Etienne Barbara has been named the NASL player of the month. The physical Maltese forward from the Carolina RailHawks is tied for the league scoring lead with four markers, and has victimized both Canadian NASL teams in the first month of the season.

Our good friends at IMSoccer News, a fantastic spot to catch up on the happenings of Div. 2, have their latest podcast up, and it features an interview with NASL commissioner David Downs. As well, yours truly talks with host Brian Quarstad about FC Edmonton’s struggles in their recent two all-Canadian match-ups, in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship against Toronto FC and in NASL action Sunday against Montreal. FC Edmonton lost those games by an aggregate score of 8-0.

The NASL’s disciplinary committee decided not to lengthen the red-card suspensions of FC Edmonton keeper Rein Baart and forward Chris Lemire.

Canadian men’s national team coach Stephen Hart held a conference call Tuesday to discuss the team’s preparation ahead of the Gold Cup and the June 1 friendly against Ecuador at BMO Field. Hart touched on a number of topics, from mixed messages over the availability of attacking midfielder Dwayne De Rosario for the Gold Cup, where Simeon Jackson will play in the Canadian lineup and the possibility that Montreal Impact or FC Edmonton players could get call-ups.

The Montreal Impact sent all of NASL a message on Sunday night. And FC Edmonton showed some serious defensive and goalkeeping frailties. The Impact routed FCE 5-0 in the first NASL game played at Foote Field, with league commissioner David Downs in attendance.

Will Bruin is, through, the first seven weeks of the MLS season, the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year honours. With a hat trick in Houston’s 4-1 win D.C. United on Friday, Bruin earned Player of the Week honours after the votes from the North American Soccer Reporters were counted. Bruin became only the player in MLS history to notch a hat trick in his rookie campaign.

So, Saturday’s road date in Seattle — one of the big boys in the West, and sure ro be inspired in its first game after losing midfielder Steve Zakuani thanks to a horror tackle from Colorado’s Brian Mullan — was arguably the first true exam of TFC’s credentials. And, it showed us the club has a long way to go. A long way. All of the pundits who have been placing TFC at the bottom of their MLS power rankings were proven right as the Reds stumbled to a 3-0 loss.

Canada’s national women’s team has another injury scare to contend with ahead of the World Cup. Goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe injured her knee Sunday in a Swedish league match. Labbe, who plays for Pitea IF, collided with a Kristianstad striker in the 21st minute. According to the Norrbottens Kuriren Labbe tried to continue, but had to be subbed off five minutes after the incident.

FC Edmonton's home-game broadcasts will be available on Shaw TV. The team will not only be webcasting its home games on its website, as per NASL mandate, fans will also be able to watch matches on channel in the Edmonton area. Tape-delayed games will air Saturdays at 1 p.m. local time. Foote Field, the team’s home stadium, doesn’t have the facilities to do a live TV feed, but can accommodate live webcasts. The on-air crew will see the CBC’s Gareth Hampshire calling the play-by-play and, ahem, The 11’s Steven Sandor providing the colour.

That concern is extended to what’s happening at Stade Saputo. Or, more accurately, what’s not happening at Stade Saputo. Through two home dates, there have been a concerning number of unused blue seats.