An early own goal by FC Edmonton ended up being the difference maker as San Francisco secured their third victory of the season over the Canadian team. The 1-0 result moved the Deltas into sole possession of second place in the NASL with three games remaining in the Spring Season.
In the eighth minute, a Kyle Bekker corner kick appeared to find the head of Deltas winger Pablo Dyego who was being defended by Edmonton’s Shawn Nicklaw. The ball actually hit off Nicklaw’s back and into the net for an own goal.
“The last two games against Edmonton were played on details and today didn’t change,” said SF Deltas head coach Marc Dos Santos. “We were able to score first and stay organized during the 90 minutes.”
Edmonton had some chances to even the game but somehow were unable to find the back of the net.
In the 25th minute, the Eddie’s Dean Shiels got behind the Deltas back line, but his shot was just touched wide by SF keeper Romuald Peiser’s foot for the save.
Early in the second half Shiels was once again set up with a golden opportunity. Edmonton striker Tomi Ameobi got by two Deltas defenders and the goalkeeper before passing the ball off to the open Shiels. His shot was denied on the goal line by Deltas defender Kenny Teijsse.
San Francisco almost salted off the game in extra-time when Kyle Bekker received a pass at the top of the box from Jackson. Bekker was denied twice by Eddie’s keeper Nathan Ingham, and then the keeper had a third save on Devon Sandoval to end the goal-scoring sequence.
“We should have killed the game in the last ten minutes, but [FCE goalkeeper Nathan] Ingham was big in some opportunities we had,” noted Dos Santos. “But, it was another win based on our mentality and commitment. We need to think about Puerto Rico now.”
The Deltas are currently seven points behind the league leaders Miami FC. San Francisco needs to earn a victory next Sunday, July 2nd at home against Puerto Rico. They then need Miami FC to either tie or lose away to North Carolina FC on July 4th. That would set up the home and home series between Miami and San Francisco on July 8th and 15th that would decide the champion of the Spring Season and an automatic berth in the NASL postseason.
