NASL FC Edmonton

FC Edmonton Set to Kick off Two-Game Road Trip against RailHawks

Published on September 23, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


EDMONTON, AB - FC Edmonton (12W-7D-5L) are on the road to face Carolina RailHawks (8W-6D-10L), Saturday, September 24 at Wakemed Soccer Park at 5:30 p.m. MT. Coming off back-to-back clean sheet draws, the Eddies will be looking to break through on offence and collect all three points against the 'Hawks.

The second-place Eddies have continued to collect points on a consistent basis as the NASL postseason draws closer. Vancouver product Ben Fisk has stood out over the past week in what was a quiet week on offence for the Edmonton side. The 23-year-old was unlucky to not collect his first goal of the year in the team's previous two matches, sending a shot off the woodwork against both Rayo OKC and the New York Cosmos, while generating a slew of other opportunities. On defence, the Eddies have allowed a mere 14 goals against in 24 matches this year, with their back line making a strong case to see their second 'keeper in three seasons win the league's Golden Glove award (John Smits, 2014). Goalkeeper Matt VanOekel's performance has been well-documented this season, and rightfully so. The 30-year-old needs just one more clean sheet to tie an NASL record for shutouts in a single season set in 2015 by Ottawa Fury goalkeeper Romuald Peiser (14).

The RailHawks sit ninth in the league's Combined Standings yet are just six points back of fourth-place Minnesota United FC with a match in hand for the fourth and final postseason spot with 30 points. The 'Hawks are coming off consecutive 1-0 losses on the road to Miami FC at FIU Stadium before dropping their second in a row to Tampa Bay Rowdies, where they were outshot 21-6 at Al Lang Stadium. The trio of forwards Mathew Fondy, Brian Shriver and Omar Bravo have accounted for just over half of the team's 29 goals scored, with six, five and four goals, respectively. In goal, Akira Fitzgerald and Brian Sylvestre have split appearances this season with 12 each. Sylvestre has carried the bulk of shot-stopping duties in recent weeks, allowing just two goals in four consecutive starts.

"It's a huge game for us," FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller stated. "Carolina has always been very, very difficult to beat at home. It's a difficult venue with a beautiful playing surface and that will certainly add a bit of spice to the occasion-the fact that the guys are on a fantastic playing surface. We cannot underestimate the quality that is in their team or the quality of their manager [Colin Clarke] because he is very experienced."

The Eddies hold the edge against the RailHawks this season in the team's three-match season series, capturing a pair of 1-0 victories at Clarke Stadium in both the Spring and Fall Seasons. The two sides first met May 22, where a penalty kick conversion from Eddies all-time leading scorer Daryl Fordyce in the 79th minute was all the home team needed to capture the win. The two sides met again on July 31, where New York native Jake Keegan scored just past the hour-mark to secure another three points for the Eddies. Another strong effort could see the Edmonton side capturing their second-ever victory at Wakemed Soccer Park.

"We are at a situation now where we have to be looking to go into every venue and get three points," Miller added. "The way our team is playing, the way we are defending, we are creating chances...we have to come in with a very positive frame of mind. Our players are healthy-touch wood-and we will give it everything we have got on Saturday night to get three points."

FC Edmonton face Carolina RailHawks, September 24 at Wakemed Soccer Park. Kick-off in the match is set for 5:30 p.m. MT. and will be streamed live on NASL.com in Canada and ESPN 3 in the United States.

For FC Edmonton tickets and more information, please click HERE, call 780.700.2600 or visit www.fcedmonton.com.

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North American Soccer League Stories from September 23, 2016


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