FC Edmonton drop three crucial points in playoff race

It was obvious from the get-go that the Eddies were going hard for goals on Sunday afternoon at Clarke Stadium in front of 1,475 fans as the squad battled the Atlanta Silverbacks for their playoff lives.

PHOTO CREDIT - FCEdmonton.com

Edmonton - September 3, 2012 - It was obvious from the get-go that the Eddies were going hard for goals on Sunday afternoon at Clarke Stadium in front of 1,475 fans as the squad battled the Atlanta Silverbacks for their playoff lives.

A loss would be devastating and it was the visitors who got the first meaningful chance in the 19th minute when Atlanta’s Pedro Mendes pounced on a defensive mistake and was staring at a wide-open net. The striker took the shot but Paul Hamilton was able to get back in time and cleared the ball off the line.

The Eddies had a chance of their own in the 23rd minute when Sérisay Barthélémy was taken down from behind and Kyle Porter stepped up to take the free kick. The midfielder struck the ball from 25 yards out but he couldn’t beat the cross bar and the teams remained even going into the break.

FCE head coach Harry Sinkgraven made a change at half time in search of some offense, bringing Shaun Saiko on for Yashir Pinto but it was the Silverbacks who struck first.

Matt Horth got the ‘Backs on the board in the 56th minute thanks to a well-placed shot that eluded Lance Parker in the Edmonton net.

It didn’t take long for the Silverbacks to double their lead.

This time it was Horth using his head. The striker beat two Edmonton defenders to a long throw in and slotted it passed Parker to make it 2-0.

Sinkgraven brought another striker, Michael Cox, on in the 64th in search of a goal and Brian Arguez came close in the 76th but his screamer of a shot sailed just wide of the far post.

The 2-0 loss puts the Eddies in a tough spot as far as the playoffs are concerned.

They now trail Minnesota Stars FC by eight points with just four games remaining, one of which is Saturday against the very same Stars in Blaine. An absolute must win for the Eddies as the defending champs hold the sixth and final spot.