But, starting this season, each team is required to start three Canadians for each tournament match.

“We will revisit things, as we always do, in the fall season,” said Miller after FCE’s Friday training session at Commonwealth Fieldhouse. “But, as of right now, we’re good. I am delighted with the squad.”

So, did Shiels feel the weight of expectation on his shoulders when he took the field with his new Eddies teammates for the first time Monday?

Immediately, Netan Sansara — the fullback signed by the Eddies earlier this year — came over to embrace Straith, the Canadian international. Both had played together last year at Norwegian side, Fredrikstad. Now, they’re teammates again.

So, to say that this has been a season of change for the Alberta-born Canadian national-team veteran would be understatement. He’s going through the rigours of preseason training with the Eddies, while going through the same sleep patterns that most new parents have to endure — that is, little or no sleep.

“We are looking to add two more players,” said Miller after FC Edmonton’s preseason training session Thursday at Commonwealth Fieldhouse. “One will arrive, maybe both, this weekend. That will finalize the squad that will go into the spring season. I’m excited about the group.”

“I see a different Tomi Ameobi, I’m saying that quite honestly,” said coach Colin Miller after Friday’s preseason training session at the Commonwealth Fieldhouse. “I had a long, heart-to-heart with Tomi at the end of last season and I told him that, by his standards, he underachieved.”

"The limitation on foreign players is a rule issued by U.S. Soccer, and one that we're subject to as a league. We view our new policy to consider Canadian players as domestic as a change that increases opportunities for all players."

And the team was in their new Inaria training kits. The team announced a deal with the Canadian sportswear manufacturer on Thursday. The team has worn Adidas jerseys since the 2012 season, but will move to Inaria apparel for the 2017 season. The team’s new kits will make their debuts in the weeks to come.

Chris Konopka is returning to Canada.