FC Edmonton’s 18-year-old midfielder made his professional debut Saturday, playing 80 minutes against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. But, he couldn’t let himself get too carried away — on Tuesday, the University of Alberta first-year engineering student wrote an exam.

“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.”

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.

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.

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

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.

"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.

“They will be hurting, because it’s their expectation to win every game. But we’re at home, and we have to build on the tremendous defensive performance on Saturday night in Oklahoma. We have to try and keep 11 players on the park, for sure.”

Dunfield had been planning to juggle playing for FC Edmonton with a part-time job as a commentator for Toronto FC matches. But, MLSE upped its offer last week — and it no longer was possible for Dunfield to juggle two jobs. He had to choose one or the other, and broadcasting won out.