FC Edmonton’s roster was depleted; the team had just a keeper and 12 outfield players healthy enough to play. Thanks to omissions, injuries and Gold Cup call-ups, the New York Cosmos brought a squad to Edmonton that looked nothing like the kind of team we see in NASL week in, week out. Thanks to a 79th-minute goal from Eric Calvillo …

“I felt in preseason that I was doing really well,” Fisk said. “And then I kind of fell out of the team a bit. Now that I have gotten myself back in, I feel that it’s taken a few games to kind of find my feet, to find my full 90-minute fitness. I think in the last couple of games, I’ve done a lot better, and I think Carolina was one of my better games so far. Hopefully I can build off of that.”

Would Miller entertain the thought of a Fordyce return? Judging from the coach’s comments, the door is open.

What we do need to have is our own “national” soccer team. I put “national” in quotes because, well, it would be only a sort-of national soccer team.

Dean Shiels tenure as an Eddie lasted a little less than half an NASL season.

Any time you see a 9-0 scoreline it turns your head. And, in USL action last week, that’s exactly what Canadian Jordan Murrell and his Reno teammates did, putting nine by LA Galaxy II.

“A Portuguese player once said, the goals come like ketchup. Once you get one, all the rest come after it,” said Eustaquio. This is especially poignant considering that Eustaquio grew up in Leamington, Ont., which is the tomato and ketchup capital of Canada. Damn, do I love it when the player provides the poetry for me. Makes this “game story” thing so much easier.

What’s the nature of the deal? Does he still get a GA payout? Does Dallas retain his rights in any way? Well, that part is about as clear as mud. I asked FC Dallas’s front office this morning about Reid’s status, and was told the team had no comment, as it was still awaiting directions from MLS HQ.

As the Carolina RailHawks, the NASL franchise now known as North Carolina FC never won a game at Clarke Field, and were on the end of the some real pastings. Look at the history of FC Edmonton, and the list of most-lopsided wins in club history are filled with “home to Carolina.”

So, you’d think that getting your Canadian permanent-residency status would make things a little easier on an FC Edmonton player. No more occupying one of the team’s seven international roster slots. Travel to the United States for road trips should be easier. Canadian paperwork should become a heck of a lot easier.