FC Edmonton won its first match of the preseason Saturday, 4-1 over the Univesity of New Mexico in Arizona. In Thursday’s 1-1 draw with UNM, coach Harry Sinkgraven started a group of players that included proejcted back-ups. On Saturday, he played what, depending on some signings to come in the next couple of weeks, will be close to the starting XI fans will see April 9 when FCE opens its inaugural NASL campaign against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Dan Antoniuk’s trial with FC Edmonton may have gone too well. The San Diego Sockers, Antoniuk’s current indoor-soccer club, confirmed Friday that he won’t be returning to Cincinnati for the Professional Arena Soccer League’s North American Championship. Not because Antoniuk is still with FC Edmonton, but because he accepted a one-game trial with FC Dallas.

Dan Antoniuk’s continued his impressive audition for a spot on the FC Edmonton roster. The striker scored the opening goal Thursday in the new NASL team’s 1-1 draw with the University of New Mexico in a friendly in Arizona.

The Montreal Impact announced its plan to transform Stade Saputo into an MLS-ready facility. Owner Joey Saputo lifted the curtain on a plan to increase the stadium’s capacity from 13,034 to 20,431. The plan calls for 3,500 seats in a new west grandstand and 1,250 additional seats in the southeast and southwest corners. Another 1,000 seats will be installed in the east grandstand.

FC Edmonton got a taste of MLS competition in its preseason opener Monday in Arizona, dropping a 3-0 decision to the reserve squad of MLS Cup finalists FC Dallas. Homegrown prospect Ruben Luna put FCD ahead just three minutes into the games as the Edmonton side, in only in its second day in Arizona, struggled to adjust to the pace of a team that is nearing the end of its preseason conditioning.

FC Edmonton has announced its full preseason schedule for the Arizona portion of its training camp. Highlighting the trip is a game against MLS Cup finalist FC Dallas, March 7 in Casa Grande, Ariz.

Mel Kowalchuk has announced his resignation as the general manager of FC Edmonton. The team, which leaves Monday for the Arizona portion of its preparations for its first NASL season made the announcement Friday.

FC Edmonton announced that it has inked a former member of the Montreal Impact to deal to spend the 2011 NASL season in the Alberta Capital. Alex Suprenant, who struggled to find time in the Impact lineup — and played for the club’s Canadian Soccer League affiliate, the Trois-Rivieres Attak. The defender played a part in the Impact’s run to the CONCACAF Champions League quarter-finals in 2008-09, when then-coach John Limniatis had to juggle his roster because of a busy USL schedule mixed with the CCL.

Luke Kreamalmeyer led the way as the Montreal Impact finally beat an MLS team in preseason play. After loss to Portland and Sporting Kansas City, Montreal defeated FC Dallas 3-0 Wednesday in Arizona. But it has to be noted that FCD left most of its starting lineup well away from the pitch for this game. No sign of league MVP David Ferreira, striker Brek Shea, midfielder Daniel Hernandez or Winnipeg-raised defender Ugo Ihemelu. Regular starting keeper Kevin Hartman didn’t play, either.

FC Edmonton has added four more Alberta-based players to its roster, bringing the number of signed players to 12 for the upcoming NASL season. Chris Kooy, the former member of the USL Calgary Mustangs who captained FCE in its season of friendlies in 2010, has been confirmed to return. Keeper Jaswinder Gill, a 2010 Canada West all-star with the University …