FC Edmonton continues to earn points despite falling behind early in matches, and the attack is a main reason for why

FC Edmonton may not be starting matches how head coach Colin Miller would like, as the Eddies have been slow to settle in and often times conceding early goals.

Miller, however, can certainly have no complaints about how the Eddies have finished and are overcoming those early stumbles. Other than the loss to Jacksonville Armada FC, the Eddies have overturned deficits to earn points.

Those spirited comebacks have shown the character within the FC Edmonton squad.

“I think the character of the group is unquestioned,” Miller told NASL.com. “The last 20 minutes of games we seem to be getting stronger, which is a credit to how hard we work with the players in training and their attitude to do the right things as often as they can.

“The character in the group and the staff – everybody working with the guys – is second to none. It could be the difference between reaching the playoffs or not reaching the playoffs.”

Typically known for their staunch defending, the Eddies have shown a devastating attack. Including the Amway Canadian Championship contests, FC Edmonton has scored 11 goals in its last four games.

Sainey Nyassi has joined from Finnish side Rovaniemen Palloseura (RoPS) and has been dynamic on the opposite flank from Lance Laing. The Gambian international has added goals, speed, and creativity from the outside midfield position, while Laing has continued where he left off in 2014.

“We try not to focus on individuals, but I think the combination of Laingy and Sainey, Michael Nonni has come on and done a really good job. Daryl Fordyce, Ritchie Jones, and Chad Burt as well have all contributed to a very positive team,” Miller said.

“I don’t want to focus and put unnecessary pressure on one particular player, but the play of those guys is very pleasing.”

Laing, in particular, has combined extremely well with forward Tomi Ameobi, assisting on three of the Englishman’s four goals in all competitions this season.

“We’re in a good place,” Miller said. “The guys are playing well, and we’re totally committed. We just have to keep this going.”

Hanson Boakai, an exciting young prospect that’s still trying to nail down regular first-team minutes, offers another creative element and one Miller can use off the bench or from the start when the Eddies need a little extra attacking potency.

“He’s been at his best when he’s come off the bench,” Miller said. “There’s no question he can come on and change the game.”

And if the Eddies can combine their attacking outbursts so far and right the ship a bit defensively, they will be even tougher to beat moving forward.

“We have prided ourselves on being tough to beat, and we go into each game that way,” Miller said. “For the most part, it’s worked for us. The last few games we’ve given away some sloppy goals by the Eddies’ standards, but we’ll continue to work on it.

FC Edmonton travel to New York to face the Cosmos on Sunday, May 4 at 2:00 p.m. ET in a match between one of the league’s most exciting attacks against the league’s best defense thus far.