Daryl Fordyce is Named NASL Player of the Week
FC Edmonton forward Daryl Fordyce is named NASL Player of the Week following his two-goal match that helped the Eddies salvage a point versus Ottawa Fury FC at TD Place. FC Edmonton return to Clarke Field on Sunday afternoon to host Miami FC with kickoff set for 4 p.m. ET.
NASL Soccer News: Down a pair of goals midway through its road clash with Canadian rival Ottawa Fury FC on Friday night, FC Edmonton looked to be waving goodbye to its impressive unbeaten streak. Forward Daryl Fordyce had other ideas, though, scoring twice to help the Eddies earn a crucial point away from home in a 2-2 draw at TD Place. Fordyce’s heroic performance earned him North American Soccer League (NASL) Player of the Week honors.
Fury FC jumped out to a 2-0 lead in front of its home fans, but Fordyce was able to pull one back for the Eddies just before halftime, heading home a corner kick from teammate Sainey Nyassi. With the score still, 2-1, in the 62nd minute, the Northern Irishman pulled things level, latching onto a long ball from defender Shawn Nicklaw before coolly finishing past Ottawa goalkeeper Romuald Peiser.
“The two goals simply came from two great assists on Friday,” Fordyce said. “It’s really nice being named NASL Player of the Week, but I would have preferred the three points instead. It’s the final stretch, and myself and the rest of the players are in good spirits. We’ll just keep getting along with our jobs – day in and day out – and we’ll continue to work very hard for each other.”
The comeback draw ensured that the Eddies kept their unbeaten streak alive, as the side hasn’t lost since July 23 in Indianapolis. The performance from Fordyce is surely just as encouraging for head coach Colin Miller’s side, which will need the 29-year-old forward down the stretch. Fordyce has three goals in his last three league games after scoring just four in his first 18 this year.
“I think that Daryl is thoroughly deserving of NASL Player of the Week honors,” Miller said. “I actually just finished doing my own report on the game itself, and I couldn’t help but notice the strong performance that Daryl put in. He’s such a quality professional and a great ambassador for the club, and I’m delighted for him.”
Fordyce, who will make his 100th appearance for the club the next time he steps on the field, is in the midst of his fourth season in Edmonton. The Belfast native has been a model for consistency since joining the club in 2013, scoring at least six league goals each season. The former Northern Ireland youth international moved to the NASL from NIFL Premiership side Linfield. He has experience playing in England as well, having been on the books at Portsmouth and Bournemouth from 2005-07.
Thanks to the play of Fordyce and his teammates, the Eddies are in a great position in the race for a spot in the postseason. The Canadian side sits in second place in both the Fall Season Standings (24 pts.) and Combined Standings (41 pts.). The Eddies also hold two games in hand over the clubs directly around them in the table: New York Cosmos, Indy Eleven, and Minnesota United.
The Eddies now return home to Clarke Field, where they have been nearly unbeatable this year, to host Miami FC on Sunday at 4 p.m. ET (2 p.m. local time).
Source/Photo Credit: North American Soccer League
