The new approach from Belan is in contrast to appearances from a year ago when it looked as though Saskatchewan might join the Canadian Premier League for its inaugural season.

FC Edmonton announced the signings of five players on Thursday, three of them who have worn FCE colours in the NASL — veteran striker Tomi Ameobi, local midfielder Edem Mortotsi and defender Kareem Moses.

On Wednesday, Wanderers announced the signing of the club’s first local player, 17-year-old Scott Firth.

The two teams will play April  27, exactly one year after the league launched its identity and branding.

Honestly, it's hard to keep up with the Canadian soccer news. And, how often have we been able to say that? That there's so much Canadian soccer news coming out in such a short period of time, that we're having a hard time following it all?

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.”