NASL FC Edmonton

Postseason Race Heating up as FC Edmonton Prepares to Face Armada

Published on September 27, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


FC Edmonton (12W-7D-6L) travels to Jacksonville to take on the Armada (3W-10D-12L), Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 5:30 p.m. MT., looking to avenge a 1-0 loss over the weekend in North American Soccer League (NASL) action.

The Eddies fell to Carolina RailHawks Saturday on a night where league-leading New York Cosmos also lost. As a result, the Eddies remain within striking distance of the league leaders with a match in hand. Despite a positive second half, the Eddies were unable to recover from a slow start as the 'Hawks held on to their 1-0 lead through to the final whistle. Despite the Eddies' recent goal drought, the team still sit among the top-four in the NASL standings-the league's top-four teams qualify for The Championship, the NASL's postseason tournament.

The Armada's recent records emulates that of their Wednesday opponents, with three draws and a pair of defeats in their previous five outings. Their overall record tells a different story, however, and has the second-year club sitting in 11th place in the Combined standings. Armada have scored 21 goals in 25 matches, but have been sunk by a minus-16 goal differential. Up front, the tandem of Charles Eloundou and Alhassanne Keita have scored just under half of their team's goals, with five and four goals, respectively. Midfielder Jemal Johnson leads the club in assists with four, while goalkeepers Sean Lewis and Miguel Gallardo have shared duties between the woodwork.

It's the second meeting of the year between the Armada and the Eddies. The two sides met early in the Spring Season at Community First Park where Eddies defender Pape Diakite's goal in the 64th minute proved to be the game-winner. It was 'keeper Matt VanOekel's third clean sheet of the season. VanOekel will now be aiming for his 14th in Wednesday's contest which would tie an NASL record for shutouts in a season. Wednesday's meeting will also be the first time Eddies defender Shawn Nicklaw will face his old club since being acquired by the Eddies in a trade earlier in the Fall Season. The 27-year-old product of San Diego, California has played a crucial role on the Eddies' top-rated back line since his arrival.

"We are looking for a positive reaction from a disappointing performance on Saturday night," FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller said. "I'm confident there will be a positive reaction and we could see some changes to the lineup. We know the significance and need for a win and we will do everything we can to get a result. The guys are in a good place, they know that as a group that we let ourselves down on Saturday night and we know it will be difficult against Jacksonville. It will be boiling hot down there as well so we will also be competing with the elements."

FC Edmonton faces Jacksonville Armada FC, Sept. 28 at 5:30 p.m. MT at Community First Park. The match will be broadcast on CBS Sports in the United States, with Viewing Party details in Edmonton expected to be announced shortly.

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 27, 2016


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