FC Edmonton to unveil new Dutch midfielder at halftime of Carolina match Wednesday

FC Edmonton will unveil its new Dutch midfielder at halftime of Wednesday’s game against the Carolina RailHawks.

The midfielder, who coach Harry Sinkgraven and has been tracking since March, will do his first interview on the FCE TV broadcast with myself and play-by-play man Gareth Hampshire (Broadcast starts at 7:15 p.m. MT at fcedmonton.com) at the conclusion of the first half.

Sinkgraven will also comment on the new signing.

Neither the Dutch midfielder, who is already in town training with the club, or new fullback Jeffrey Quijano can suit up for the club until after the opening of the July 15 transfer window.

SLICK SURFACE: The RailHawks come into Edmonton after having their 10-game win streak snapped over the weekend in Minnesota.

Beware the wounded animal, as the RailHawks were shut out for the first time this season by the Stars.

But both teams will have to deal with what will be a very slick artificial surface at Foote Field. The turf has endured almost a full week of rain — and more wet stuff is in the forecast for Wednesday. Check to see the footwear choices players will make, as the field will likely be awfully fast and slick… or, slicker and faster than it usually is.

BREAK: After the 1-1 draw in Minnesota on July 4, Sinkgraven gave his troops a week off, so they could prepare for the second half of the NASL season. FCE is doing far better than expectations, sitting in second place in the league table.

Sinkgraven said Tuesday that, with many of the players — even the ones from as close as Calgary — living in Edmonton on their own, the break gave them a chance to head back to their homes and see their families.

PARKER: FCE goalkeeper Lance Parker, who suffered a compound fracture of his right arm in June, was at Foote Field on Tuesday. On July 25, Parker will leave the team for a couple of weeks and head home to Oklahoma City to collect his thoughts.

He can’t start using his arm in any way until eight weeks have passed since the injury, which came in a 1-0 loss to the RailHawks in early June. Parker tumbled over the back of RailHawks’ star striker Etienne Barbara and fell awkwardly on his arm.