NASL FC Edmonton

Eddies Settle for 1-1 Draw against Whitecaps FC

Published on May 14, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


FC Edmonton Celebrates Goal against Vancouver Whitecaps FC
FC Edmonton Celebrates Goal against Vancouver Whitecaps FC
(FC Edmonton)

VANCOUVER, BC - FC Edmonton settled for a 1-1 draw against Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the first leg of the semi-final in the Amway Canadian Championship on Wednesday evening. After taking the lead inside the first five minutes, Whitecaps FC managed to draw the match 1-1 in the final moments.

For the sixth time this season, FC Edmonton's striker Tomi Ameobi found the back of the net. After the 6'3" forward stripped the ball away from Vancouver's Gershon Koffie, he calmly put it past Vancouver goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi in the fourth minute. With this goal, Ameobi ties teammate Daryl Fordyce at the top of the Amway Canadian Championship all-time scoring leaderboard with four goals.

Ten minutes from half, Whitecaps FC started to get more comfortable in possession capped off with a shot by Vancouver's Kianz Froese that just missed the Eddies' goal. Moments later, Vancouver had a dangerous free kick on the edge of the box, but Nicolás Mezquida's attempt hit the Eddies well-held wall.

The Eddies went into halftime leading the match 1-0.

The second half was all about the Eddies back line which included a number of big saves from goalkeeper Matt VanOekel. In the 50th minute, Vancouver's Erik Hurtado took a hard shot on goal but the Eddies 'keeper held his own. Minutes later, VanOekel saved Darren Mattock's potent strike down the middle.

After a handful of substitutions by Vancouver that saw impactful players like Robert Earnshaw and Kekuta Manneh come in, Whitecaps FC levelled the score in the 87th minute. Midfielder Koffie made up for the mistake he made earlier in the match that resulted in Ameobi's goal and tapped the ball in the Eddies goal to level the score at 1-1.

After six minutes of injury time, the Eddies were able to hold off Vancouver's pressure and onto the 1-1 score, with the crucial away goal.

"We're happy with a point right now," said VanOekel after the match. "The away goal is huge. I was able to get myself set in net and I was glad to help keep the team in the game."

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FC Edmonton Celebrates Goal against Vancouver Whitecaps FC
FC Edmonton Celebrates Goal against Vancouver Whitecaps FC
   



North American Soccer League Stories from May 14, 2015


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