The RailHawks remain atop the table with the result. But, as of Saturday night, four of the league’s seven teams — Carolina, Atlanta, San Antonio and Minnesota — remain alive in the standings.

“We’d like to bring in one or two new faces, possibly players on loan,” said Miller. “We are already have the best defensive record in the league, despite having so many different players back there. The players have been excellent. If we could get the best goal-scoring record, we’d be set.”

Meanwhile, Calgary’s Paul Hamilton didn’t get off the bench as his NASL side, the Carolina RailHawks, were eliminated in a 3-0 loss on the road to Real Salt Lake. Hamilton was one of eight RailHawks regular who didn’t start the game – as coach Colin Clarke decided to rest his core group of players ahead of Saturday’s possible NASL spring-season clincher against Atlanta.

And, four of the seven teams are still alive. Love or hate the new format, the result has been June games filled with playoff or Cup-tie atmospheres.

“I’m devastated,” said FCE coach Colin Miller. “I couldn’t have asked any more from the guys. When we drove here, it was 100 degrees (F)... How do we prepare for this? We train like buggers all week long."

“The guys here have been on trial since February the 18th,” Miller said. “I’ve already made my mind up about a couple of guys who moving in and moving out.”

“We are in a situation where the player hasn’t committed either way, to play for Canada or to play for Scotland. If Fraser opts to play for Scotland, that’s fine, we wish him the best of luck. But, looking at the best interests of our national team, we have made a formal approach to Rangers and the player.”

The FC Edmonton coach was granted permission by the Eddies to steer the Canadian national team through the July tourney. The fact that the NASL schedule goes on hiatus in July allowed Miller the time needed to prepare and coach the squad.

With FC Edmonton eliminated from contention for the NASL spring season title, don't expect to see midfielder Robert Garrett in the lineup for a while.

“It was a lot harder to come back than I thought,” admitted Hamilton, who had 30 orange-clad family and friends at Clarke Stadium cheering him on. “There was a lot of emotion at the start of the game. I didn’t think I played very well.”