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NASL FC Edmonton

Eddies earn 1-1 draw with Minnesota after impressive second half performance

August 8, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


FC Edmonton (3W-3D-3L) remains undefeated on the road after a 1-1 draw against Minnesota United FC, Aug. 8 at NSC Stadium in North American Soccer League (NASL) action. The two sides sit in a 2-2 deadlock after leg two of the three-leg, supporter-run Flyover Cup.

Minnesota received their lone goal from Christian Ramirez, while the visiting Eddies saw Tomi Ameobi levelling the match with his sixth goal of the season.

Minnesota came close to opening the scoring on 14 minutes when Juliano Vincentini fired a shot into a crowded box. Gregg Jordan redirected the ball and forced Edmonton goalkeeper Matt VanOekel into an acrobatic save.

Eddies earned a chance just before the half hour mark when Ameobi was sent through. The forward took a touch into the box, but Minnesota 'keeper Mitch Hildebrandt was there to make the save.

Minnesota's Khalif Alhassan playmaking abilities were also on display in the half, dribbling inwards in the attacking third before finding teammate Vincentini with a through ball, who's shot from inside the box went high.

Both sides would head to the dressing room scoreless.

Minnesota earned a penalty kick to open the second half after Eddie Johann Smith brought down his mark inside the box. Ramirez would step up and convert to give the home side a 1-0 lead.

The Eddies came close to equalizing shortly after when Laing crossed the ball towards Ritchie Jones, but the midfielders flick on attempt would go off the face of Hildebrandt.

Thiago de Freitas came close to scoring his first goal for the Eddies on 63 minutes off a free kick, but his curling was stopped by a diving Hildebrandt.

The Eddies would equalize the match on 71 minutes after Laing sprinted down the left wing and found a sliding Ameobi with a low cross. Ameobi poked the ball passed Hildebrandt. Ameobi's goal would make him level with Laing for the Eddies top scorer with six.

Late opportunities for both sides in the second half would fall short as the match would finish in a 1-1 draw, moving the Eddies up into third-place in the Fall Season standings.

"I thought the game was a fantastic advertisement for the NASL," FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller stated. "It was a big crowd and a nice playing surface and I'm just so proud of our players, it is such a very, very, valuable point for us. Our second half performance was fabulous."

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North American Soccer League Stories from August 8, 2015


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