NASL FC Edmonton

Eddies Finish off 2014 in Third Place with Win over Atlanta Silverbacks

Published on November 2, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


EDMONTON, AB (November 2, 2014) - FC Edmonton took to the turf at Clarke Stadium for the last time in their 2014 North American Soccer League (NASL) Fall campaign on Sunday afternoon against the Atlanta Silverbacks. Coming off a heartbreaking loss in Fort Lauderdale against the Strikers last week, which saw their post-season hopes dashed, the Eddies finished the season on a high note with a 2-1 win in their final match and secured a third place finish in the NASL Fall Season standings.

Each team exchanged possession in the early going with a few scattered scoring opportunities for each side early in the match, but it was in the 17th minute that the Eddies were the first to get on the board. A cross from Eddie Edward from the right wing dropped almost perfectly to striker Tomi Ameobi inside the 6-yard-box who had time to corral it and pick his corner from point blank range to put the Eddies up 1-0.

Atlanta was quick to attempt a reply when a free kick to the left of the Eddies net in the 20th minute lead to a strike that would go off the crossbar and out of play. Minutes later in the 26th minute, the Silverbacks would have another chance when a volley off the boot of Janny Rivera was on target but would be stopped on a diving save by Eddies' backup "˜keeper Tyson Farago who was making his first professional appearance.

Minutes later in the 31st minute, FCE midfielder Neil Hlavaty was taken down inside Atlanta's penalty area. Hlavaty was awarded the penalty kick but would be denied on the shot by Silverbacks' "˜keeper Thomas Hunter. FCE was quick to redeem themselves though, when moments later in the 34rd minute a cross from the right wing was headed inside the box by Daryl Fordyce and a streaking Michael Nonni would finish on a beautiful diving header to double the Eddies' lead to 2-0 which they would maintain heading into the half.

The second half opened up with exchanged periods of possession until the 70th minute when Atlanta converted on a corner kick opportunity. Abdul Bangura received the initial kick and got the ball to cousin Shaka Bangura who would touch it past Farago to cut the Eddies' lead in half.

FCE would have some scattered scoring opportunities in the final third and "˜keeper Farago would do well in his first professional appearance to make some fantastic saves to preserve the one-goal lead. But at the final whistle, the two tallies by Ameobi and Nonni in the first half would prove enough for FCE to walk with all three points in their final match.

Despite thinking the win could have come a bit easier, FCE Head Coach Colin Miller was pleased with the Eddies' last appearance of the season.

"I do think the match could have been finished by halftime, but overall I can't criticize the players at all for their effort today and in the whole Fall Season," said Miller about the match. "All in all it was a very positive finish to the season. Hopefully we've raised the bar for next year and we do plan on bringing in some fresh faces that will hopefully add even more quality and a bit more pace to the team. That will be our job between now and the preseason."

Miller also made sure to praise young goalkeeper Tyson Farago for his fantastic debut with the club.

"For making his professional debut, it was a great performance. He's one for the future for sure and a great Canadian talent. We are very happy with the progress he's made and he's got a great attitude," said Miller about the young goalkeeper.

With their final win of the season, the Eddies finished third in the Fall Season standings and sixth in the combined season standings, which put them just three points out of a post-season position. FCE will now head into the offseason looking to regroup and start fresh come preseason time in March.

2015 FC Edmonton Season Tickets are now on sale! You don't want to miss a moment of Eddies action and you don't have to with season ticket prices starting at just $240. Early bird special ends December 15 and include a limited edition FC Edmonton Voigt ball as well as discounted VIP parking. Visit fcedmonton.com from more information or call 780.700.2600.

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