Eddies Inch Closer to Post-Season Berth with 1-0 Victory over Rowdies
September 13, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release
FC Edmonton Celebrates Goal
(FC Edmonton)
EDMONTON, AB - FC Edmonton (5-4-4) won their fifth match of the North American Soccer League (NASL) Fall Season with a 1-0 decision over Tampa Bay Rowdies (3-2-7) at Clarke Field on Sunday, Sep. 13.
Eddies captain Albert Watson scored the lone goal of the match, while goalkeeper Matt VanOekel captured his fifth clean sheet of the Fall Season. Each Edmonton victory in the Fall Season has come as a clean sheet.
The Eddies opened the match on the front foot, with their first opportunity on net occurring just two minutes in. Jamaican midfielder Lance Laing worked a free kick from a dangerous spot, but Rowdies defender Ben Sweat blocked the shot.
Tampa Bay's first chance of the match came on nine minutes of the foot of former Eddies striker Corey Hertzog. NASL assist leader Georgi Hristov put a cross into the box where Hertzog powerfully hit the ball, but Eddies goalkeeper Matt VanOekel was there to put an end to the attempt.
Watson gave the home side the lead on 17 minutes. Midfielder Dustin Corea put a corner kick into the box and Watson found the corner of Matt Pickens' net with a volley for the 1-0.
The Eddies would head into the dressing room with a 1-0 lead.
Edmonton was at it again to open the second half. Laing found midfielder Cristian Raudales on 51 minutes inside the box, but his header went out past Pickens' net.
The Rowdies answered with their best chance of the match 15 minutes later. Midfielder Juan Guerra chipped the ball over VanOekel from outside the box, but his attempt hit the corner of the crossbar.
Moments later, Pickens stood tall against a sudden flurry of shots from the home side. Eddies striker Daryl Fordyce started the play with a powerful shot that Pickens could not hold on to, forcing the 'keeper to make consecutive saves on both Laing and Nyassi rebounds.
The Eddies continued their solid defensive effort in the last 20 minutes to win the match and move into the sixth spot in NASL's combined standings with 28 points, two points out of a spot in The Championship, the league's post-season competition.
"I'm very, very pleased with the attitude of the players in terms of how we went about our work," FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller said. "Overall, it was a positive team performance here today."
FC Edmonton are on the road next Saturday, Sep. 19 against Indy Eleven at Carroll Stadium. Kick-off in Indianapolis is set for 5:30 p.m. MT. The match will be streamed online at www.fcedmonton.com across Canada. For the best deals on tickets, contact the FC Edmonton office at 780-700-2600. For more information, please visit www.fcedmonton.com.
Images from this story
 FC Edmonton Celebrates Goal |
North American Soccer League Stories from September 13, 2015
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent FC Edmonton Stories
- FC Edmonton's Kairo Coore Returns to University; Bitar Will Stay with Club for Remainder of the Season
- FC Edmonton Acquires Mamadou Kane from York United FC; Ulbricht Returns to Germany
- FC Edmonton vs Forge FC Pre-Match Notes
- FC Edmonton vs Atletico Ottawa Pre-Match Notes
- Eddies Sign Defender Nekhi Wright to U-18 Developmental Contract
