But, on the practical side, the second they get sworn in, things change for FC Edmonton coach Colin Miller. Fordyce and Watson will no longer be international players, so that means two precious international roster spots open up for Miller to use as he wishes.

“I’d take that every day,” said Miller. “Every club I played at, I’d fought. Not that I’m condoning fighting or promoting fighting, but I’ve been in a few of those. But it’s only because I cared and other people didn’t care quite as much. I don’t think that was the case this morning. The guys, I think, are in a very good place. I don’t mind that so long as they shake hands after and we’re all good. We can’t all be the very best of friends all of the time, that’s for sure.”

First off, I want to say I’m delighted to be back in the broadcast booth with Gareth Hampshire for the season. We’ve been doing Eddies games together since 2011 — when the Eddies were playing home games on the tiny Foote Field pitch.

This past weekend, the Edmonton teenager made his pro debut, playing 80 minutes in FC Edmonton’s 1-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

The slump in oil prices? Tom Heinemann’s fault. The Leap Manifesto? Tom Heinemann. The LRT line to NAIT? Tom Heinemann designed that.

“They have a real fighting spirit, like the Canadians.” And, Herdman says the Aussies can burn you with plenty of scoring threats around the park.

But when the chance comes, the quality of that final ball is disappointing. It’s a habit the players hope to correct when they visit the Tampa Bay Rowdies Saturday.

The Impact is well behind the Whitecaps and Toronto FC when it gives to offering playing time to Canadian players. But, out of those three Canadian MLS organizations, it leaves TFC and the Whitecaps in the dust when it comes to giving domestic players time on the pitch at the USL level.

"But, within my heart I know I left something special behind, a good group of lads, good coaching staff. But, overall, I was really emotional for this game."

FC Edmonton lost its home opener by a 2-0 count to Minnesota United, Sunday. But, on the day, the gap between the teams deserved to be emphasized by a margin of greater than two goals.