Archive for January 8th, 2013

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Wes Knight joins FC Edmonton; combine invitees Okai and Mirabelli get trials

By
Steven Sandor
– 01/08/2013

Wes Knight is now an Eddie.

The former Vancouver Whitecap and San Antonio Scorpion has just been signed by FC Edmonton for the 2013 season. The American midfielder/defender was cut loose by the Whitecaps part way through the team’s debut MLS season in 2011, then played the 2012 campaign with the Scorpions, helping that team to an NASL regular-season title.

Knight spent two seasons with the Whitecaps in Division 2 and made the jump with the team to MLS. And, while in Vancouver, he played under a coaching staff that included assistant Colin Miller, who is now FCE’s head coach.

“We had a great season in San Antonio,” said Knight. “But maybe with the new stadium coming in, we couldn’t get a deal in place that was mutually beneficial. Then Edmonton came in with an offer, and I wanted to be in a place where my value was appreciated.”

And he said Miller told him that he “wanted to help build something” in Edmonton.
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Payne: TFC “can afford to wait” for Nelsen

By
Mark Polishuk
– 01/08/2013

Ryan Nelsen… still with QPR, but will join TFC as the new head coach later on.

Ryan Nelsen will become Toronto FC’s latest head coach… eventually.

In a situation that beggars belief but underscores TFC management’s faith in its new hire, Nelsen may not be available until late May due to his existing contract as a player with Queens Park Rangers of the English Premiership. Unless an agreement can be worked out between TFC and QPR before the end of the January transfer window, Nelsen will still be playing in London until the EPL season’s end, leaving Toronto without a coach through the preseason and over a third of the regular season.

This delay is a sacrifice that TFC president and general manager Kevin Payne was willing to make to ensure that Nelsen was in the fold.

“My feeling about Ryan is that he’s going to be leading this team for five years to come and if I have to wait a couple of months for him to start that process, I can afford to wait,” Payne said. “I’d rather do that than make the wrong decision or a decision I didn’t want to make for the short term.”
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3

Miller: Expect different Canadian team for January friendlies

By
Steven Sandor
– 01/08/2013

Colin Miller

Colin Miller, the interim head coach of the Canadian men’s national team, said we can expect to see a brand new side for two upcoming friendlies.

Miller, FC Edmonton’s head coach and national-team veteran, was named the team’s interim coach Monday. He’ll take the reins for a camp that begins Jan. 19, and includes friendlies against Denmark Jan. 26 in Tucson, Ariz. and a game against the Americans Jan. 29 in Houston.

While Miller has had some confirmations, he said he can’t divulge any of the roster at the moment.

“But I can say that the team will bear very little resemblance of the squad that went to Honduras,” said Miller. “It’s my goal to make sure the players who are coming in will be motivated and will want to help the program move forward. Playing for the national team is a privilege, not a divine right.”
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Porter gets deadline from FCE: Sign deal or we move on without you

By
Steven Sandor
– 01/08/2013

FCE’s Kyle Porter, in black, in action against the Atlanta Silverbacks.

Kyle Porter has been given a deadline by FC Edmonton coach Colin Miller. Either Porter signs the deal offered to him by the club, or the team will move on without him.

Miller confirmed today that Porter, the former Whitecap who has scored 12 goals over the last two seasons for the Eddies, has been offered a new contract. But the Canadian forward hasn’t signed the deal yet — and Miller said the club can’t wait on him. Porter has been given a deadline to make up his mind. And while the coach wouldn’t say the exact deadline day, he said the time is coming up, fast, because the team has to make alternate plans for life without Porter if the player chooses to leave.

“We have done everything we can do with Kyle and his agent,” said Miller. “We have made him a good offer.”

And Miller said he “had a real go” at Porter, urging the player to live up to his potential.
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