News

Edmonton, Alberta (February 25, 2013) - With less than a month to go before the team takes its preseason training on the road to Vancouver - the coaches have filled the first 16 spots on a potential 25-man roster.

Among the 16, are hometown favourites Shaun Saiko and Antonio Rago, who will be looked at as veterans having played with the club for the past three seasons. Off season signings and familiar faces from the NASL, Neil Hlavaty and Wesley Knight also made the cut.

The two trialists from Northern Ireland, Albert Watson and Daryl Fordyce have also found their place amongst the 16. Also, the five most recent signings from the FC Edmonton Reserve squad find their names on the list.

“We have a good mix of youth, veterans, Canadians and imports in this list and the squad is shaping up nicely so far,” said head coach Colin Miller. “There are still spots available so competition for the remaining spots will be high this week.”

The coaches will make more cuts at the end of this week and training will continue at Commonwealth throughout the preseason before heading to Vancouver Mar. 21-31.

After preseason camp wraps up in Vancouver, the team has a quick turn-around in Edmonton before heading off on a two-game road trip to Fort Lauderdale and Carolina to kick off the season.

The Eddies play their first home game at Commonwealth Stadium as they take on the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Amway Canadian Championship on April 24. The team’s first NASL home game takes place at Clarke Field on April 28 against the San Antonio Scorpions.

FC Edmonton Roster:

John Smits

Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario

Birthdate: September 7, 1988

Position: Goalkeeper

Lance Parker

Hometown: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Birthdate: August 19, 1985

Position: Goalkeeper

Albert Watson

Hometown: Belfast, Northern Ireland

Birthdate: September 8, 1985

Position: Defender

 Antonio Rago

Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta

Birthdate: November 5, 1990

Position: Defender

Chris de Guise

Hometown: Montreal, Quebec

Birthdate: August 28, 1993

Position: Defender

David Proctor

Hometown: Bellshill, Scotland

Birthdate: May 4, 1984

Position: Defender

Lance Laing

Hometown: Trelawny Parish, Jamaica

Birthdate: February 28, 1988

Position: Defender

Mallan Roberts

Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta

Birthdate: June 6, 1992

Position: Defender

Wesley Knight

Hometown: Easley, South Carolina

Birthdate: September 6, 1986

Position: Defender

Chris Nurse

Hometown: London, England

Birthdate: May 7, 1984

Position: Midfielder

Hanson Boakai

Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta

Birthdate: October 28, 1996

Position: Midfielder

Neil Hlavaty

Hometown: Berwyn, Illinois

Birthdate: December 27, 1986

Position: Midfielder

 Shaun Saiko

Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta

Birthdate: November 13, 1989

Position: Midfielder

Ajeej Sarkaria

Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta

Birthdate: February 7, 1995

Position: Forward

Daryl Fordyce

Hometown: Belfast Northern Ireland

Birthdate: January 2, 1987

Position: Forward

Sadi Jalali

Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta

Birthdate: June 6, 1995

Position: Forward