NASL FC Edmonton

FC Edmonton Leave All Three Points in Atlanta

July 19, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


ATLANTA, GA - FC Edmonton kicked off the club's away match campaign of the Fall Season against Atlanta Silverbacks on Saturday evening in Atlanta, Georgia. After a hard fought and foul driven match, it was the home side to take all three points with a 1-0 win over FC Edmonton.

After a quick attacking start for the Eddies, the Silverbacks found their grove and settled into a passing rhythm that held them in the majority of possession inside the first 15 minutes. An Eddies defensive error set up a chance in the 21st minute for Atlanta's Borfor Carr, but his final volley was just wide of the net.

A free kick for FC Edmonton in the 26th minute lead to the visiting team's best chance inside the first half an hour. Off of FCE midfielder Neil Hlavaty's boot, the ball just missed the head of defender Kareem Moses and also the gloves of returning goalkeeper Joe Nasco. It was finally cleared to give Atlanta a breather.

Just after the 30 minute mark, Edmonton striker Frank Jonke turned his defender and found himself with an open chance on net. His final effort, however, was just dragged wide of the net. This chance by the Eddies finished off an aggressive 0-0 half between the two sides.

"We have to be better," said FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller after the half time whistle. "We have given the ball away too easily. While we have been sound defensively, from our middle players moving forward, we have to be better."

FC Edmonton were put under early pressure at the start the second half and after a series of Atlanta corner kicks, the Eddies were finally able to come out of their own 18 yard-box. It was another free kick taken by Hlavaty that saw the first FC Edmonton chance of the second half. Centreback Albert Watson rose to win the header, but the second ball was a narrow miss for Kareem Moses at the far post.

A quick counter from the Eddies at the hour mark saw Jonke and Horace James connect for another chance on net for the visiting side. However, James saw his final header just over the corner of the net. The former Silverback saw his second chance of the night again go just wide of the net only four minutes later after a slightly miscued side-kick.

FC Edmonton goal keeper John Smits came smartly denied the home side the lead just before the 70 minute mark. A ball from Mike Randolph eluded the stretch of centre back Alberto Navarro and landed for Jamie Chavez. Smits came bravely off his mark to charge down the ball and make the save.

Despite the Eddies having the majority of the chances, and the slight lead in possession throughout the 90 minutes (52% to 48%), it was the home side that earned the only goal of the match. The Silverbacks earned a free-kick at the top of the box in the 75th minute and Pablo Cruz's shot went just over the wall as passed the outstretched arms of Smits to find the back of the net and give the Silverbacks a 1-0 lead.

The match was kickstarted for the Eddies after bringing on Hanson Boakai for the final 10 minutes. It was his effort shortly after coming on that forced Nasco to make a game winning save and touch the ball over the crossbar. As the full time whistle blew, the Silverbacks earned their first clean sheet of the year and the Eddies fly back to Edmonton without a share of the points.

"The difference was being able to finish," said Miller at the end of the 90 minutes. "It's as frustrating as you can imagine to put all of the effort into a match and not get anything out of it."

The Eddies now head back to Canada for Christmas in July against the Indy Eleven on July 27 in a match presented by Coldwell Banker (2:00 p.m. MT KO). Eddies fans are encouraged to bring a new or unused toy for a donation to Santas Anonymous and they will receive 25% off their next FC Edmonton match ticket. Tickets for the match start at $10 in the YMCA Family Fun Zone and can be purchased at participating Edmonton YMCA locations. For all additional tickets, fans can call 780.700.2600 or visit www.fcedmonton.com.

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North American Soccer League Stories from July 19, 2014


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