FC Edmonton looking at goalkeeping options ahead of Rowdies match By Steven Sandor Posted on May 27, 2013 Comments Off on FC Edmonton looking at goalkeeping options ahead of Rowdies match 0 599 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter John Smits The red card issued to FCE keeper Lance Parker in Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Fort Lauderdale have sent plenty of wheels into motion. John Smits came in for Parker, but those two are the only keepers you’ll find on Edmonton’s roster. Ahead of next Sunday’s match against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, the Eddies will have to find someone to back up Smits. “We have some very good young keepers on our reserve side, but we are speaking to one or two individuals about coming to the team on loan,” said FCE coach Colin Miller Monday. In 2011, the league allowed FC Edmonton to sign Justin Ammar to an amateur contract after an injury-and-suspension crisis took out the team’s entire goalkeeping corps. In MLS, pool players are used to help teams that have goalkeeping problems. It’s a unique position, because you can’t borrow players from other spots on the field, as you could if a fullback or a forward was hurt. So, the precedent is there for an amateur goalie to be brought up and to still keep his amateur status. But, from Miller’s comments, the preference is to bring in an experienced goalie on loan. Simon Thomas, Vancouver’s third goalkeeper, is in Edmonton at the moment, in camp with Canadian national team. FCE and the Whitecaps have an excellent working relationship. While Miller didn’t name names when it comes to the short-term loan targets, the educated guesser would put Thomas near the top of the list. As for the current Whitecaps’ player on loan to Edmonton, there is no update yet on defender Carlyle Mitchell. He rolled off the pitch in agony, clutching his left ankle, in the 16th minute of Sunday’s match. Results of the x-rays are not in yet, but Miller is hopeful the news will be good. “We haven’t got word yet, but we (the team staff) don’t feel that it’s broken.”
