News

FC Edmonton travels to Blaine, Minnesota to take on Minnesota Stars FC for the third meeting between the sides this season. The last time the teams met, the match ended in 1-1 tie after a Stars’ own goal late in the second half secured a vital point at home for the Eddies.

Having been on the road for four of the last five matches, the Stars will relish the chance to return home as they begin a stretch of four matches at NSC Stadium. Last weekend the Stars could only manage a 0-0 draw against a ten-man Atlanta Silverbacks side. It was the fourth time in five matches that Minnesota were held scoreless, and the sixth straight match the side failed to collect three points.

In their last match, Edmonton dropped a one-goal lead to the Carolina RailHawks. Paul Craig and Kyle Porter scored on either side of a Nick Zimmerman strike to put Edmonton up 2-1, before Zach Schilawski leveled and substitute Ty Shipalane scored the game-winning goal for the RailHawks in injury time. The defeat ended the Eddies’ impressive three-match unbeaten streak that included a draw against the league-leading San Antonio Scorpions, and a victory over the Puerto Rico Islanders.

In the first meeting of the season, Minnesota defeated Edmonton for the first time in their history; Stars’ forward Devin Del Do bagged the winner for the visitors in stoppage-time of the seven-goal game. Both encounters at NSC Stadium last season ended as 1-1 ties.

Edmonton is currently seventh in the standings, seven points behind the Stars and RailHawks. With a win, the Stars can expand the gap to 10 points over the playoff-hopefuls, with just five games left to play.

Minnesota Stars FC vs. FC Edmonton

Saturday, August 25, 2012— 8:30 P.M. EDT

NSC Stadium

Blaine, MN

Webcast: NASL on ustream

2012 Series:  Minnesota, 1-1-0, 4 points

2011 Series:  Edmonton, 2-2-0, 8 points

                                               Minnesota                         Edmonton

Head Coach                        Manny Lagos                     Harry Sinkgraven

2012 Records                     5^th: 7-7-8, 28 points         7^th: 5-6-11, 21 points

Last Five Games                L L T L T                              L T T W L              

Goals Leader                      Simone Bracalello (5)     Shaun Saiko (6)

                                                Martin Nuñez (5)             Shaun Saiko (5)

Assists Leader                   Brian Kallman (4)

Minnesota

• 5-1-4 at home
• Winless in last six matches
• Shutout in four of last five matches
• Suspended: None
• At risk of suspension: Neil Hlavaty, Martin Nuñez (four yellows)

Edmonton

• 2-2-8 on the road
• Winless in last two away matches
• 2-2-1 all-time vs. Stars
• Suspended: None
• At risk of suspension: Antonio Rago (four yellows)