This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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Eddies’ Top Scorer Earns League-wide Recognition
After a month where FC Edmonton’s midfielder/striker Shaun Saiko scored 3 goals and assisted on another, the home-grown talent has been named the NASL’s Player of the Month.
Saiko, a member of the NASL Best XI in 2011 – has started off the 2012 season on the right track. In eight games so far this season, Saiko has netted an impressive five goals and two assists – which is not only the highest goal tally on the team, but third highest in the league. With the Eddies finding the back of the net 10 times so far this season, Saiko can personally claim 50 per cent of those goals.
“I did a lot of work trying to get ready for the 2012 season so I could build off of what I did in 2011,” Saiko said. “Obviously I’ve started off well so I’m excited about the individual honours but hopefully we can turn it around a little bit on the team front.”
Saiko first earned the honour of NASL Offensive Player of the Week in Week Four after his impressive hat-trick against the Carolina RailHawks, which saw the Eddies to a 3-0 victory. By fan vote, he also won the NASL Play of the Week for his hat-trick. He won the title of Offensive Player of the Week for a second time in Week Eight after his one goal and one assist game
against the San Antonio Scorpions in a 2-2 draw.
Saiko’s impressive play has been recognized on an international level as he represented Canada earlier this year in the U-23 Olympic Qualifying tournament. Wearing the captain’s arm band, he helped lead the Canadian team to an impressive tournament falling just short of qualifying for London 2012.
He has not only started in all eight NASL games this season for FC Edmonton, but he’s also played in both Amway Canadian Championship games against the Vancouver Whitecaps giving him the team’s top spot for minutes played so far this season.
“Shaun is one of the original members of our team going back to our exhibition season in 2010,” said technical director Joe Petrone. “He’s the perfect example of the talent that can be found in Canada. This honour is well-deserved.”
Saiko and his teammates take on the Atlanta Silverbacks on Sunday at Clarke Stadium. Kick-off is 2 p.m.
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