FC Edmonton advances to Amway Canadian Championship semi-final

FC Edmonton will move forward into the Amway Canadian Championship semi-final after posting a 3-1 victory over Ottawa Fury FC (6-2 on aggregate) at Clarke Field. The win will see the Eddies kick off against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Wednesday, May 6.

The Eddies opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Lance Laing picked up the ball down the wing and crossed it into the box. It fell to Cristian Raudales who had his volley attempt saved by Romuald Pieser. Unable to hold onto the rebound, Tomi Ameobi was there to tap in the loose ball to make it 1-0 for the Eddies.

In the 15th minute, Laing was once again allowed space down the near side and crossed the ball towards the back post where Sainey Nyassi was waiting unmarked. Nyassi controlled the ball with his first touch, then rifled a shot into the net to make it 2-0.

Ottawa Fury FC came within a goal 32 minutes in. Andrew Wiedeman found some space in-between the Eddies’ backline and he left FC Edmonton goalkeeper Matt VanOekel with no chance with his shot to make it 2-1. This scoreline held until the halftime whistle.

Ottawa had their chances in the second half and came close to drawing the match in the 60th minute when Sinisa Ubiparipovic had a free kick from 20-yards out that sailed just wide of VanOekel’s near post.

Second-half substitute Michael Nonni earned the Eddies a penalty after being brought down inside the box in the 81st minute. Daryl Fordyce stepped up to take the kick and he coolly slotted it into the right corner to make it 3-1 for FC Edmonton. The 3-1 scoreline would be enough for the Eddies to pull off the victory and also secure a spot in the semi-final.

“From an attacking point of view I am very pleased six goals over two goals and the goals have been spread out,” said FC Edmonton’s head coach Colin Miller. “We could’ve scored a few more goals apart from excellent goalkeeping by Ottawa.”