It’s been a historically bad year for the “big three” Canadian club sides. Toronto FC’s struggles have been well documented and the Vancouver Whitecaps launch into MLS has been a major letdown for many – predictions of the ‘Caps having a superior way of doing things looking increasingly absurd.
The Montreal Impact, in many ways, may be having the worst season of all. Pegged to win the NASL championship by many – including this very space – at the start of the year, the Impact find themselves only ahead of the team the league put into the league to meet the minimum requirements of the USSF. The playoffs are still possible, but even if they do squeak in no one is feel good about the way 2011 has played out for Montreal.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
There has, however, been a quiet bright spot in Northern Alberta. Yesterday, FC Edmonton, predicted by many – including this very space – to finish second from bottom, clinched a playoff spot. With two games remaining FCE could finish as high as third in the table, a remarkable accomplishment for a first year club that has no fewer than 21 young Canadians on it.
Edmonton face the Impact on the final day of the season. The Impact are currently three points out of a playoff spot and that game could end up being a must-win for Montreal. It would be quite remarkable if Edmonton ended up eliminating Montreal.
As mentioned, FCE is a club that has valued young and local players. Although, based on how easily a very weak TFC handled them in the NCC, the talent gap between MLS and a mid-table NASL side is significant, it’s still likely the best story of the year in Canadian club soccer.
Unfortunately Edmonton has been largely ignored by media – including this very space – this year. That can mostly be chalked up to the fact that they play in Edmonton, away from 95 per cent of the soccer media. As well, their games are hard to see for those not in Edmonton. However, if you are a fan of the game in this country you might want to throw a support behind the club as it looks to knock off one of the two power sides, Puerto Rico and Carolina.
You should also hope that other Canadian investors see the value in D2 soccer and in the local first philosophy of FC Edmonton.