News

Scouting The Opponent: FC Edmonton

The match is the Cosmos’ second-to-last home game of the season
Published Oct 14, 2017

The New York Cosmos meet FC Edmonton for the fourth and final time this season with a 7:00 pm meeting on Saturday, October 14 at MCU Park in Brooklyn. The teams have split the first three meetings this season, with each side winning an away match before a 1-1 draw in Edmonton in the teams’ last meeting on August 11.

The lone Canadian squad in the NASL has had a rough season, as they sit seventh in the NASL Combined Standings with 25 points heading into Saturday’s match. However, the Cosmos shouldn’t take the Eddies lightly, as three points are critical for New York’s postseason push.

Here are a few players the Cosmos will need to watch for on Saturday night.

Goalkeeper: Tyson Farago

Tyson Farago, the Eddies’ 26-year-old goalkeeper, has started all 11 games in the fall season for his club, and that trend is expected to continue on Saturday night. Now in his fourth season in Edmonton, the keeper has made 42 saves on 57 shots for a 73.7 save percentage over 13 total games this season. 

In two games against New York in his career, both this season, Farago is 0-1-1 (W-D-L) while saving 9 of 11 shots he has faced, conceding one goal in each game. 

Defender: Abdoulaye Diakité

Since joining FC Edmonton last season, 24-year-old, Abdoulaye Diakité, has been one of the NASL’s top defenders. In 2016, the center-back was a mainstay on the Edmonton back line that gave up 21 goals in 32 matches, an NASL record. Last season, he was named the NASL Young Player of the Year and earned a spot on the NASL Best XI.

The 2017 season has featured more of the same from the Senegal native. Over 23 starts, Diakité has made 132 total clearances, which ranks him third in the NASL. He has also connected on 644 of his team-high 796 passes for an 80.9 percent accuracy rate. The Cosmos will need to get past Diakité in order to score, as the defender has made 49 interceptions this season while blocking 20 shots. 

Midfielder: Ben Fisk

Midfielder, Ben Fisk, has been one of the Eddies’ most consistent players over the course of the season. He has been one of the league’s top distributors, finding a teammate on 81.7 percent of his passes while leading the NASL in crosses with 179. He also ranks third in the league in chances created with 47.

In New York’s lone win over Edmonton on July 15, Fish did not take a single shot in a 1-0 Cosmos win. However, Fisk has been good at creating opportunities lately, as he has recorded at least two shots in eight of his last nine appearances.

Forward: Tomi Ameobi

If the Cosmos can keep forward, Tomi Ameobi, off the board on Saturday, they probably have a good shot at winning. But it won’t be easy, as Ameobi has been strong against New York this season, scoring a brace in a 4-2 Eddies win in Brooklyn on June 7 before adding an assist in a 1-1 draw on August 11.

The 29-year-old is one of FC Edmonton’s longest-serving players, having been with the club since 2014. He has scored at least six goals in three of his four seasons in Edmonton, including seven goals in just 18 games in 2015. All of his six goals have been scored inside the box this season, half of which have come on headers. The New York back line will need to stand strong and match Ameobi at all costs in order to keep the veteran off the score sheet. 

Come to MCU Park and see the Cosmos take on FC Edmonton in their penultimate home game of the season TONIGHT at 7:00 pm. To purchase tickets, click here.