NASL FC Edmonton

FC Edmonton Earn First NASL Win of the Season

May 10, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FC Edmonton played its fifth game in the North American Soccer League (NASL) and earned the club's first three points of the season with a 2-1 victory over Indy Eleven at Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Although Indy began the match with a slight majority of possession, it was the visiting Eddies that struck first in the 24th minute. NASL Play of the Week winner Daryl Fordyce jumped on a back-pass from an Indy defender to the Eleven's goalkeeper Kristian Nicht and intercepted for a finish the give the Eddies the 1-0 lead.

It was less than two minutes later that FC Edmonton doubled their lead off a corner kick. Once the ball was done bouncing around the Indy 18 yard-box, it settled enough for defender Kareem Moses to get his foot on it and place it into the top netting. 2-0 for the Eddies.

Indy Eleven got their name on the board in the 30th minute off a free kick that deflected off a FC Edmonton player and through Eddies 'keeper John Smits arms to bring the first half tally to 2-1 for FC Edmonton.

"I thought we started well and pressed the ball," said FCE head coach Miller at the half. "We got one or two breaks and got the ball in the box, which is a change for us. Our mistakes in the first half were self inflicted so we need to be better in some areas of the park."

The second half started off with the Eddies on the back foot. With plenty to prove in front of a third consecutive sold out crowd for the Indy Eleven, the home side poured on the pressure after the restart. This pressure resulted in six yellow cards handed out in the final 45 minutes.

There were a number of tense moments for the Eddies, one of which being in the 78th minute due to an Indy Eleven indirect free kick in the 18 yard box, but the final ball was saved by Smits to keep FC Edmonton in the lead.

With five minutes of stoppage time at the end of the match, it took all the Eddies had to hold onto their one goal lead. As the full time whistle blew FC Edmonton walked off the field with their first three points of 2014 and their first win on the road since 2012 and first under Miller.

"We were hanging on for long spells in the second half," admitted Miller at the end of the match. "These three points were a total team effort and that's what we're all about at FC Edmonton."

The Eddies continue their three-game road trip back in Canada with the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship on Wednesday, May 14 against the Montreal Impact. Fans will be able to watch this match on Rogers Sportsnet or by joining the rest of the Eddies fans at the Pint Downtown for the official away-match viewing party.

FC Edmonton will return home to Clarke for May 24 against the Atlanta Silverbacks. Tickets start at just $10 in the YMCA Family Fun Zone and are available at all participating Edmonton YMCA locations. Tickets are also available online at www.fcedmonton.com.

Check out the FC Edmonton Statistics



North American Soccer League Stories from May 10, 2014


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