimate year, 1983. They also played two NASL indoor seasons in 1979-1980 and 1980-1981. They were owned by Joe Robbie who also owned the Miami Dolphins.
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The first major signing for Ft Lauderdale was England goalkeeping legend Gordon Banks. Banks was the top keeper in the league his first year despite being blind in one eye.
The legendary George Best signed for the Strikers midway through the 1978 season after falling out with the management at the Los Angeles Aztecs. Best played for the rest of the 1978 season and the whole of 1979's campaign.
In 1979 the Strikers signed Peruvian legend Teófilo Cubillas, who would play with the club until their departure for Minnesota in 1983. 1979 was a bumper year for the Strikers as they also acquired German centre forward Gerd Müller. These former World Cup stars helped the Strikers reach the Soccer Bowl, the NASL's championship match, in 1980 where they lost to the New York Cosmos 3-0.
After the 1983 season, the Strikers were moved to Minnesota and became the Minnesota Strikers. That club survived the end of the NASL by joining the Major Indoor Soccer League in 1984, but did eventually fold in 1988.
Ray Hudson, Phil Schoen and Jeff Rusnak were recently interviewed regarding their memories of the Strikers.
| Year | Record | Regular Season Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 19-7 | 1st, Eastern Division, American Conference | Divisional Playoff |
| 1978 | 16-14 | 3rd, Eastern Division, American Conference | American Conference Finals |
| 1979 | 17-13 | 2nd, Eastern Division, American Conference | American Conference Quarterfinals |
| 1980 | 18-14 | 2nd, Eastern Division, American Conference | Runners-up |
| 1981 | 18-14 | 2nd, Southern Division | Semifinals |
| 1982 | 18-14 | 1st, Southern Division | Semifinals |
| 1983 | 14-16 | 2nd, Southern Division | Quarterfinals |
NASL Championships
Division Titles
Coach of the Year
All-Star First Team Selections
All-Star Second Team Selections
All-Star Honorable Mentions
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