“I really want to see FC Edmonton build. I want to see this club build to the point where it’s the most popular team in North America that’s not in MLS — where Montreal has been up until this year. Everyone used to ask, ‘why isn’t Montreal in MLS?’ I want people to say ‘why isn’t Edmonton in MLS?’ "

FC Edmonton will be delaying the announcement of where it will play its home games in the 2012 season.

Better late than never. Chilean forward Yashir Pinto finally made his debut on the FC Edmonton practice pitch Thursday.

The Vancouver Whitecaps certainly scored well in the PR department Sunday, as it beat the reigning CIS champion University of Victoria Vikes Sunday, in front of 2,831 fans in the B.C capital.

The team has confirmed that it is targeting the first week of March for a major announcement on its stadium plans for the upcoming season.

FC Edmonton coach Harry Sinkgraven said he has interest in “a couple” of the players he saw put through their paces over the weekend at the NASL Combine.

Director of Soccer Operations Joe Petrone said Thursday that FC Edmonton’s training camp roster is very nearly full — and that there are at max four more spots that can be handed out to hopefuls.

Six Canada-eligible players will head to Fort Lauderdale this weekend, trying to land jobs with FC Edmonton or one of the other seven NASL teams.

Hatchi’s recommendation has brought his French compatriot, Jonathan Joseph-Augustin, to Edmonton on a two-week trial.

Chilean forward Yashir Pinto and his agent were at FC Edmonton’s training session Tuesday at the Victoria Soccer Centre. By Wednesday, if he passes his medical, he’ll be ready for full training as the newest member of the club.