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FC Edmonton Snaps Minnesota United FC's Unbeaten Streak

August 31, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release


NEW YORK (August 31, 2014) - Heading into the weekend, Minnesota United FC and the San Antonio Scorpions were the North American Soccer League's hottest teams, but they were each brought back down to earth in Week 8 of the Fall Season. The Scorpions were shut out by the Fort Lauderdale Strikers at Lockhart Stadium on Friday night, while United saw its 11-game unbeaten streak snapped in a loss to FC Edmonton on Sunday afternoon.

Elsewhere, the Atlanta Silverbacks and Tampa Bay Rowdies notched key road wins on Saturday night, and up until the final moments of the game in Indianapolis, it looked like the New York Cosmos would do the same. A late goal for Indy Eleven clinched a share of the points, however, forcing the Cosmos to settle for a draw.

Sunday, August 31

FC Edmonton 2, Minnesota United FC 1

FC Edmonton ascended to fourth place in the Fall Season Standings with a 2-1 win over United at Clarke Stadium. The Loons came to Edmonton looking to extend their 11-game unbeaten streak, but the Eddies had other ideas. Forward Chad Burt broke the deadlock in the 65th minute with a cheeky flick past United goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt, and five minutes later, midfielder Lance Laing put the Eddies up 2-0 with his fourth goal in his last four games. With 10 minutes to play, United midfielder Daniel Mendes pulled one back with a stunning free kick from just outside the penalty area, but it wasn't enough for the visitors to take any points from the game.

"We're very pleased with the win because today we were playing against the Spring Season Champions, who are well-organized, well-coached, and well-prepared," said FC Edmonton Head Coach Colin Miller. "I told the guys that I don't care how we win - I just want the three pionts. Today, we made it difficult for ourselves in the first half, but in the second half, we were more competitive and looked more dangerous."

Saturday, August 30

Tampa Bay Rowdies 2, Ottawa Fury FC 0

First-half goals from forward Brian Shriver and midfielder Darel Russell earned the Tampa Bay Rowdies a crucial 2-0 win over Ottawa Fury FC at TD Place. Rowdies goalkeeper Matt Pickens was called into action on several occasions, but Fury FC simply couldn't find the net. Shriver's goal came off an assist from forward Georgi Hristov in the 29th minute, and it was followed up by a long-range blast from Russell 12 minutes later.

"We're delighted with the victory, and extra delighted that we managed to keep a clean sheet because we haven't had many of them this year," said Rowdies Head Coach Ricky Hill. "I'm happy with the performance, and I hope we can go to Minnesota next week and put on an equally good performance."

Indy Eleven 2, New York Cosmos 2

The New York Cosmos raced out to a 2-0 lead in the first half, but they couldn't hang on, playing to a 2-2 draw with Indy Eleven in front of a sellout crowd of 10,659 at Michael A. Carroll Stadium in downtown Indianapolis. Midfielder David Diosa headed in a cross from Andres Flores to put the Cosmos up 1-0 in the 6th minute. Just before halftime, the visitors found the back of the net again, with Norwegian forward Mads Stokkelien firing home a pass from new signing Danny Mwanga. Indy Eleven forward Mike Ambersley pulled one back midway through the second half, converting a pass from midfielder Victor Pineda. With just seconds to go, midfielder Jermaine Johnson chipped the ball over the head of Cosmos goalkeeper Kyle Zobeck to clinch a share of the points.

"We're really pleased with the result and the effort from our players," said Indy Eleven Head Coach Juergen Sommer. "At halftime, we had a lot to talk about, and we came out with nothing to lose. We knew we needed to keep the crowd in it and play with energy, and once Ambersley scored, we really felt that we could get the equalizer."

Atlanta Silverbacks 2, Carolina RailHawks 0

For the first time in the NASL Modern Era, the Atlanta Silverbacks left Cary, N.C. with a victory. Second-half goals from midfielder Junior Sandoval and defender Ryan Roushandel gave the Silverbacks a 2-0 win over the Carolina RailHawks at WakeMed Soccer Park. It was Atlanta's first ever road win in Carolina. Sandoval beat RailHawks goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald with a beautiful strike in the 63rd minute, and 12 minutes later, Roushandel blasted a free kick into the net from nearly 30 yards out.

"We were fortunate. I thought the second goal was a very good strike," said Silverbacks Head Coach Jason Smith. "The game was very even, but I thought we picked up our pace a little bit, got the ball wide a little better, and I think that was the difference in the game."

Friday, August 29

Fort Lauderdale Strikers 2, San Antonio Scorpions 0

In the lone Friday night game, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers earned a 2-0 home win over the San Antonio Scorpions, who came to Lockhart Stadium holding the top spot in the NASL Fall Season Standings. The Strikers controlled the game from the outset, and a goal from forward Fafa Picault sent them on their way just before halftime. Picault had forced a number of saves out of Scorpions goalkeeper Josh Saunders early in the game, and finally beat him with a shot off the post in the 43rd minute.

The Strikers were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half when forward Aly Hassan was shown a straight red card, but that didn't stop them from getting a second goal. Midfielder Mark Anderson's free kick beat Saunders in the 79th minute to give the Strikers a 2-0 lead that they would hold on to for the rest of the game.

NASL Fall Season Week 8 Scores

Tampa Bay Rowdies 2, Ottawa Fury FC 0

Indy Eleven 2, New York Cosmos 2

Atlanta Silverbacks 2, Carolina RailHawks 0

Fort Lauderdale Strikers 2, San Antonio Scorpions 0

FC Edmonton 2, Minnesota United FC 1

FC Edmonton's Eddie Edward fights for the ball against Minnesota United FC's Cristiano Dias.

2014 NASL Fall Season Standings

2014 NASL Combined Standings

Tiebreakers: 1.) Goal difference 2.) Goals scored 3.) Head-to-head 4.) Away goal difference 5.) Away goals scored

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North American Soccer League Stories from August 31, 2014


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