FC Edmonton lost to Valour FC by a 1-0 scoreline in a Sunday morning affair at Clarke Stadium
The win by Valour also means they are tied with Edmonton on three points in the race for a spot in the CONCACAF league qualifying. Forge FC currently lead the race with six points.
Valour forward Ali Musse got the only goal on 80 minutes and goalkeeper Mathias Janssens earned a clean sheet after a solid performance in goal.
The Eddies started the match on the front foot and nearly opened the scoring on three minutes. James Marcelin received the ball out-wide before curling in across towards the box. Ajeej Sarkaria got a foot to it, but Janssens made a good save with his body to keep the score at 0-0.
Just before the 20-minute mark, Son Young Chan fired a shot from distance that was destined for the back of the net, but Valour keeper Janssens came up with a diving save.
The Eddies looked the more likely team to score in the opening half-hour. Valour was limited to chances from range, which never really troubled Connor James. n the flip side, the Eddies found themselves in good positions but were unable to find the final ball.
Valour’s Michael Petrasso had the best chance of the half when he ran through a number of Edmonton players before making his way inside the box. Petrasso’s final shot was crucially blocked by Kareem Moses to keep the scoreline even at halftime.
Before the hour mark, Jeff Paulus, head coach for Edmonton, replaced academy graduate David Doe with Marcus Velado-Tsegaye, who also graduated from the academy program.
Velado-Tsegaye showcased his strengths right off the bat. He is known for being a direct winger who looks for the goal and right away, he ran at the Valour defense before firing a shot that missed the Valour net. He had another attempt, which was similar to his first run. This time his shot hit the target, but was saved by Janssens
Valour came close to getting the go-ahead goal on 70 minutes. The team worked the ball into the box and found an unmarked Dylan Sacramento. The midfielder tried to chip the ball over James, but his effort went over the crossbar.
Valour got the opening goal through second half substitute Musse. Petrasso won the ball on the wings before firing a cross into the box, which was met by Musse and he had an easy tap in to make it 1-0 for the visitors.
Edmonton tried to respond right away. Velado-Tsegaye latched onto a loose ball inside the box, but his near-post effort was saved by the Valour keeper. That was the final chance for Edmonton as they fell to Valour FC.
Marco Bustos found himself on a clear breakaway in the final moments, but James came up with a huge save to keep it at 1-0. Despite his heroics, Edmonton was unable to find the equalizing goal.