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NASL FC Edmonton

Eddies Midfielder Raudales in Familiar Territory

April 16, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


FC Edmonton Midfielder Cristian Raudales
FC Edmonton Midfielder Cristian Raudales
(FC Edmonton)

FC Edmonton midfielder Cristian Raudales finds himself facing off against North American Soccer League (NASL) side Tampa Bay Rowdies this weekend, just two hours north from where he competed for four years with NCAA Division 1's Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Eagles.

Raudales left high school a semester early to attend FGCU, entering the men's soccer program in January of 2008. Unexpectedly, he quickly found himself alongside a mere handful of returning players as the program entered its' second varsity season. Raudales and a roster littered with freshmen began play the following Fall.

The benefits of joining a brand new soccer program far outweighed the risks for the Florida native, who found success both with the team and on an individual level over the next four seasons.

"There were a bunch of reasons why I decided to attend FGCU," Raudales explained. "Obviously soccer in Florida, you can play year-round. MLS (Major League Soccer) teams come there for their preseason, so we always got to play against them...I told the coach that turning professional was my goal and they understood that...For me it was the best choice I could have made, I don't regret it at all whatsoever."

The Eagles began to click in Raudales' third season, finishing as the 2010 Atlantic Sun Conference regular season champions after posting a perfect 9-0-0 record in conference play. The team captured the Conference Tournament Championship the following year (the first of back-to-back tournament titles for the program). Individually, Raudales finished his Eagles' career as the program's leader in overall points (43) and goals (19), records that he still holds to this day.

"Cristian was a kid that took a big risk coming here," FGCU men's soccer head coach Bob Butehorn stated. "He came here with really no kind of legacy or any kind of history to the program and he built it. He built the program, took the risk and really was the first of many that will hopefully go on [to have a professional soccer career]. He came in spring semester and worked extremely hard to not only raise the level of himself and his professionalism, but raise the level of the program. He-for the lack of a better term-is a founding father."

Raudales' risk paid off. The Eagles alumnus is now in his third season with the Eddies and a key component of the team's talented roster. Despite his success, he continues to keep close ties with the university program that helped him both on and off the pitch.

"They helped me out on a personal level as well," Raudales added. "To this day I keep in contact with [Bob Butehorn]; we have a close relationship...In the offseason I like to go and visit the coaching staff and go visit the new team. Sometimes I'll train with them once or twice, it's always good to go back there."

Raudales and the Eddies return to NASL action, April 16 against the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium. Kick off in the match is set for 5:30 p.m. (MT). The match will be streamed live on www.nasl.com for viewers in Canada and broadcast on ESPN3 in the United States.

The Eddies return to Clarke Field, April 24 to face Canadian rival and 2015 NASL runner-up Ottawa Fury FC at 2:00 p.m. (MT). Tickets and more information are available by clicking HERE or by visiting www.fcedmonton.com.

Match Details

Teams: FC Edmonton @ Tampa Bay Rowdies

Kick-off: April 16, 5:30 p.m. (MT)

Location: Al Lang Stadium (St. Petersburg, Florida)

Broadcast: www.fcedmonton.com (Canada), www.NASL.com (Canada), ESPN3 (United States)

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FC Edmonton Midfielder Cristian Raudales
FC Edmonton Midfielder Cristian Raudales
   



North American Soccer League Stories from April 16, 2016


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