When Canadian soccer fans ask "where will Jordyn Huitema sign?" it won't be about a letter of commitment to an NCAA powerhouse.

So, the Fury, though it led all independent USL or MLS teams in terms of minutes played by Canadians in 2018, needs to sing its own praises, too. The club needs to be even louder when it comes to broadcasting the idea that, yes, you can develop local players in a USL environment, as well. 

Cavalry FC has inked four more Canadians, three of whom were with last year's PDL-winning Foothills FC side.

There’s something that no one will ever be able to take away from the players who are in uniform for their respective teams’ first-ever Canadian Premier League games: Those players will always be able to say they were CanPL day-one’rs. They’ll always have that historical link to the league and Canadian soccer.

“Soccer is about opportunity, and the Impact didn’t need me right now,” said Lamy. “I hope that the opportunity comes that they are going to need me.”

But today’s kit was, well, underwhelming. It was as if Nike was like “quick, we need to get Canada a kit in time for this January friendly!” and sent a couple of boxes of generic black shirts and shorts to Spain.

“Wataru is technically gifted, incredibly exciting to watch, and he’s got exactly the right frame of mind to come continue his professional career in Canada.” said York 9 manager Jim Brennan in a release issued by the team. “He’s explosive and exceptionally quick off the ball. He’s going to be a great asset to our club.”

So, on Tuesday, when Saputo pledged to turn over control of the team to new president Kevin Gilmore, it marked a massive change in direction. Cynics — myself included — will wonder just how long this kind of arrangement can last.

The exodus of former Vancouver Whitecaps prospects who played for Fresno in 2018 continues.

Powley and James are the seventh and eighth players on the FCE roster ahead of the 2019 Canadian Premier League season. Of those eight, seven are Edmontonians.