Eddies Tie League Champs

FC Edmonton were held to a 1-1 draw by the Minnesota Stars in front of 1,539 fans at Clarke Stadium on Saturday. Michael Cox scored late in the second half to salvage the point for the home side, who currently sit in a tie for last place in the NASL standings.

PHOTO CREDIT - FCEdmonton.ca

Edmonton - August 5, 2012 - The visiting Minnesota Stars FC came in to Saturday evening’s match up against FC Edmonton having lost two games in a row, both by a 1-0 score line.

That trend reversed itself in front of 1,539 fans at Clarke Stadium…at least for a while.

The chant, “We have beer”, echoed throughout the stadium and the alcohol-fuelled fans seemed to energize a slumping Eddies’ offense as the home team had several chances to score in the first half.

It was Sérisay Barthélémy who got FCE’s first real chance on net in the 14th minute when he cut into the box between two defenders and got a shot off that was saved well by Stars goalkeeper Matthew Van Oekel.

Lance Parker had to make his first save in the Eddies’ net a minute later, albeit an easy one, off the boot of Amani Walker.

The Eddies looked to be playing the first half with some offensive purpose, Barthélémy himself having several shots well saved by Van Oekel.

Unfortunately for the home side, it was the visitors who broke their goal scoring drought first when Martin Nunez slotted home a through pass in the 44th minute to put the Stars ahead 1-0 heading into the half.

The teams came out for the second half with the same line-ups but it was the Stars who maintained the momentum generated by the late goal.

FCE head coach Harry Sinkgraven made his first change in the 66th minute bringing Matt Lam on for Yashir Pinto. Michael Cox followed, replacing Kenny Caceros.

And it was the Calgary-native who created the tying goal late in the game to keep the Eddies in with a shout in the NASL standings.

The 1-1 draw leaves FC Edmonton in seventh place, tied with the eighth place Silverbacks on points, eight points back of sixth place Carolina.

The Stars move up to fourth.

It will be a quick turnaround for FC Edmonton as they’ll play host to league leaders San Antonio on Wednesday.