PREVIEW: Valour FC vs. FC Edmonton – Match #59

With just 48 hours separating them from their last match, Valour FC will be back on the pitch at IG Field on Monday for a weeknight showdown with FC Edmonton.

Valour's Saturday evening game was one that left them frustrated, as they were beaten 3-1 at home by Forge FC, conceding the third goal just seconds after they'd scored to come within one. As a result, they're back in the basement of the league table, after Pacific FC won to move ahead of them. Valour's 1-3-3 record has them on six points from the Fall competition.

The Eddies are also coming off an offensively stunted performance, having played Cavalry FC to a scoreless draw at Spruce Meadows on Friday. They need a result here to keep pace at the top of the table, having been bumped from the top spot by Forge's win on Saturday. They're a point back of first place, albeit with one more game played than Forge and Cavalry.

These sides have met three times already, including in early May for Edmonton's first-ever match (a 2-1 road win for FCE). Since then, Valour's also got a road win against the Eddies, and the two clubs drew 0-0 in mid-July.

FC Edmonton's next challenger will be York9 FC, who visit Clarke Field next Sunday, August 25 (6:00 p.m. ET, 4:00 p.m. MT, on OneSoccer). Valour will head out on the road next weekend to play Pacific FC in the grand opening of Westhills Stadium (6:00 p.m. ET, 3:00 p.m. PT, on OneSoccer).

• Stand your ground: Valour's centre-backs were completely overwhelmed before two of Forge's goals on Saturday, as Anthony Novak and Chris Nanco cut through them far too easily. FC Edmonton's forwards are even more physical, and as such they'll be hoping to punish Valour in the same way. Adam Mitter and Yohan Le Bourhis, if they both line up at CB again, need to be stronger and avoid being pushed around by Easton Ongaro or Oumar Diouck.​
• Be clinical: The Eddies had plenty of chances on Friday in Calgary, with eight shots on target. None of them found the back of the net, though, as they made life too easy for goalkeeper Niko Giantsopoulos with soft, hurried shooting. They need, perhaps, to be a little more patient, taking an extra touch if needed, to pick out the dangerous spots.​
• Shake it off: Having another game so close to Saturday's loss is both a blessing and a curse for Valour. On one hand, they can reverse their fortunes very quickly and relieve their frustration with a win. On the other, it'll be almost impossible for them to work on anything in great detail in training before Monday. Rob Gale might not be able to make any significant tactical adjustments, but it'll be interesting to see how well Valour has used its lone day of recovery.​

Valour FC: Mathias Janssens; Martin Arguinarena, Adam Mitter, Yohan Le Bourhis, Diego Gutierrez; Jose Galan, Louis Béland-Goyette; Michael Petrasso, Dylan Carreiro, Marco Bustos; Michele Paolucci

FC Edmonton: Connor James; Allan Zebie, Mélé Temguia, Amer Didic, Jeannot Esua; Bruno Zebie, Ramon Soria, Tony Tchani, Ajay Khabra; Easton Ongaro, Oumar Diouck



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