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FC Edmonton Plays Host to Miami FC in Crucial Fall Fixture

September 10, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


FC Edmonton Plays Host to Miami FC in Crucial Fall Fixture
FC Edmonton Plays Host to Miami FC in Crucial Fall Fixture
(FC Edmonton, Credit: Tony Lewis/FC Edmonton)

EDMONTON, AB - FC Edmonton (12W-5D-4L) will go for eight straight matches unbeaten when they host Miami FC (6W-8D-7L) for the first-ever meeting between to the two clubs at Clarke Stadium, Sept. 11 at 2:00 p.m. MT The Eddies sit second in the North American Soccer League (NASL) standings with nine regular season matches left to play in the Fall Season.

The Eddies unbeaten streak looked to be in jeopardy last weekend against Canadian rival Ottawa Fury FC, getting down 2-0 at TD Place. FC Edmonton all-time leading scorer Daryl Fordyce had other ideas, scoring two goals to earn his side a point and extend his team's streak. Fordyce's play earned him Player and Team of the Week honours from the NASL. Goalkeeper Matt VanOekel also played a crucial role in the team's Friday win, making back-to-back penalty kick stops after the Eddies were called for an infraction on Fury's first attempt from the spot. VanOekel continues to standout among NASL 'keepers and was recognized as the league's Player of the Month on Friday afternoon.

Sitting in fifth place with two games in hand on a majority of club's above them in the standings, Miami FC is in a position to crack the NASL postseason in their inaugural season. Led by head coach Alessandro Nesta, Miami has assembled an impressive roster that includes veteran Jonny Steele as well as defender Richie Ryan and Dario Cvitanich. Cvitanich leads his team in scoring in 2016 with seven goals on the year, while teammates Ariel Martinez and Kwadwo Poku round out the top three in goal scoring with five apiece. Between the woodwork, 'keeper Daniel Vega has been instrumental in his team's success, making a total of 73 saves and starting in all but one match in 2016.

The Eddies fell 1-0 in the penultimate match of the Spring Season to Miami in their only other meeting since the expansion side joined the NASL. The loss would come back to haunt them at the conclusion of the 10-game schedule, as Indy captured the Spring title by just a single point over the Eddies. Ariel Martinez scored the matches' lone goal in the 67th minute to collect three points at FIU Stadium.

It will be a milestone match for Fordyce, who will play in his 100th match as an Eddie. Fordyce's teammate and fellow Belfast native Albert Watson is the only other Eddie to have reached the 100-match milestone in club history, doing so against Tampa Bay Rowdies just two weeks ago.

"Miami has made some changes to their lineup since we last played them," FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller said. "They are on a good run at the moment but we will approach it like we approach every single game. We are at home and we are playing well here at home. Our approach to Miami is no different than it is to any other team, we know the importance of getting a win. We have 11 Cup finals left and our aim is to win every one of those Cup finals."

FC Edmonton hosts Miami FC, Sunday, Sept. 11 at Clarke Stadium, with kick-off in the match set for 2:00 p.m. MT. The match will broadcast live in Edmonton on City TV and ESPN 3 in the United States.

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FC Edmonton Plays Host to Miami FC in Crucial Fall Fixture
FC Edmonton Plays Host to Miami FC in Crucial Fall Fixture
(Tony Lewis/FC Edmonton)		   



North American Soccer League Stories from September 10, 2016


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