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FC Edmonton Headed to Scotland for 2016 Preseason

December 11, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


FC Edmonton Huddle
FC Edmonton Huddle
(FC Edmonton)

EDMONTON, AB - FC Edmonton is heading to Scotland. The North American Soccer League (NASL) team has announced plans for an immersive, 14-day, four-match preseason trip, Mar. 10-23, 2016.

The Eddies will face Scottish clubs Partick Thistle, Airdrie, Queens Park FC as well as England's Newcastle United U-21 squad.

"FC Edmonton's preseason trip is yet another example of the NASL taking a global approach toward growing the league and improving the level of play on the field," NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson said. "Not only will the trip give the club some great exposure, it will perhaps most importantly help them get better as a team and prepare them for what will be a very competitive 2016 season."

The Eddies will stay in Stirling, with daily training sessions taking place at Little Kerse Field-a sport multiplex that includes a FIFA 2 Full Size Astro Pitch, four FIFA five-a-side Astro pitches and several other grass pitches. Eddies players and staff will also have access to an on-site Sports Café, full video and television facilities to review match footage, as well gym and physiotherapy services for strength training and conditioning.

"Our initial thoughts with taking the team to Scotland with Tom and Dave Fath's approval was that first of all we would get good quality games of football," FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller stated. "Our players are going to be immersed in a football environment for 14 days, that will be the priority. The aggressive football environment of Scotland, I'm hoping will rub off on our players so that when they start the NASL season that they will be in a very good frame of mind."

Entering their sixth season overall, FC Edmonton will also have an opportunity to spread the club's brand abroad and develop potential relationships at the international level.

"We're a well-established, strong thought of NASL club and we now have an opportunity to put the FC Edmonton brand a wee bit more out there," Miller added. "With my connections in Scotland, we will be speaking to other clubs that have an interest in maybe working together in the future, who knows? These are the possibilities that can happen...It's a real opportunity for us to put the club in the shop window."

The Eddies will be the fifth team in the NASL's Modern Era to head abroad for competition, joining Minnesota United FC (Brazil, England), Fort Lauderdale Strikers (Brazil), Tampa Bay Rowdies (Portugal) and New York Cosmos (Hong Kong, El Salvador, Spain, Cuba, Dubai) on the league's shortlist of clubs who have gone global with their brand.

"Scotland has great teams and a great soccer culture, so our team will have an excellent training experience," FC Edmonton co-owner Tom Fath explained. "And this year, because of the Canadian dollar exchange rates, it's more cost-effective for the team to train in Scotland than in Florida."

Additional details regarding the Eddies upcoming Scotland trip will be announced shortly. FC Edmonton returns to NASL action in early 2016. For tickets to the upcoming season, please call 780.700.2600, visit www.fcedmonton.com.

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FC Edmonton Huddle
FC Edmonton Huddle
   



North American Soccer League Stories from December 11, 2015


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