On Saturday, Aug. 8, Fort Lauderdale CF earned the first victory and first points in team history after defeating South Georgia Tormenta FC 1-2 at Erk Russell Park in Statesboro, Ga.
The match was settled with a sensational 76th minute winner by South Florida-native forward Ricky Lopez-Espin, who also had the honor of scoring the first goal in team history in late July. Not only was the manner in which he scored the goal significant, a powerful strike from the halfway line, but also what the goal signified as the strike that captured three points for the first time in Fort Lauderdale CF history.
“It feels amazing. We all play this game to win and we’re all competitors on this team,” said Lopez-Espin. “We want to win every time we get on the field. It’s so gratifying that we get to reap the benefits of months of hard work that the boys and the staff have put in. It’s a great feeling and what a way to get three points on the road with a great team performance.”
“We know we have quality, but to actually get three points on the road against a tough opponent, I think it gives the players and staff the confidence that we need going forward. We’re a younger team and it kind of shows us that we can play in this league, we can get points, we can be a feared opponent and we have what it takes to show our quality. I think more than anything it’s a confidence booster for every single player on this team to show that we can do it. I think that’s going to show in our performances to come.”
With the first win in the bag, Lopez-Espin and the rest of the team are now looking forward at ways in which they can build on this success and continue to develop and improve.
“It gives us confidence. We want to win so it gives us confidence to know we can do that regardless of whether we’re playing a team with more experience or has older guys, which most teams will,” said Lopez-Espin. “I think it gives us the confidence to show we can do this.”
Securing the historic feat for the team in such spectacular fashion was an unforgettable moment for the 24-year-old forward. Lopez-Espin knows that the highlight is one that will stick with him for the remainder of his career and beyond.
“Obviously it’s a different goal than I’ve ever scored in my career. It’s one that I will probably remember forever, and I will show my kids someday. I know my family was super excited. The most important thing is to score the goal and get three points no matter if it’s a tap-in or a goal from halfway, so I was happy I was able to help the team get a win. It’s something I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
While Lopez-Espin may not have scored another goal quite like that one in his career, he felt it was something he was capable of.
“It’s obviously one of those things that you don’t know you can do until you actually do it,” he concluded. “You just have to have a little bit of bravery and courage to do it. Thankfully it went in and we got three points.”
