NASL FC Edmonton

Diakite, Fisk Highlight NASL Team of the Week Selections

Published on October 5, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


FC Edmonton's Pape Diakité and Ben Fisk were selected to this week's NASL Team of the Week after helping the Eddies pick up a crucial four points from contests versus Jacksonville Armada and Indy Eleven.

Here is the list of top performers from a busy week in the NASL:

GK: Trevor Spangenberg (Puerto Rico FC) - The shot-stopper was a part of back-to-back 2-1 wins for Puerto Rico FC, first against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and then Ottawa Fury FC. He made seven saves, including six in the win over Ottawa on Sunday, in Week 14 as Puerto Rico has now won three straight games.

DEF: Papé Diakité (FC Edmonton) - The central defender helped FC Edmonton keep a clean sheet in the scoreless draw against Jacksonville Armada FC in a midweek contest and played a key part in the Eddies earning a 2-1 victory over Indy Eleven on Sunday. Over the two games, Diakité made nine clearances, eight interceptions, while winning six duels and three tackles. He also scored the equalizing goal in the win over Indy.

DEF: Matt Bahner (Jacksonville Armada FC) - He played a major role in Jacksonville picking up four points in Week 14. Against FC Edmonton, he made four clearances with one interception in the draw. Bahner followed that up with four interceptions, winning five duels and all three of his tackle attempts as well making three clearances against Minnesota United in a 1-0 win Saturday night. He also scored the game-winning goal in the 88th minute.

DEF: Rhett Bernstein (Miami FC) - With Miami needing points for The Championship race, the defender scored the equalizer in the 1-1 draw with the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday. He made five interceptions and won six duels. Earlier in the week, he helped Miami earn a 2-1 win over Ottawa Fury FC, winning seven duels and making two clearances.

DEF: Futty Danso (Rayo OKC) - An ever-present member of Rayo OKC's back line, Danso provided another key performance. Defensively, the Gambian international made eight clearances and then scored the equalizing goal deep into stoppage time in the 1-1 draw the Carolina RailHawks on Sunday.

MID: Ben Fisk (FC Edmonton) - The Canadian international was vibrant in two games for the Eddies during Week 14. Fisk came off the bench on Sunday and provided the spark and game-winning goal, with a 94th-minute goal, to lift the Eddies past Indy.

MID: Ruben Bover (New York Cosmos) - The midfielder scored two goals in two key games for the Cosmos, in a pair of 2-0 wins. Bover scored the insurance goal with a strike from distance just a minute after the Cosmos took the lead against Carolina on Wednesday. Back at Shuart Stadium, he helped extend the Cosmos' home unbeaten streak, which tied a league record, with the opening goal in the win over Fort Lauderdale on Sunday. He also earned Player of the Week honors for his efforts.

MID: Andrés Flores (New York Cosmos) - The Salvadoran international had two strong games in the Cosmos' midfield. He battled throughout his time on the field in both wins for New York and also scored a goal to seal all three points against Fort Lauderdale.

MID: Eric Avila (Tampa Bay Rowdies) - He provided creativity for the Rowdies on Saturday against Miami, creating four chances for his teammates during the game. He provided the goal for Tampa Bay after cutting to his left and firing the ball home. Avila was also tidy in possession, completing 32 of his 38 pass attempts.

FWD: Sidney Rivera (Puerto Rico FC) - He battled all game long against Ottawa, winning eight of 15 duels, and was rewarded for it with a goal. His shot from distance found the back of the net to earn Puerto Rico FC a third straight win.

FWD: Vincenzo Rennella (Miami FC) - The recent arrival continued to make an impact, scoring the game-winning goal in the nick of time for a key 2-1 win over Ottawa Fury FC.

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North American Soccer League Stories from October 5, 2016


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