FC Edmonton hosts the Puerto Rico Islanders for the fourth regular season meeting between the two sides Sunday evening at Clarke Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta. The three previous meetings between the clubs this season have all ended in ties, two of which were without goals.
For the hosts, the match is the last of an unbeaten three-match home stand. FC Edmonton drew Minnesota Stars FC 1-1, before holding the league leaders, San Antonio Scorpions, to the same score on Wednesday night. Yashir Pinto’s third goal of the season in first half stoppage time canceled out Jonathan Greenfield’s opener, but the second half—which was delayed three hours by thunderstorm—failed to produce goals for either side as both teams had to settle for a draw.
Following their victory against San Antonio in one of the hardest stadiums to earn a result, the Islanders will be full of confidence coming into this one. The only side to beat the Scorpions at Heroes Stadium repeated the feat, running away with all three points after a pair of goals from Nicholas Addlery. The three points puts the Islanders within touching distance of first place, just two points behind San Antonio.
The Islanders welcome back three players who missed the win over San Antonio as Chris Nurse, Jonathan Faña, and Osei Telesford all return from suspension. The team will be without the services of midfielder Jarad VanSchaik who has been an integral part of the Islanders’ success this season. Paul Hamilton is back for the Eddies after serving a one-match suspension following his sending off against Minnesota last weekend.
For Edmonton, just seven points out of a playoff spot, three points would go a long way in their push for postseason action. At the opposite end of the standings, the Islanders will look to keep pace with the Scorpions and the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
FC Edmonton vs. Puerto Rico Islanders
Sunday, August 12, 2012— 4:05 P.M. EDT
Clarke Stadium
Edmonton, Alberta
Webcast:
2012 Series: Tied, 0-3-0, 3 points
2011 Series: Puerto Rico, 2-1-1, 3 points
Edmonton Puerto Rico
Head Coach Harry Sinkgraven Adrian Whitbread
2012 Records 7th: 4-6-10, 18 points 2nd: 10-4-6, 34 points
Last Five Games L W L T T W L L W W
Goals Leader Shaun Saiko (5) Nicholas Addlery (8)
Assists Leader Shaun Saiko (5) Jonathan Faña (5)
Edmonton
Puerto Rico
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| TEAM | GP | W | T | L | GD | PTS | |
| Carolina RailHawks | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 11 | |
| Tampa Bay Rowdies | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 11 | |
| Atlanta Silverbacks | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 10 | |
| Minnesota United FC | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 | |
| FC Edmonton | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 | |
| San Antonio Scorpions | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -4 | 5 | |
| Fort Lauderdale Strikers | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -6 | 4 | |