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“I felt like we started the game well, Edmonton was finding their way back into the game and then the red card, obviously, changed the rhythm of the game a bit,” said Pacific FC head coach Michael Silberbauer. “We tried to push, but the energy was missing and that’s logical with the schedule we’ve had. I still felt like we created chances and had opportunities to go away with the win, but credit Edmonton, they defended well and it’s difficult task opening up a defence that is playing that deep.”

In the second half, it was evident Pacific FC were playing with heavy legs under a hot sun. FC Edmonton had the better chances despite their disadvantage.

Jeannot Esua was able to get to the end of a lofted pass from Son Yong-Chan, but hammered his volley over the net.

Later in the half, Son had an excellent chance when the ball fell to him inside the Pacific FC penalty area, but his shot was blocked by McCurdy with a desperate lunging tackle.

“Coming into half time, we weren’t worried as a team, we knew we could defend them down a man,” Paulus said. “But we wanted to be brave still, we thought we could get them on the counter attack, there was space to play down the wings and we wanted to get Jeannot and Son involved and I thought we did that in the second half.”

The tie gave FC Edmonton four points from there first two games and keeps them in good standing to challenge for the Spring Season title, which encompasses the first 10 games of the year.

Cavalry FC of Calgary currently leads the seven-team standings with nine points having won their first three games. On Sunday, Cavalry defeated Forge FC in Hamilton, 2-1, on a last-second goal.

“We came out to get the three points, we were playing at home against a team that had come in off a difficult road game,” Soria said. “But due to the circumstances, I think the point (for a tie) was good.

“It was a tough game, but I think we have to be happy with three points away for a win last week away from home and a point at home a man down.”

Email: dvandiest@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @DerekVanDiest