In a repeat of last year's NSL championship final, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers failed again to defeat NSL champions Minnesota Stars FC, leaving only with a 0-0 score line.

The match was a breathless encounter played in front of a packed Lockhart Stadium here in Fort Lauderdale. The visitors dominated the first 15 minutes, requiring some outstanding defense by Strikers' central defender Tony Ståhl, who made some important tackles and blocks to keep the visitors at bay. It was not until the 23rd minute of play when the Strikers lashed back with Jamaican left back Lance Laing, who overlapped brilliantly down the left and delivered a dangerous cross to center forward Andy Herron. Herron went for an acrobatic volley finish, but failed to connect. For the remainder of the first half, both keepers were also called upon to make important stops.

The second half saw the Strikers take control, but like the first half they struggled against the Minnesota Stars' goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel, who made some brilliant saves – one diving low to his left and another diving full stretch to his right to parry away a ferocious 25-meter drive. The Strikers' goalkeeper Matt Glaeser was also summoned in the 63rd minute to keep out a 18-yard strike by Minnesota's Simone "Bracca" Bracalello.

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers will next face the San Antonio Scorpions on Saturday, April 21 at the Heroes Stadium in San Antonia, Texas. They will return home to Lockhart Stadium to play against the Puerto Rico Islanders on Wednesday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m.