Calgary Foothills FC wrapped up their Premier Development League pre-season with a 5-1 victory over an FC Edmonton academy squad at the Calgary Soccer Centre Saturday afternoon.
Saturday’s match was the second leg of the supporter-driven series between the two Alberta clubs, collectively dubbed the ‘Al Classico’. Calgary won the first leg 4-0 in Edmonton last weekend.
Striker Moses Danto scored Calgary Foothills FC’s first two goals early in the first half. Tofa Fakunle, Ali Musse and Willy Akio also found the net for the home side. While Prince Amanda rewarded the traveling FC Edmonton supporters their boisterous loyalty with a goal for the visitors early in the second half.
But, the ‘Al Classico’ promises to have a much different look and feel next year.
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News broke Saturday that Calgary had a Canadian Premier League (CPL) soccer club accepted for professional club membership with Canada Soccer during Canada Soccer’s annual meeting in Yellowknife. Calgary Foothills FC head coach and technical director Tommy Wheeldon Jr. was at the annual meeting.
Groups from Halifax, York Region and ‘Port City’, BC were also welcomed into Canada Soccer. Last year the soon-to-launch CPL announced Hamilton and Winnipeg as their founding members. It is anticipated that official details of the new CPL teams will arrive in the coming weeks.
On Sunday, plans to build a 5,000 to 7,000-seat stadium for the Calgary club were announced by Spruce Meadows Sports and Entertainment.
- Over 3,000 spectators watch first edition of ‘Al Classico’ between Calgary Foothills FC and FC Edmonton squad
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FC Edmonton GM Jay Ball ponders club’s future, Alberta rivalry and Canadian Premier League
FC Edmonton is considering joining the CPL too. The CPL is set to launch April 2019.
But Foothills FC will now turn their focus towards the 2018 PDL season and their season opener against Victoria Highlanders Friday, May 11 at their new home in Okotoks, south of Calgary.
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