“I am already excited,” said FCE forward Kyle Porter, who left the Whitecaps before the start of last season. “It’s going to be the biggest game of my career. I think there will be a great turnout in Vancouver, hopefully 5,000 to 7,000 people here. I think we are going to have a great rivalry.”

And, The 11 can announce that it is working with FC Edmonton to stage a supporters’ match — with proceeds going to charity — on May 2. We invite Vancouver and Edmonton supporters who wish to take part to contact The 11 through the website or to let us know via our Facebook page.

In a game the Eddies needed to win to improve their chances of home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs, they surrendered a 1-0 lead and lost 2-1 to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the regular season finale at Foote Field.

FC Edmonton gave up a heartbreaking injury-time goal in 3-2 loss in Puerto Rico, while the Montreal Impact cruised to a 2-0 victory in Minnesota.

As the Eddies prepared for Sunday’s home date with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Antonio Rago, who has been the team’s starting right back throughout the season, was lined up on the left side in practice. Meanwhile, Eddy Sidra, who got his first start of the season last week in the left back slot, was on his preferred right side.

FC Edmonton’s training session at Foote Field Wednesday was more, ahem, spirited than usual. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. To see some tough tackles and a few curse words uttered on the pitch is a sign that the team isn’t taking its current four-game losing streak all that well. In fact, it’s comforting to see that FC Edmonton isn’t getting comfortable with poor results.

Just as it did in losses to Carolina and FC Tampa Bay, FC Edmonton started poorly, surrendering two goals to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the first 29 minutes of the game. And, it led the way to a comprehensive 3-0 defeat.

Glaring errors from FC Edmonton were punished by FC Tampa Bay. But, the visitors were full value for a 2-1 win over the Eddies at Foote Field.

FC Edmonton’s Shaun Saiko has been named the NASL’s Offensive Player of the Week. Saiko set up a goal and scored on a perfectly-placed penalty in a 3-0 win over the Puerto Rico Islanders Wednesday at Foote Field.

This Friday night, FC Edmonton will try to do what no other NASL club has done so far this season. Stop Etienne Barbara. The Maltese striker has 12 goals in 10 games so far this season. He’s only been held off the scoresheet once so far this NASL campaign. And, in that game, he set up both Carolina goals.