FC Edmonton has a new coach and an almost entirely new starting XI. But Saturday’s 2-0 loss on the Metrodome turf to Minnesota United FC felt a lot like the 2012 season.

“This is a player I have wanted for a long time,” said FCE coach Colin Miller. “He is busy with the ball, and he will retain possession. He will get into the box and score some goals, as well. He’s a fresh face, which means more competition for places. There is no complacency at all on the team.”

On Saturday, it was another two goalposts off of clear scoring chances, and FCE and its supporters can only wonder what could have been, as the Carolina RailHawks opened their renovated new home park with a 2-1 win over the Eddies.

FC Edmonton confirmed that it will be announcing a new player on Saturday, pending that player passing a medical after he arrives in Canada. That player is expected to be Northern Irish international Robert Garrett, who Linfield FC announced would be going to Edmonton on loan for the NASL season.

In his NASL coaching debut, Colin Miller had to settle for a draw.

Usually, the final game of a team's preseason schedule tells you a lot about where a coach's head is at. The final preseason tuneup isn't so much a match of trial and error as it is a dress rehearsal for the season to come.

“I just want to prove a point to myself and to the coach. I want to show that I can go out there and score goals. I can start, or I can come off the bench and contribute. I am not concerned about the age factor. Age is just a number.”

Hometown products Shaun Saiko, who led the team in scoring last season, and fullback Antonio Rago were officially placed on the list, but Alberta-born centre back and NASL Best XI member Paul Hamilton was not part of the 16.

According to a release on the Belfast club Linfield FC's website released this weekend: "Former Linfield players Albert Watson and Daryl Fordyce have today signed for FC Edmonton in Canada following a two-week trial."

It sounds like the beginning of a bad pub joke: Two Irish guys walk up to a police constable, and the officer tells them to get in the back of the van.