The Walking Eds: Injuries may force FCE to bring a skeleton squad to Fort McMurray By Steven Sandor Posted on June 30, 2015 2 0 726 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Colin Miller PHOTO: TONY LEWIS/FC EDMONTON FC Edmonton coach Colin Miller has been involved in professional soccer for more than three decades. He said Tuesday that, at no time in his career, has he been involved in an injury crisis as severe as the one FC Edmonton is in right now. The Eddies open the NASL fall season schedule Sunday against the San Antonio Scorpions in Fort McMurray. On Friday, the team will be taking the five-hour drive north on the bus. But, considering who can play and who’s on the shelf, well, a minivan might be all the Eddies will need. Miller said that, as it stands, he would only have 14 players available for Sunday — and two of them would be keepers. So, unless he’s planning to use a keeper as a sub for an outfield player, he won’t have enough to make three changes. “It’s bad enough that myself and (goalkeeping coach) Darren Woloshen might have to go in,” joked Miller. It’s good that Miller could joke about the situation; because if he wasn’t laughing, he might be crying. Forwards Tomi Ameobi and Frank Jonke are working their way back from injury. Midfielder Ritchie Jones is out. Newly signed midfielder Thiago tweaked his hamstring and was held out of Tuesday’s scrimmage. Forward Daryl Fordyce was on the training table. Defender Kareem Moses is recovering from injury, but Miller used the words “limited minutes” in reference to his availability. Newly acquired midfielder Pablo Cruz has not yet been cleared to play, and his paperwork won’t come in until after July 8. So he’s not available this weekend. Winger Sainey Nyassi is working his way back from injury. And, of course, left winger Lance Laing will be off Sunday to join the Jamaican national side for the Gold Cup. But Laing said he’s hopeful that he can play for the Eddies in Fort McMurray, and then join the Jamaican squad after the NASL match. Miller said that he’s still got his eye on one player who is representing his country at the Gold Cup. He’s also talking to a defender; but that player, like Cruz, wouldn’t be eligible to play for the Eddies after July 8 — if he signs, that is. The Eddies are currently maxed out on international roster slots, with all seven allowed under NASL rules being filled. But, with the players he will have in tow, Miller said he hopes the trip north will be good for the club. “We will prepare exactly the same as we would for a game in Edmonton. We hope there will be a good crowd there, a lot of people who will be seeing the Eddies for the first time.” Of course, Miller has little sympathy for the San Antonio Scorpions, whose long road trip to Edmonton has been extended another 435 km north. “They get to feel what it’s like to be us on every one of our road trips,” said Miller. But, according to the online ticket retailer, it looks as if less than 1,100 tickets have been sold for Sunday’s game in Fort McMurray. Eighteen of the 20 sections have more than 20 tickets remaining; six of those 20 sections — according to the interactive seat map — have no seats taken. TO READ STEVEN SANDOR’S COVERAGE OF THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP, GO TO SPORTSNET.CA Sinclair rescues Canada at Women’s World Cup Canadian women looking for World Cup redemption Canada prepared for all World Cup scenarios Canada held to stalemate by Kiwis at World Cup USA blanks Colombia, off to World Cup quarters Sweltering heat mars Japan’s win over Australia
