But, where MLS has truly stumbled in Canada is in making itself a national concern. Basically, in this country, interest in the league is restricted to the three metro areas that have teams. The three Canadian MLS clubs have virtually no presence in the rest of Canada.

Congratulations go out this week to teenager Abraham Dukuly, who made his professional debut Sunday for FC Edmonton.

“The only thing we can control, me as a coach and them as the players, is the better we perform, the better chance we have to be in another club next year or with the San Francisco Deltas,” said Dos Santos. “If San Francisco continues, good. If it doesn’t, and we do well, hopefully we’ll all have jobs in 2018.”

Last week’s loss in San Francisco was just an extreme example of a trend in Eddies’ games. Even when the Eddies triumph, they grow into games, they don’t dominate right from the start.

The roster was revealed Friday, and features six players who have yet to get a Canadian cap;  Louis Beland-Goyette, Caniggia Elva, Milovan Kapor, Kris Twardek, Kwame Awuah and Jordan Schweitzer.

Kessler stated over and over that there is no plan B — NASL “has no other option or plan to continue” if the injunction to keep its Div-2 status isn’t granted by the court.

What bio-banding aims to do is to put kids together by ability and size, not age. The thinking is that the system will offer more shots to kids born late in the year, or the late bloomers who take a year or two more to elevate their games.

Orlando City’s Cyle Larin, Jacksonville’s Drew Beckie and Ottawa Fury keeper Callum Irving continue to lead their respective leagues when it comes to minutes played by Canadians.

The pit that the Eddies dug for themselves was simply too deep from which to escape, and Dustin Corea’s headed effort could only serve as a consolation in a 2-1 loss.

The North American Soccer League is suing the United States Soccer Federation.