2016 OUTLOOK | FC Edmonton

Venue: Clarke Stadium

Coach: Colin Miller (Fourth year)

2015 Finish: 10th place (Spring); 5th (Fall); 7th (Combined)

Key Players: Dustin Corea, Adam Eckersley, Nik Ledgerwood, Ritchie Jones, Tomi Ameobi, Daryl Fordyce

The Eddies re-signed eight players from last year’s squad and exercised team options on three others. With Lance Laing gone to Minnesota, the El Salvador international Dustin Corea, 24, should slot more comfortably into the left side of the attack. The additions of the Canadian international midfielder Nik Ledgerwood, 30, and the Manchester United Academy defender Adam Eckersley, 30, should give Edmonton experience and stability in the middle of the park. Ritchie Jones, 29, another product of the Manchester United Academy, returns in the midfield while Daryl Fordyce, 29, who has scored 21 goals in three years in Alberta does as well.

FC Edmonton also seems poised to start receiving the benefits of a strong youth development program. Two of the team’s young players -- defender Marko Aleksic, 19, and midfielder Shamit Shome, 18 – were called into Canada’s under-20 national team for an international friendly in England. Another youngster, Sadi Jalali, 20, has played for Canada’s U-17 and U-20 teams. Allan Zebie, 22, is another player from the FC Edmonton Academy that should have a big role to play in 2016.  

What They’re Saying: “This is the most exciting group of players we have been able to assemble at FC Edmonton and we know that the league is getting better every year and that the teams are strengthening their squads.” –Coach Colin Miller

“I want to be pushing on and challenging for things. With the additions, and the way we look in training, we have a decent squad and a lot of depth. Who says we can’t go on and challenge for the league? It’s a good opportunity for me to come in and do well. Hopefully we can bond as a team and get into the playoffs.” –Defender Adam Eckersley

2016 Outlook: Coach Colin Miller embarked on an ambitious preseason, taking the team on a training/playing trip to his native Scotland. The team came away with three victories in four games. It was certainly an important team-building exercise for a disparate group of players. We will see if the Eddies reap the dividends beginning on April 2 when they travel to Oklahoma City to face Rayo OKC in its first regular season NASL match.

For the Eddies to have success the mix of experience and youth will need to blend well. Defensively, Edmonton will have to avoid conceding the early goals that plagued the club in the early part of 2015. The attack created plenty of goalscoring opportunities a year ago and is once again filled with talent. Dustin Corea, Ritchie Jones, and Daryl Fordyce have all returned. Tomi Ameobi, 27, and new signing Jake Keegan, 24, could form a strong partnership on the Eddies’ front line.