PREVIEW | Eddies Look For Similar Result To Fall Season Opener Against The Scorpions

FC Edmonton will be on the road again this Wednesday, July 15, at 8:30 p.m. ET to face the San Antonio Scorpions for the second of three NASL matches in ten days.

The Eddies moved back into first place after the draw with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers on Saturday, July 11, at Lockhart Stadium. The Strikers were five minutes away from coming away with a win, but a powerful strike from young striker Sadi Jalali bounced off of the post and the back of Strikers goalkeeper Josh Ford before finding the back of the net for the equalizer and eventual 1-1 draw.

San Antonio defeated the Tampa Bay Rowdies, 3-0, on Saturday to get their first win of the Fall Season. NASL Player of the Week and Spring Season goalscoring leader Omar Cummings scored a brace to become the overall top scorer with seven goals – one ahead of Eddies midfielder Lance Laing.

The Eddies and Scorpions met just over a week ago in Fort McMurray, Alberta, with the Eddies earning a decisive 4-0 victory at Shell Place with goals from Laing, Jalali, and Hanson Boakai.

Edmonton’s early season success has been highlighted by strong play from the young core and improved defending. Jalali has been the target man due to the absences of several veteran players, and has taken full advantage of his chances through two matches.

Amid all the injuries, goalkeeper Matt VanOekel and central defenders Albert Watson and Mallan Roberts have kept the team together defensively, while the offense continues to produce as it has all season long.

Eddies head coach Colin Miller will again field a smaller-than-usual squad in San Antonio and Tampa as injured first team starters work themselves back to full health in Edmonton.

"We're looking to build on the strong performance in Fort Lauderdale and the previous performance against San Antonio," Miller said. "It will be another very difficult game on the road with a very depleted squad, but the guys are playing well and we are hopeful that we can come away with another positive result.”