FC Edmonton returns home, welcomes fans to the stands
Edmonton’s professional soccer team opened its gates to fans Saturday evening for the first time in nearly two years.
The pandemic forced FC Edmonton to play its 2020 season in a bubble in Prince Edward Island. This season started in a bubble in Winnipeg, but as restrictions have lifted and the country looks toward reopening, the team is now back at home and ready to hear the roar from fans.
“It gives us that extra energy,” head coach Alan Koch told CTV News Edmonton.
“You can feel that positive vibe. Now that we are standing here it is incredibly exciting.”
Eric Newendorp, president and general manager, said he was excited to be back at Clarke Stadium.
“We couldn’t be happier to be back here,” he shared.
“It’s going to be emotional to see fans and supporters here,” Koch added.
“Being in a bubble is an absolute grind. I had never been in a true bubble like that before.
“You are essentially cut off from the free world because you are stranded in a hotel the entire time.”
Frontline health care workers were honoured at the game for their contributions during the pandemic. Health care workers were eligible to receive two complimentary tickets to enjoy FC Edmonton action.
“It’s the least we can do,” Newendorp said.
FC Edmonton comes home with a 2-4-2 record and hopes having their own soccer pitch back will give them a fresh start.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.