Will the impact of DeMerit injury be felt as far away as Edmonton?

Carlyle Mitchell

Could the report from that Whitecaps defender Jay DeMerit has a torn Achilles tendon, an injury that could keep him out for a minimum of six months, have a knock-on effect?

FC Edmonton will not confirm — and won’t even comment on this — but there have been reports out of Vancouver that the Eddies were close to securing Whitecaps’ defender Carlyle Mitchell on loan, adding to what has become a crowded back line. FC Edmonton has Albert Watson, the young Mallan Roberts, and Lance Laing, who can play in the middle or at left back, in the fold. Add Wes Knight, Antonio Rago and Edson Edward as fullback options, and you have a deep line.

And, there’s also the issue of Paul Hamilton, who is in camp but is not signed to a contract. A member of the NASL Best XI last year, Hamilton came into camp in a battle for playing time — as new coach Colin Miller is remaking the team. Adding Mitchell to the mix would add to the logjam.

But, with DeMerit hurt, the Whitecaps may need to reconsider their options, at least until another player is brought in to bolster the back line. The ‘Caps captain hopped out of Saturday’s MLS season opener after just six minutes. The Vancouver Province’s Marc Weber reported Monday that the American centre back has a torn left Achilles tendon, an injury that could keep him out for more than half a year.

That means, for the moment, the Whitecaps are looking at starting Andy O’Brien and Brad Rusin in the middle of the defence, and might need Mitchell around — even if it is just until the team can find a new addition to add to the defensive corps.

This much is for sure. Mitchell needs playing time. At 25 years of age, he needs more than a reserve program in order to stay sharp. Being in a place where he moves up the subs’ bench by one doesn’t really help the Trinidad and Tobago native or the Caps. So, even with the DeMerit injury, the long view could still be that a Mitchell loan is still in the interest of all parties.

But, as of Monday, Mitchell was not with FCE. Hamilton has not put his signature on a contract. The only thing the Eddies announced today was that Massimo Mirabelli, the midfielder who impressed so much during the November combine and at camp, has officially signed.

The signing of Mirabelli brings the Eddies roster to 22. Mirabelli would have been announced Saturday, but FCE had to wait for some release forms from Mirabelli’s previous club, Finland’s Ekenas IF.