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FC Edmonton Prepared to Face Armada in Final Home Match of Regular Season

October 21, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


FC Edmonton Prepared to Face Armada in Final Home Match of Regular Season
FC Edmonton Prepared to Face Armada in Final Home Match of Regular Season
(FC Edmonton)

EDMONTON, AB - FC Edmonton (14W-8D-8L) hosts Jacksonville Armada FC (4W-12D-13L), October 23 at Clarke Stadium for their final regular season home match of the 2016 North American Soccer League (NASL) regular season at 2:00 p.m. MT.

The Eddies qualified for the NASL postseason with four matches remaining in the regular season and will enjoy two more matches in which to fine tune their lineup before heading into their postseason semi-final match versus Indy Eleven on November 5 at Michael A. Carroll Stadium. The Edmonton side will be looking to tighten up their form after back-to-back defeats versus Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Minnesota United FC.

After fielding a familiar Starting XI for the majority of the year, the Eddies lineup saw several changes versus Fort Lauderdale Strikers. A more recognizable lineup returned for the team's match versus Minnesota- their third game in seven days- but despite an early goal from NASL Golden Ball nominee and Eddies captain Albert Watson, the team was unable to stop a desperate United squad from capturing a 3-1 comeback win at NSC Stadium.

"We have rotated the group over the last couple games and now it's time to try and get the fit guys back into the team," FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller stated. "Matt VanOekel is fit and healthy so we are delighted with that and one or two others players look like they will be available as well, so these players will all come into consideration for Sunday."

There is pride on the line for the Armada and newly-minted head coach Mark Lowry. The team currently sits in 11th place in the Combined Standings and will be setting course for their first win over the Eddies this season, following a 1-0 loss and 0-0 draw earlier in the year. Jacksonville has registered 27 goals in 2016, with the difference between the two clubs resting upon their goals against record. The Armada have conceded 43 goals this season, while Edmonton has allowed just 20. The Florida-based club found success in their most recent match on October 19, upsetting the postseason-hopeful Miami FC, 3-2 at Community First Park.

The team's first meeting this season occurred May 4 at Community First Park. NASL Young Player of the Year nominee and Eddies defender Pape Diakite scored the lone goal of the match in the 64th minute, with teammate and MVP candidate Matt VanOekel collecting the clean sheet between the woodwork. Another clean sheet performance from VanOekel in the team's most recent meeting on September 28 helped the Eddies split the spoils with a 0-0 result.

"We know this will be a very difficult game," Miller added. "Jacksonville have done well since Mark has taken over. They have been consistent and very hard to beat. Our home environment, our hunger to finish as high as we can in the league and get as ready as we can for the playoffs- that will be the incentive for the lads to be very determined on Sunday."

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FC Edmonton Prepared to Face Armada in Final Home Match of Regular Season
FC Edmonton Prepared to Face Armada in Final Home Match of Regular Season
   



North American Soccer League Stories from October 21, 2016


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