Strikers Continue Preparations for Florida Cup, Announce More Roster Moves

With the 2016 Florida Cup just around the corner, the Strikers first game is against FC Schalke 04 on January 10, 2016, the club made another round of roster moves. The Strikers will have a challenge on their hands as the Bundesliga club will be mid-season form – the German first division takes a winter break annually for six weeks.

The Fort Lauderdale team is bolstering its lineup with Aurelio Saco Vertiz, Luis Zapata, Victor Pineda, and Geison Moura. - Vertiz, 26, born in Miami to Peruvian parents, has spent his entire club career in Peru and also played for the Peru at the national level on the u-17, u-19, u-20 (as captain), and senior teams; - Pineda, 22, is a member of the US u-23 team, u-20 team, and also was a member of u-17 residency program at Bradenton, FL. Before joining the Strikers, he was with the Chicago Fire for four years, and two years with the Indy Eleven; - Zapata, 35, is a well-traveled veteran defender having that played 162 matches with Colombian power Millonarios and most recently spent time with Colorado Rapids; and - Moura, 29, is also a veteran having experience in the Major Indoor Soccer League, Singapore first division, and NASL side Minnesota United where he spent 2015.

General Manager and Head Coach Caio Zanardi said of the club additions "Each of these players brings a high quality set of skills and experiences. This experience includes time with big teams and with their country’s national teams. Together, they give strength and balance to our team."

In addition to rounding out the roster, these four players have the added benefited being either US citizens or permanent residents. Therefore, none of these signings will count against the USSF mandated seven man foreign player limit per team. Expect more roster announcements from the club in the coming days.