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Fordyce Free Kick Earns Valuable Point for Eddies in 1-1 Draw Versus Minnesota

September 6, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


EDMONTON, AB - FC Edmonton (4-4-4) faced Minnesota United FC (5-4-2) in North American Soccer League (NASL) league play, Sept. 6 at Clarke Field. The two sides would share the spoils after a wet and cold 1-1 draw.

Khalif Alhassan scored from a set piece for Minnesota, while Eddie Daryl Fodryce leveled the match late for the home side. Between the woodwork, Edmonton's Matt VanOekel made several key saves to give his side a fighting chance down the stretch.

Minnesota opened scoring on eleven minutes with a well-taken free kick. Alhassan curled the ball through the Eddies wall before the ball fired off the post and into the net.

Down a goal early, the Eddies hope for a comeback didn't get any easier after midfielder Michael Nonni received his second yellow card of the match on 25 minutes, resulting in a red card and automatic ejection.

Corea came close to pulling one back for Edmonton on the half-hour mark after the winger dribbled into the box. The midfielder's shot took a deflection and struck the post before going out for a corner kick that the home side was unable to convert upon.

The 1-0 score line would hold heading into the half.

Looking to gain what would have been a crippling two-goal advantage, Minnesota displayed some neat combination play on 72 minutes from the left wing. Midfielder Greg Jordan worked his way inside the box and cut in to his right foot, but his shot went just over VanOekel's net.

VanOekel produced a world-class save on 75 minutes to keep his side within reach. Minnesota curled a cross from the left wing, allowing Christian Ramirez to meet the ball with his head, but VanOekel came up with an outstanding diving save.

Deep into stoppage time, the Eddies would level the match 1-1 to shock Minnesota and earn a valuable point. After being foiled on his first free kick attempt by 'keeper Sammy N'Djock, Fordyce's second attempt saw the Northern Ireland native striking a powerful free kick that snuck under the Minnesota wall and past N'Djock.

The 1-1 score would hold up to the final whistle, with Edmonton salvaging a late point against the league's highest scoring offence.

"I was very pleased with our reaction after we were sent down to ten men." FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller remarked. "I have to give our guys an enormous amount of credit because they never gave up against a talented Minnesota side. The boys never gave up and I'm proud of them."

Edmonton takes on Tampa Bay Rowdies on Sep 13, at Clarke Field. Kick-off is set for 2:00 p.m. MT. For more details please visit www.fcedmonton.com.

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