NASL FC Edmonton

FC Edmonton Looks to Continue Run of Form against Struggling Strikers

Published on October 11, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


EDMONTON, AB - After securing a berth in the North American Soccer League (NASL) postseason, FC Edmonton (14W-8D-6L) hits the road for a midweek match against Fort Lauderdale Strikers (8W-8D-12L), October 12 at Central Broward Regional Park at 5:30 p.m. MT on ONE World Sports.

The Eddies are returning to the postseason for the first time since 2011, thanks to yet another clean sheet performance against the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Clarke Stadium last Sunday. Midfielder Ben Fisk notched his second goal in as many games in the 13th minute in what would stand as the game-winner. Between the woodwork, goalkeeper Matt VanOekel set a modern-era NASL record with his 15th clean sheet of the season. With four games remaining and a game in hand on Fall Season leaders New York Cosmos, the Eddies have the opportunity to move within two points of first place overall. A Fall Season title would see the Eddies hosting the semifinal round of The Championship, the NASL's four-team postseason tournament.

Fort Lauderdale Strikers- along with several other clubs- are fighting for their postseason lives as the NASL regular season draws to a close. The Strikers sit six points back of Minnesota United FC for the fourth and final postseason spot with 32 points and hold a match in hand on the 'Loons. It's been tough sailing for the Florida-based club in recent weeks, who are winless in their previous five matches and find themselves in the midst of a four-match losing streak dating back to Sept 24 against the Rowdies. In addition to the losing streak, the team has gone over two matches without scoring a goal, dropping a 2-0 decision to the Cosmos before most recently falling 3-0 to the surging Carolina RailHawks.

"It will be a difficult game tomorrow, especially given the fact that Fort Lauderdale is coming off a heavy defeat at Carolina," FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller said. "Fort Lauderdale definitely has players within their group that will make it very, very difficult for us tomorrow night."

The Eddies have held the edge over the Strikers in their two meetings this season, collecting 2-1 and 1-0 wins at Clarke Stadium on June 12 and July 10, respectively. Eddies all-time leading scorer Daryl Fordyce scored the winner in the two sides' most recent affair, sending home a left-footed strike past 'keeper Diego Restrepo in the 71st minute. All-in-all, Fort Lauderdale will need to put forth their strongest effort in over a month to get a positive result and stay in the NASL postseason conversation.

"Incentive to be involved in that Starting XI group that will play in the NASL semifinal will be the motivation for our players moving forward," Miller added. "We will have to change some things tomorrow night due to injury and suspension. Our squad has trained really well all season and I don't foresee any complacency setting in."

FC Edmonton and Fort Lauderdale Strikers kick-off their match at Central Broward Regional Park, Oct. 12 at 5:30 p.m. MT. The match will be streamed live for free for viewers in both Canada and the United States. Fans can take in all the action between the Eddies and Strikers at Tavern on Whyte!

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North American Soccer League Stories from October 11, 2016


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