NASL FC Edmonton

Post-Season Hopes Dashed for Eddies After 1-0 Loss

Published on October 25, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (October 25, 2014) - After an incredible turn around to FC Edmonton's (7W-5D-5L) North American Soccer League (NASL) season, hopes of a post-season were dashed in Fort Lauderdale (7W-5D-5L) on Saturday night against the Strikers with a 1-0 loss.

The Eddies jumped into the match with both feet and started off the action with a yellow card given to Ritchie Jones just six minutes in. The challenge and the following card was the only action for the first 20 minutes of the match as both teams were evidently trying to feel each other out.

Jones made up for his card in the 25th minute when a cut-back cross found him at the top of the box. His final shot took a bounce off the pitch before Strikers goalkeeper Kamil Čontofalský was forced into making a great save to keep the game scoreless. Čontofalský made another save moments later to finish off the chances in the first half for the Eddies.

Tempers flared just before the half-time whistle when FCE midfielder Horace James went into a tackle down the far side of the field which drew the ire of the entire Strikers bench and earned himself a yellow card. Shortly after, the half-time whistle blew with a 0-0 scoreline on the board.

The Strikers turned up the pressure in the second half and it was evident in the 53rd minute. Off a Fort Lauderdale corner kick, FCE "˜keeper John Smits made the initial save from a deadly header, but the ball came up to hit to crossbar and down off the goal-line before bouncing back out for a clearance.

Heartbreak for the Eddies came in the 83rd minute when Smits came out of his area to make a clearance, but ended up passing the ball right to Fort Lauderdale's Pecka. The Strikers midfielder chipped the ball over Smits and there was nothing the Eddies backline could do to prevent the ball bouncing to the goal as the Strikers went up 1-0.

With that goal, FC Edmonton's post-season hopes ended and Fort Lauderdale's post-season hopes were one-step closer.

"I'm very proud of the players," said FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller after the match. "It was an entertaining game by two teams that wanted to win. I can't ask any more of the team, I'm just devastated in the manner in which we gave away the goal."

FC Edmonton will end their 2014 NASL season at home in Clarke Stadium on November 2 against the Atlanta Silverbacks at 2:00 p.m. MT. In the Season Finale Snow Bowl, the Eddies encourage all those in attendance to bring donations of new or gently used winter coats for the match's featured charity United Way and their Coats for Kids & Families campaign.

Tickets start at just $10 in the YMCA Family Fun Zone and can be purchased at any Edmonton YMCA location. For all other tickets, head to fcedmonton.com or call 780.700.2600 for more information.

2015 FC Edmonton Season Tickets are now on sale! You don't want to miss a moment of Eddies action and you don't have to with season ticket prices starting at just $240. Early bird special ends December 15 and include a limited edition FC Edmonton Voigt ball as well as discounted VIP parking. Visit fcedmonton.com from more information or call 780.700.2600.

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North American Soccer League Stories from October 25, 2014


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