Edmonton FC Advances

FC Edmonton will face Major League Soccer opposition in Montréal and play the Impact in the first leg of the Amway Canadian Championship semi-final match in Ottawa.

This was all part due to the win after a decisive 3:1 victory over Ottawa Fury FC, in what those attending were calling a test of solidarity.

They managed to get two goals from’ striker Daryl Fordyce and a goal and two assists from midfielder Hanson Boakai, which somehow capped off a huge win over their North American Soccer League rivals from Ottawa.

Ottawa possessed the ball for most of the first half-hour of the match and created five corners and a free kick from Sinisa Ubiparipovic that struck the crossbar in the 27th minute.

Edmonton was on the board first after Boakai beat defender Drew Beckie with speed down the left side and drove a beautiful low cross to the feet of Fordyce, who then one-timed it past Devala Gorrick into the short side to open the score at 1-0 in the 30th minute.

The fast-paced first half was full of action and cautions for both sides and the Eddies went into the locker room after a frantic first half up 1-0.

The second half saw Edmonton double their lead in the 48th minute after Boakai was sent in alone on Ottawa keeper Gorrick and grabbed his own rebound after the initial save.

The 17-year-old got himself into the record books by becoming the youngest player in the history of the Amway Canadian Championship to score in the competition.

Boakai and Fordyce connected again to put to bed any chance of a comeback for the Fury when an Eddies’ counter fell to the feet of Boakai who passed off to Fordyce at the top of the box before he slotted his second of the match past Gorrick to make it 3-0 in the 64th minute.

A standing ovation of 2,001 fans at Clarke greeted Boakai in the 77th minute when he was brought off for Massimo Mirabelli, ending his night with a goal and two assists.

Consolation for the Fury came in the 90th minute when Vini Dantas tapped one past Smits while fending off two defenders.

FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller stated “I’m delighted with the result and with missing six first team players and starting two 17 year-olds, how could I not be delighted with the result.”

Edmonton FC continues their Amway Canadian Championship campaign at home in the first leg of the semi-final against defending champion Montréal Impact.