First-year NASL team FC Edmonton has joined the Canadian soccer party, linking up Toronto FC, the Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship that qualifies the winner for the Concacaf Champions League.

Edmonton opens against TFC Wednesday at Commonwealth Stadium. "It will be our first game, in Edmonton, in a big stadium, so it is a big challenge," said Edmonton coach Harry Sinkgraven.

FC Edmonton is off to a 2-1-0 start in the NASL. "A first impression is something you only get once," Sinkgraven said. "This is an opportunity not only to show the people of Edmonton but also ourselves what it is we can do. The guys have trained for a year, they've played exhibition games, now they can see the results."

Goalie Rein Baart says the fast start has given Edmonton lots of confidence. "This is like dessert for us to play an MLS team,"he said. "It will be good experience for us. I do hope we do well."