FC Edmonton To Play Two NASL League Games At Fort McMurray

FC Edmonton is excited to announce an opportunity for Northern Alberta soccer fans to enjoy the Eddies in 2015. Two dates have been confirmed for FC Edmonton to travel north to play 2015 North American Soccer League (NASL) regular season games  in Fort McMurray in the summer of 2015.

The first match, FC Edmonton’s Wood Buffalo Cup, named in honour of the host community, will take place on Sunday, July 5 at 2:00 p.m. versus 2014 NASL Champions San Antonio Scorpions. The second match in Fort McMurray will take place on Sunday, August 2 at 2:00 p.m. versus Canadian rivals Ottawa Fury FC.

"We are delighted to welcome FC Edmonton to Shell Place and the Wood Buffalo region this year," said Russell Agnew, Interim Chief Operating Officer of the Regional Recreation Corporation of Wood Buffalo and operators of MacDonald Island Park and Shell Place. "This exciting partnership brings professional soccer to the residents of our communities and everyone on ONE Team is thrilled to be part of delivering the FC Edmonton experience to Wood Buffalo in 2015."

The Wood Buffalo Cup match will be the first professional soccer match in Fort McMurray’s history. Both of these upcoming matches will take place in and would not be possible without the brand-new SMS Equipment Stadium at Shell Place on McDonald Island Park.

Although this will be the northern-most professional soccer match to be held in North America, the average temperature in Fort McMurray in July is still 23 degrees Celsius.

"We have been delighted by the interest to date from the Wood Buffalo Region," said FC Edmonton’s general manager Rod Proudfoot. "The Shell Place facilities are terrific, the corporate support in Fort McMurray has been promising and the marketplace seems very receptive to professional soccer. In fact, we are anticipating a sellout for both matches at SMS Equipment Stadium this summer."

The winner between FC Edmonton and San Antonio will be able to lift the Wood Buffalo Cup trophy for the first time in history. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo will have their say in what the trophy will look like by being able to submit designs for the final product. This will be the first chance for a NASL team to collect silverware in the 2015 Fall Season.

"I think it’s an excellent way for FC Edmonton to help our brand develop in the province of Alberta," said FC Edmonton’s head coach Colin Miller. "It’s a great opportunity for our players to show off their talents in a beautiful new facility. Fans will see a fantastic game against the current league champions in July and we always look forward to playing against our Canadian rivals in August. We are really excited to travel up north for both of these occasions."

Edmontonians will still be able to see their Eddies as the game will be broadcast on City Edmonton (check your local listings closer to the date).

The Eddies will also be up in the community hosting soccer clinics, visiting local schools and will also be presenting the Family Soccer Fest in June. More information about FC Edmonton’s community involvement and the week’s schedule of camps at clinics in Fort McMurray and surrounding is at  fcedmonton.com.

"One of FC Edmonton’s most important goals is giving back to the community through supporting youth soccer programs," said Proudfoot. "The club’s owners Tom and Dave Fath have made local clinics and community involvement a key priority for FC Edmonton. The presence of our coaches and players in the Wood Buffalo Region is a reflection of this priority."