NASL FC Edmonton

Eddies Sunk by Last Minute Goal

Published on May 31, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


OTTAWA, ON - In the last road match of the 2014 North American Soccer League (NASL) Spring Season, FC Edmonton travelled to the nation's capital to take on Ottawa Fury FC on Saturday evening. The Eddies fell 1-0 to the Fury after a 90th minute goal.

Although this match is the first time these two sides have met in league play, this will be the third match between the Canadian sides, having played each other twice in the Amway Canadian Championship earlier in 2014.

It was the home side who kicked off the action inside the first 15 minutes; Ottawa saw two early chances over the Eddies crossbar. FC Edmonton had their own opportunity in the 16th minute after central midfielder Neil Hlavaty took a shot from distance that forced Ottawa Fury 'keeper Davala Gorrick to make a diving save and force an Edmonton corner.

The end-to-end action continued as the Eddies next chance came after some great build up between youngster Hanson Boakai and midfielder Michael Nonni along the right side of the pitch. Nonni's final ball to striker Frank Jonke was cut out by Gorrick to keep the Fury out of danger. Shortly after, three-time NASL Team of the Week player Tony Donatelli found himself 1-v-1 with FC Edmonton 'keeper John Smits. The Eddies goalkeeper did well to get down and make the save to deny the opening goal.

"It's actually been a good game," said FCE head coach Colin Miller at the half. "We're watching two teams that are committed to winning. I'm a bit concerned about how many chances Ottawa have had so far, so we will need to address that in the second half."

The game opened up in the second 45 minutes as both teams looked for the opportunity to take all three points. It started with Tom Heinemann made his long awaited Ottawa debut in the 55th minute. His first action of the match was an offside opportunity that went off the post.

Ottawa earned the first yellow card of the match in the 59th minute after Oliver handled the ball into the back of the Eddies net. The card also marked the first of five yellow issued in the second half between the two teams.

The game was put just out of Edmonton's reach in the final minute. After Ottawa was awarded a free kick in the 90th minute at the corner of the 18- yard box, Heinemann got the glancing header to put the ball by Smits and earn the home side the full three points with a 1-0 Ottawa Fury FC victory.

The Eddies now return home for the club's final match of the 2014 NASL Spring Season against the Carolina RailHawks on Sunday, June 8 (2:00 p.m. MT KO). Come and celebrate FC Edmonton's Spring Season as well as celebrate the start of the World Cup! Tickets for the match start at just $10 in the YMCA Family Fun Zone and can be purchased at any participating Edmonton YMCA location.

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North American Soccer League Stories from May 31, 2014


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