Home NASL & USL FC Edmonton FCE reveals full training camp roster… Whitecaps friendly set… Monsalve out, Cuban keeper in

FCE reveals full training camp roster… Whitecaps friendly set… Monsalve out, Cuban keeper in

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FC Edmonton announced its list of 30 “trialists” invited to training camp, which officially begins tomorrow with fitness testing at the University of Alberta Butterdome.

Goalkeeper David Monsalve’s name was not on the list. FC Edmonton confirmed that Monsalve, a former national-team player and TFC member had come to a mutual agreement with the club to not extend his contract. Monsalve had slipped to No. 3 on the goalkeeping depth chart last season, behind John Smits and Lance Parker. And, the Eddies announced that Cuban national keeper Andy Ramos is with the club. Ramos, who now resides in Canada, helped Cuba to a 1-1 draw with Panama in a World Cup qualifier last year.

Parker won’t be at camp till March, until he’s clear of modeling commitments.

Former Minnesota Stars midfielder Martin Nunez was supposed to be at Commonwealth Fieldhouse on Thursday, but missed his flight to Edmonton and won’t be expected till tomorrow. Former Carolina RailHawks midfielder Chris Nurse is also on the list.

Whitecaps Residency product Michael Marousek becomes the third player who attended the November combine to get an invite to camp. He joins Massimo Mirabelli, the Canadian who recently plied his trade in Finland, and former New York Red Bulls prospect Michel Okai.

Kofi Gyawu, who had six goals and five assists at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, will also be in camp.

FC Edmonton coach Colin Miller wants to reset the club, so every player in camp is being designated a trialist — even former NASL Best XI selection Shaun Saiko and Paul Hamilton. After last year’s last-place finish under former coach Harry Sinkgraven, all bets are off.

“So far, I’m very pleased with the fitness levels of the players who have arrived,” said Miller. “Everyone has come here in good shape. Unfortunately, I am going to have to make some tough decision on some cuts in a very short time. If a player shows up who is not fit, he makes that decision easier for me. It’s an easy out.”

Miller said the team has set up some preseason matches. On March 21, the Eddies leave for a training week which will be based out of Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C. An intrasquad match is planned for the 23rd at TWU, then matches against the Whitecaps on the 26th and UBC on the 29th, both of those will likely go at Thunderbird Stadium. A fourth match, against Gonzaga University, will also take place in the Vancouver area.

Lance Laing, who made the NASL Best XI in 2011, was acquired by the Eddies in the offseason. But the big Jamaican defender might not be ready to come to camp for another six weeks because of immigration-paperwork issues.

FCE Training Camp Roster (ALL PLAYERS ARE TRIALISTS)
Neil Hlavaty – midfield
Shaun Saiko – midfield
Kenny Caceros – midfield
Chris Kooy – midfield
Eddie Edward – defence
David Proctor – defence
Paul Hamilton – defence
Antonio Rago – defence
John Smits – goalkeeper
Michael Cox – forward
Elvir Gigolaj – forward
Chris de Guise – defence
Daryl Fordyce – forward
Kofi Gyawu – forward
Sadi Jalali – forward
Wesley Knight – defence
Michael Marousek – n/a
Massimo Mirabelli – n/a
Michael Nonni – n/a
Michel Okai – n/a
Mallan Roberts – defence
Ajeej Sarkaria – midfield
Dillon Torindo – midfield
Albert Watson – defender

FC Edmonton Trialists not at Meds/Fitness Testing:
Lance Parker – goalkeeper
Hanson Boakai – n/a
Lance Laing – defence
Chris Nurse – n/a
Andy Ramos – goalkeeper
Martin Nunez – n/a

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2 Comments

  1. John Anderson

    February 17, 2013 at 12:53 am

    Why be unattached if you’re Monsalve? Could train, get fit for trials during the summer transfer window and could win the starting job until Parker comes back..

    • Steven Sandor

      February 17, 2013 at 1:12 am

      You have to remember Smits in the equation. He outplayed David last year and started 2013 ahead of Monsalve on the depth chart. Even with Parker in camp, it’s no sure thing that Lance will be No. 1 ahead of Smits.

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