NASL FC Edmonton

Eddies Draw 2-2 against Newcastle United U-21

Published on March 18, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


FC Edmonton in Training
FC Edmonton in Training
(FC Edmonton)

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, UK - FC Edmonton (2-1-0) remained undefeated through three preseason matches, after coming back from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Premier League's Newcastle United U-21 squad. The Friday, Mar. 18 match at Newcastle United Academy grounds featured arguably the highest profile opponent the Eddies have faced in team history.

Newcastle's Luke Charmin and Callum Roberts registered goals for the home side, while Newcastle Academy product Tomi Ameobi and teammate Sadi Jalali responded with goals of their own in the first and second halves of play, respectively. Ben Smith tended to goalkeeping duties for United, while Matt VanOekel and Nathan Ingham shared duties in net for the Eddies.

A mixed bag of weather greeted both teams as play got underway on Friday afternoon at Newcastle. The first opportunity of the contest came just four minutes in, as FC Edmonton's Gustavo and a hard strike on goal sailed inches above the crossbar.

Five minutes later, Newcastle would go up 1-0. Working into the attacking third, the young trio of Dan Ward, Callum Williams and Charmin connected to send their team up a goal.

The Eddies were able to generate a flurry of opportunities in front of 'keeper Smith, with midfielder Sainey Nyassi sending a cross inside the box to Ameobi, who settled the ball before sending it just wide. Eddies defenders Mallan Roberts and Albert Watson both looked poised to level the score with two more attempts from the air that fell just shy of a game-tying goal.

After surviving several close calls from the visiting Eddies, Newcastle was able to double their lead off a curling left-footed strike from Roberts in the 31st minute.

Despite being down a pair, the Eddies continued to push forward, and were rewarded with a goal on 37 minutes. Playing in front of family and at his old Academy grounds, Ameobi received a perfectly weighted, diagonal cross from Johann Smith before sending the ball to the back of the net.

The teams would head into the half with Newcastle leading 2-1.

After additional chances to level the match off the feet of Daryl Fordyce, Pablo Cruz and Nyassi, the Eddies were rewarded with a tying goal on 72 minutes. Forward Jake Keegan's cross into the box was met by Jalali, who finished on target to draw the game even at 2-2.

Despite additional chances from the Eddies, Jalali's goal would be the final goal for either side. The two sides would play to a draw in the Eddies third preseason match of 2016. Next up, Queens Park FC.

"I was extremely happy with how we played at times today," FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller explained. "We missed and created some incredible chances today...I was very, very happy with how we reacted going two goals down. We never stopped playing and never stopped doing the right thing."

Join the Eddies on their two-week preseason trip! Use the hashtags #FCEinScotland and #FCEd to stay connected and view exclusive content straight from Scotland. To learn more about the Eddies' preseason trip, please click HERE.

Following their trip to Scotland, the Eddies return to Edmonton for just over a week before opening up their North American Soccer League (NASL) season on April 2 versus Rayo OKC. The team faces Minnesota United FC, April 10 in their Canadian Tire Home Opener, 2:00 p.m. MT at Clarke Field. For tickets and more information, please call 780.700.2600, visit www.fcedmonton.com.

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FC Edmonton in Training
FC Edmonton in Training
   



North American Soccer League Stories from March 18, 2016


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