FC Edmonton kicks off a three-match home stand by welcoming Minnesota Stars FC to Clarke Stadium for just the second meeting between the two sides this season. In the previous meeting, FC Edmonton’s home opener, the visiting Stars won 4-3, the winning goal scored by Devin Del Do in the 90th minute off a long throw from Brian Kallman. It was the first time in history that the Stars defeated Edmonton.
The three goals that Edmonton scored in that match alone equals the total amount they managed to score in the entire month of July. The sides’ scoring woes continued with another shutout loss to the Tampa Bay Rowdies last weekend. It was the tenth game this season that the Eddies have failed to score.
The Stars were also victims of a 1-0 defeat, falling on the road against the Puerto Rico Islanders. Islanders’ captain Noah Delgado scored his first goal of the year to give Minnesota their third loss in a row. After losing their nine-match-unbeaten streak to start the season, the Stars have lost seven of their last 10 games. At the weekend, the Stars were overtaken by the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the standings by a single point, but the Stars have a game in hand over the South Florida side.
A win could see the Stars reclaim fourth and move ahead of the Strikers, as well as level the all-time series against Edmonton to 2-2-2. Edmonton occupy seventh place in the eight-team standings, just one spot and eight points behind the Carolina RailHawks in the final playoff berth. The side is still in the playoff race, and will benefit from having seven of their ten remaining matches take place at home.
FC Edmonton vs. Minnesota Stars FC
Saturday, August 4, 2012— 9:00 P.M. EDT
Clarke Stadium
Edmonton, Alberta
Webcast: NASL on ustream
TV: GOL TV Canada, Shaw Cable
2011 Series: Edmonton, 2-2-0, 8 points
2012 Series: Minnesota, 1-0-0, 3 points
Edmonton Minnesota
Head Coach Harry Sinkgraven Manny Lagos
2012 Records 7th: 4-4-10, 16 points 5th: 7-5-7, 26 points
Last Five Games L T L W L L W L L L
Goals Leader Shaun Saiko (5) Simone Bracalello (5)
Assists Leader Shaun Saiko (5) Brian Kallman (3)
Amani Walker (3)
Edmonton
Minnesota
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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 | |