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Posted by
Steve Bottjer,
March 19, 2013 |
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Twitter @BottjerRNO |
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Two of Canada’s professional clubs are a little less Canadian today, at least in terms of Canadian content on their rosters.
Toronto FC announced Tuesday the club has waived Canadian midfielder Matt Stinson and FC Edmonton has decided not to offer Calgary defender Paul Hamilton a contract for the 2013 season.
A graduate of the TFC Academy, Stinson, 21, signed with the First Team on March 17, 2011. In two seasons with the MLS club, Stinson made a combined 25 appearances and recorded two assists for the club. His release comes not long after earning his Canadian National Team cap on January 29th, 2013 against the United States.
Stinson has struggled with injuries over the last calendar year and did not make an appearance for Toronto in their three games this season under new Head Coach Ryan Nelsen. The combination of ongoing fitness issues and a new regime at TFC looks to have been the impetus for the promising player’s release.
After taking part in weeks of training camp, FC Edmonton and central defender Paul Hamilton have decided to part ways.
Hamilton, 24, had been a key player for Edmonton during their first two seasons of operation, but with a coaching change made over the NASL offseason, it appears he was not in the plans of new Head Coach Colin Miller.
“Paul Hamilton has been the perfect ambassador for our young club, but with the changes to our coaching staff, he wasn’t fitting in to our future plans,” said technical director Joe Petrone. “On behalf of the club, I want to wish Paul Hamilton all the best in his burgeoning soccer career.”
Hamilton joined the club for its exhibition season in 2010 and played a key role on the back-line for the 2011 NASL season.
In 2012, Hamilton played 22 NASL games, scoring one goal, earning the centre-back NASL Best XI honours. In the eyes of many Canadian soccer pundits, Hamilton was considered to be a young defender with the potential to be part of the Canadian National Team at some point in his playing career.
“I very much enjoyed my time playing for FC Edmonton and wish nothing but the best for this club. Unfortunately I was not in the plans of the organization moving forward and therefore I am moving on to the next chapter of my career,” Hamilton said. “I want to thank Tom Fath and the whole front office staff for everything they’ve done for me. I wish the club many years of success and hope that the City of Edmonton will continue to help this club grow.”
Hamilton is now a free agent.
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