Draw leaves FC Edmonton seven points back of final playoff spot

Bryan Arguez late second half marker propelled FC Edmonton to a 1-1 draw on Saturday evening against the Minnesota Stars in NASL action.The goal was Arguez first in an Edmonton uniform, since coming over on loan from the Montreal Impact on July 9th, 2012.

PHOTO CREDIT - FCEdmonton.com

Edmonton - August 26, 2012 - In a pivotal game between FC Edmonton and the Minnesota Stars FC on a Saturday evening in Blaine, neither team was able to find the crucial three points to gain separation in the NASL standings.

It was the Stars who opened the scoring in the 17th minute when midfielder Cristiano Dias hit a blistering shot that eluded Lance Parker in the FC Edmonton net to put the 2011 Champs up 1-0.

FC Edmonton’s Chris Kooy got the Eddies first real chance in the 27th minute just missing the far post with a low shot from 25 yards out.

Neither team could muster much in terms of offence in the first 45, but it was the Stars who went into the locker room up 1-0 at the whistle.

“We started out slowly and conceded a goal, but gained control as the half went on,” said head coach Harry Sinkgraven at the half. “In the beginning it wasn’t good enough, but we know what we have to do in the second half and we will execute.”

The second half began with both teams fighting for possession. Minnesota’s Amani Walker had the half’s first chance in the 56th minute, after being sent in alone against FCE’s David Proctor, but Walker’s chip sailed over the bar harmlessly.

It looked like the Eddies were in tough, and with a loss it would have been difficult to make the playoffs, but midfielder Bryan Arguez chose the right time to score his first goal for his new team. In the 74th minute, Arguez belted a shot past Matt Van Oekel in the Stars net to tie the game 1-1.

FC Edmonton continued the pressure as the second half continued in search of the all important go-ahead goal. But in the end, it was the Stars who were able to hold off the attacking Eddies and maintain the 1-1 draw. The point leaves FC Edmonton seven back of the sixth place Minnesota Stars FC with five games remaining.

Next up for the Eddies, a game at Clarke Stadium against the fifth place Carolina RailHawks on Sunday September 2nd.