MATCH #9

FC EDMONTON (2-2-4) vs. VALOUR  FC (6-0-2)

When: Saturday, July 31, 2021, 8 p.m. CDT

Where: Clarke Field, Edmonton

How to watch: OneSoccer is broadcasting all CPL games live https://onesoccer.ca/

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MATCH PREVIEW:

Valour FC plays its first match outside of the Kickoff bubble and away from IG Field for the first time this season with a visit to the Alberta capital. Valour exited the eight-match Kickoff event with the best record in the Canadian Premier League and their six wins against two defeats has them four points clear of second place Pacific FC and Cavalry FC.

This match marks the first of a four-game road trip for Valour FC, also including visits to Pacific, to Calgary and then back to Edmonton for the finale.

Valour’s 12 goals scored is second only to Pacific’s 13 and the three goals surrendered and +9 goal differential are by far the best in the CPL. The squad will be looking to get back to winning ways after falling 1-nil to HFX Wanderers FC in their final match in the bubble.
Edmonton, meanwhile, ended its Kickoff tournament with a 1-nil loss to York United FC. They’re solid defensively, having surrendered just seven goals so far – second best to Valour – but have managed just six goals so far, second fewest.

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3 VALOUR FC PLAYERS TO WATCH

#1 Jonathan Sirois, GK: He’s been one of the most-talked about stories of the young CPL season, what with having just turned 20 and already having posted six clean sheets. In his last outing – his first loss in the Valour net – he surrendered his first goal against while setting a CPL record with 11 saves in one match.
#12 Rocco Romeo, D: Valour’s new signing arrives on loan from TFC. Should bolster an already-stingy back line. We’ll see if he gets minutes immediately.

#10 Masta Kacher, MF: He missed a good chunk of the CPL’s Kickoff event, but came on at halftime in the loss to the Wanderers and looked refreshed and dangerous on the attack. Another important piece for the club to have healthy and available again.

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INJURED

Valour will be without dominant centre back Andrew Jean-Baptiste for the rest of the season with a torn ACL; also on the mend is MF Jose Galan.

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All-Time: Valour FC vs FC Edmonton

Overall: (win-draw-loss): 4-1-1

May 4, 2019, IG Field: Valour FC 1 FC Edmonton 2

June 2, 2019, Clarke Field: FC Edmonton 0 Valour FC 1

July 17, 2019, Clarke Field: FC Edmonton 0 Valour FC 0

August 19, 2019, IG Field: Valour FC 3 FC Edmonton 1

October 5, 2019, IG Field: Valour FC 3 FC Edmonton 1

August 29, 2020, Island Games, PEI: Valour FC 2 FC Edmonton 0

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TO DATE

Match 1: Sunday, June 27 — Forge FC 0 Valour FC 2

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/we-know-we-have-a-strong-supporting-cast-it-didnt-really-matter-about-the-outside-noise-we-had-a-gameplan-and-it-worked-well-valour-fc-2-forge-fc-0

Match 2: Wednesday, June 30 – Valour FC 2 HFX Wanderers FC 0

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/10553

Match 3: Saturday, July 3 – Valour FC 2 Atlético Ottawa 0

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/it-was-very-emotional-its-special-valour-fc-2-atletico-ottawa-0

Match 4: Wednesday, July 7 — York United FC 2 Valour FC 1

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/like-ive-said-many-times-before-its-a-reward-for-the-manitoba-people-valour-fc-1-york-united-fc-2

Match 5: Sunday, July 11 – Valour FC 1 Forge FC 0.

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/we-know-player-for-player-ill-take-us-against-anyone-in-the-league-and-i-think-were-showing-that-after-five-games-so-far-valour-fc-1-forge-fc-0

Match 6: Thursday, July 15 — Atlético Ottawa 0 Valour FC 1

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/10764

Match 7: Sunday, July 18  — Valour FC 3 York United FC 0

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/weve-got-a-room-full-of-leaders-it-doesnt-matter-who-takes-the-arm-band-valour-fc-3-york-united-0

Match 8: Saturday, July 24 — HFX Wanderers 1 Valour FC 0

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/hes-a-top-class-goalie-hes-been-the-best-goalkeeper-in-the-league-valour-fc-0-hfx-wanderers-fc-1