News

FC Edmonton faces a must-win match as they travel to Blaine, Minnesota to take on Minnesota Stars FC on Saturday night at NSC Stadium. The Canadian side will fail to make the playoffs with anything except a victory against the Stars, a result they haven’t earned in three prior meetings this season.

The home side is coming off of a 1-1 draw with the league-leading San Antonio Scorpions. The draw means the Stars are without a win since the 2-1 victory against the Rowdies on July 12, an eight match winless streak.

Minnesota has scored just four goals in the eight matches without a win. To address the team’s lack of goalscorers, the Stars have acquired the services of Jamie Watson on loan from USL Pro’s Orlando City for the remainder of the season.

This past Sunday’s match against the Atlanta Silverbacks, Edmonton failed to take advantage of Minnesota’s dropped points, losing 2-0 to the other playoff hopefuls. The result means that Edmonton cannot afford to drop points. Anything but a win in the Eddies’ four remaining matches will spell an end to their playoff dreams.  

Minnesota Stars FC vs. FC Edmonton

Saturday, September 8, 2012— 8:30 P.M. EDT

NSC Stadium

Blaine, MN

Webcast: NASL on ustream

2012 Series:  Minnesota, 1-2-0, 5 points

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

                                               Minnesota                        Edmonton

Head Coach                        Manny Lagos                     Harry Sinkgraven

2012 Records                     6^th: 7-9-8, 30 points        7^th: 5-7-12, 42 points      

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

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

                                                Martin Nuñez (5),

                                                Amani Walker (5)            

Assists Leader                   Brian Kallman (4)              Shaun Saiko (5)

                                                Amani Walker (4)

Minnesota

• 5-3-4 at home
• Clinch playoff spot with win and Silverbacks loss or tie
• Winless in last eight matches
• Jamie Watson joins on loan from Orlando City
• Suspended: None
• At risk of suspension: Justin Davis (seven yellows), Brian Kallman, Neil Hlavaty, Martin Nuñez, Kentaro Takada (four yellows)

Edmonton

• 2-3-8 on the road
• Eliminated with a loss
• Last away match of the season
• Haven’t beaten Minnesota this season
• Suspended: None
• At risk: Antonio Rago (four yellows)