The Final Whistle?

181 days, 28 matches, 2520 minutes played. As another Canadian Premier League regular season has drawn to a close, FC Edmonton finds itself not only looking up from the bottom of the table, but anxiously looking for direction when it comes to their future.

In a season where positives were hard to come by, FC Edmonton closed out the campaign with a stunning 3-1 home victory over Valour FC. Early momentum for the visitors was rewarded as the breakthrough came in the 18th minute. Having had the lion’s share of possession, Valour FC scored following a corner kick as FC Edmonton failed to clear the ball, allowing William Ponce to open the scoring. However, their lead was short-lived as 13 minutes later FC Edmonton was awarded a penalty and Tobias Warschewski stepped up and scored. FC Edmonton continued to push forward creating chances and five minutes later got a deserved lead. Having been awarded a free kick just outside the box, Wesley Timoteo hit a sublime free kick. The ball, always curling away from the keeper, nestled perfectly into the top corner making it an instant candidate for FC Edmonton goal of the season. Following half time both teams fiercely contested the match, FC Edmonton's solid defensive display frustrated their opponents as Valour FC pushed for an equalizer. A goal line clearance, 8 yellow cards and 1 red ensured that the match never lacked drama before Gabriel Bitar stepped up and sealed victory for FC Edmonton with the second free kick goal of the game. After a tough season, ending with three points was a welcome send off, however the future of the Edmonton-based football club remains unclear.

It was December 2021 when the Fath group announced it was relinquishing ownership of FC Edmonton. This saw the CPL itself step in, declaring it would be running the club for the upcoming season or at least until a new owner could be found. With no transfer budget, the squad was mostly made up of loanees from across the CPL, essentially meaning FC Edmonton would be spending the 2022 season developing the youth of their direct competitors. This was to remain in place until a new owner was found but the search continues, with little progress being made. Several candidates have been rumored, but discussions have not resulted in anything material and as things stand FC Edmonton faces the sad reality of folding. This is most concerning especially when considering the continued growth of the CPL as a whole. Other existing teams continue to grow their local and international networks, while several new franchises are in the works. Langley is set to compete in the CPL’s 2023 season, in addition, Saskatoon and Windsor are actively working towards league membership. This coupled with the untapped market in Quebec plus additional room for growth and expansion in Ontario and British Columbia, puts into perspective the dire situation FC Edmonton finds itself in.

Sad though it may be, this is a story we have seen before. In 2017, after competing in the North American Soccer League for 6 seasons, the Fath Group and FC Edmonton stepped away from the league as issues of sustainability were too big to ignore. The creation of the Canadian Premier League provided new opportunities for professional soccer in Edmonton and the team was once again revived. However, the promise of a second chance was short lived. In 2020, FC Edmonton closed down their academy with the pandemic compounding already existing costs and financial issues. Though the team still managed to connect with local talent, the issues that arose due to a lack of an academy were hard to ignore, especially in a league still in its infancy. Yes, there is a yearly CPL- U Sport draft but it consists of two rounds meaning only 16 new players are drafted into the league this way. This year, 11 of the 20 players on the roster are on loan, unlikely to return, even if there was someone to step in and buy the team. When also considering budgets for transfers across the CPL are limited at the best of times, the need to create a pipeline of local talent cannot be understated. FC Edmonton was searching for stability within the CPL but once again finds itself fighting to survive.

The truth is, when looking at sport in Edmonton, these issues extend beyond just soccer. Despite extended periods of success with different franchises that have called Edmonton home, many have either moved on or faced the threat of doing so. The Oilers, the now Edmonton Elks, the Trappers, and the Edmonton Drillers of the NASL all experienced championship seasons however, geography and financial capabilities have long threatened the permanence of professional sports teams in the city. The 1980-81 season saw the Edmonton Drillers win the NASL indoor championship, only to see the club collapse and end following the 1982 outdoor season due to unsustainable costs . The beloved Edmonton Trappers saw top quality minor league baseball grace the city for 23 years, winning 6 division and 4 league titles. Yet, after winning the league in 2002 followed by another division title in 2003, the team was sold and forced to move following the 2004 season. Even the Edmonton Oilers, the crown jewel of Edmonton franchises, faced a period of potential upheaval when in 1998 then owner Peter Pocklington nearly sold the team in a deal that would see them move to Houston. It took a last ditch effort by a local investor group to save the team, ensuring the Oilers stayed in Edmonton.

Why in a city where we have such passionate fanbases do we see a constant exodus of professional sports franchises? Having lived in Edmonton my entire life, there is a palpable pride amongst its residents when it comes to sport, an inescapable connection to the blue collar mentality that still persists. Sports unite us, they give us a common cause and bring our diverse community together but this sentiment alone is not enough. With the exception of the Oilers, financial sustainability for Edmonton-based teams remains elusive. The Canadian Premier League is still finding its feet when it comes to profitability and major investment is needed to create the necessary infrastructure to secure longevity in franchise cities. Edmonton is no exception but perhaps in a post pandemic world the ask is simply too much. The Fath Group have twice tried valiantly, but with nobody else ready to step up FC Edmonton finds itself the first casualty in the CPL and the newest member of the long list of former teams in the city. Is this the end of professional soccer in Edmonton? If history has taught us anything, it seems unlikely. For now, the final goals of FC Edmonton’s season will need to remain on replay in our minds and in our hearts.