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NASL FC Edmonton

FCE Academy Finish Top of United Cycle Premier Division

August 18, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


EDMONTON, AB (August 18) - The FC Edmonton Academy wrapped up its first 18-match schedule with the Edmonton Premier Division on Thursday, August 14 with a 2-0 win over second place AC Milan 1 Men. The win ensured a first place finish for the FCE Academy, under the name St Albert Impact 1 Men in the league, with 43 points for the season. A first place finish means a trip to Provincial which are set to take place at the end of August (schedule still to be determined).

"This season is exactly what we needed for the FC Edmonton Academy," said FCE Academy & RPC supervisor Jeff Paulus. "The level of competition in Men's Premier is the exact level we want our Academy to be at."

FC Edmonton's Academy consists of approximately 20 players ages 14-18. They train three to four times a week in addition to one or two matches per week. With 13 wins and only one loss this season for a total record of 13-4-1, 44 goals for and 13 against and three players in the top 10 goal scorers this season, the junior Eddies have taken to this division like ducks take to water.

"Coming into this, everyone wants to win," said Paulus. "But more so for us we want to come to these games and play good football and play the way that we want to play. We've seen growth in all of these players and that was the main purpose of us going into this league."

The importance of developing players circles back to the ability and opportunity for them to play for the first-team. Former FCE Academy graduates that have signed FC Edmonton professional contracts include Hanson Boakai, Sadi Jalali, Edem Mortotsi, Mallan Roberts and most recently Marko Aleksic.

Even though the season is done, there will be no rest for the FCE Academy youngsters. The squad will take part in a University of Alberta Showcase the weekend of August 23 as well as being a major part of the squad playing against the University of Alberta in a fundraiser match on Tuesday, August 26. The following weekend will be Provincials and finally some much deserved time off before the start of a new training schedule in September.

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North American Soccer League Stories from August 18, 2014


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