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PREVIEW | Eddies look to play spoiler in matchup with Jacksonville Armada FC

JACKSONVILLE — FC Edmonton’s busy stretch to end the 2017 North American Soccer League (NASL) season continues as the club heads to Florida for a matchup with playoff-chasing Jacksonville Armada FC at Hodges Stadium this Wednesday, October 18. The match can be seen live on beIN SPORTS at 5:00PM MT.

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Three 1-0 winning scorelines for the Armada against the Eddies this season stretches the Florida side’s win streak against the Eddies to four games dating back to 2016. FC Edmonton started the season with back-to-back losses to the Armada on April 2 & 8 before the two sides’ most recent meeting on October 6 ended in defeat for the Eddies at Clarke Stadium.

“Against Jacksonville we didn’t deserve to get beat here [on October 6],” FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller said. “We allowed the cross to come in and couldn’t defend properly, and that was the difference between the two teams. There’s been very little between us this season and we expect it to be another very tight game.”

The Armada haven’t had their best experiences at home this Fall Season, so far failing to win at Hodges Stadium after six matches (0W-3D-3L). The Eddies’ on the road have lost just once in their previous five fixtures (2W-2D-1L), scoring seven goals in that span after only tallying six in their previous 14 league road matches.

FC Edmonton continued that road streak last time out on Saturday against the New York Cosmos in a scoreless draw at MCU Park. Holding the Cosmos to a point, the Eddies jump into another match with big playoff implications as New York and Jacksonville sit tied for fourth in the Combined Standings and the final berth in the Championship, the NASL’s four-team postseason tournament.

“The pressure is on Jacksonville as they’re that much closer to the playoffs, and we go down there totally prepared to give absolutely everything we got,” Miller added.

Goalkeeper Tyson Farago put in a Man of the Match performance with five saves and his second-career NASL clean sheet to help the Eddies escape Brooklyn with a point. The Winnipeg, MB. product is averaging 3.3 saves per game (third in the NASL) since taking over starting duties for FC Edmonton in early July.

Two of those saves against the Cosmos came off free-kicks, which the Eddies need to contain this Wednesday after having allowed the joint-most goals off set pieces in 2017. FC Edmonton has conceded three goals from corner kicks — tied for the most of any team in the Fall Season — while Jacksonville has scored twice from corners for the second-most of any team. Armada midfielder Jack Blake has created 10 chances from set pieces for Jacksonville, the fourth most any of player in the Fall Season.

FC Edmonton return home after Wednesday for the club’s final home match of the year on Saturday, October 21 against Miami FC on Girls in Soccer Night II, with featured appearances from Canadian Women’s National Team players and two-time Olympic medalists Desiree Scott & Melissa Tancredi! Tickets to FC Edmonton’s Minor Soccer Month and 2017 NASL season home finale can be purchased by calling 780.700.2600 or by visiting tickets.fcedmonton.com.