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NASL FC Edmonton

Eddies Close out Spring Home Schedule with a Win over Atlanta

May 24, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


EDMONTON, AB. (May 24, 2015) -- FC Edmonton (2W-2D-3L) jumped up the table into sixth place with a 4-2 over Atlanta Silverbacks (1W-5D-2) in North American Soccer League (NASL) action at Clarke Field in a match presented by HUB International.

The Eddies put on a show in the attacking third with goals from Lance Laing, Daryl Fordyce, Ritchie Jones and Kareem Moses. On the other side of the pitch, Atlanta received goals from Jaime Chavez and Christopher Christian.

FC Edmonton's goalkeeper John Smits had a brilliant start to the match with back-to-back saves before shutting down striker Matt Horth on a breakaway opportunity to keep the game 0-0 until the 41st minute.

The Eddies gained the advantage late in the first half after Laing's perfectly placed free kick from just outside the box sailed past the Silverbacks wall and into the corner of the net for the 1-0 lead heading into the half.

The home side increased their lead to 2-0 in the 55th minute when Laing, Tomi Ameobi and Jones all combined to add to the Eddies lead. Laing swung a ball towards the back post for Ameobi, who headed it towards Jones for the tap-in header to make it 2-0.

FC Edmonton made it 3-0 off the foot of Fordyce in the 66th minute. The Irish striker earned his third goal of the season off a free kick attempt that curled over the Atlanta wall and just past Ceus.

Atlanta broke Smits' clean sheet attempt on 76 minutes, as defender Kyle Miller lobbed a ball inside the six-yard box over Smits. Chavez was there to head the ball in between two Edmonton defenders to pull a goal back and made it 3-1.

The Eddies increased their lead once again in the 85th minute from a header by first half substitute Moses to make it 4-1 before Silverbacks defender Christian converted a cross past Smits late to make it 4-2. Two late touches by Smits' preserved the two-goal margin for the Eddies, who collected their second victory of the NASL season.

"Smits was terrific at times today," Eddies head coach Colin Miller said. "I'm pleased for him because he has worked hard. [Fordyce] has done well and I've been praising him. Ritchie Jones scored another goal by getting into the box today and I'm delighted for [Moses]. Psychologically when you look at the table we're in a better place. We play on Friday night so it's another very quick turnaround for the players."

The Eddies hit the road for an 18-day, three-game road trip beginning with Ottawa Fury FC, on Friday, May 29, 5:00 p.m. MT For tickets to the Eddies' Fall Season, call 780.700.2600.

Eddies Extend Zebie's Contract

FC Edmonton announced today the extension of defender Allan Zebie's contract through the 2017 season.

Zebie, 21, joined the FC Edmonton Academy in 2012 and signed his first professional contract in January 2015. He made his professional debut this season versus Minnesota United FC on May 2015. Since then, the Paris-born defender has started in three NASL matches this season and one Amway Canadian Championship match versus Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

"I'm really excited about Allan's future," said Eddies head coach Colin Miller."What a fantastic young man. I'm absolutely delighted for him. His success just gives kudos to our academy program. It shows that locally we're building for the future with this academy and the players that have come through it."

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