But the game quickly turned against the Eddies. In the 16th minute, without contact, central defender Carlyle Mitchell crumpled to the ground without contact. He was in agony and rolled off the pitch. He was subbed out for Adrian LeRoy. Mitchell, on loan from the Whitecaps, will have x-rays done performed on the ankle Monday.

But it should feel like a Cup match. Not only will it be the first time the Eddies take the field at a new and improved Clarke Stadium, with capacity for 4,000 fans, but NASL is already entering a phase of the spring season schedule where every game is a must-win.

Usually, the final game of a team's preseason schedule tells you a lot about where a coach's head is at. The final preseason tuneup isn't so much a match of trial and error as it is a dress rehearsal for the season to come.

“We are still discussing things,” said Miller. “Paul and I have a good relationship, and we are trying to resolve the situation.”

Goalkeeper John Smits and Scottish defender David Proctor had just returned to the city and were working out. Fullback Wes Knight has been in Edmonton since January; same goes for holding midfielder Neil Hlavaty. Local products Antonio Rago and Shaun Saiko have been regular fixtures at the indoor training sessions since December.

But, does a team that loses both of its home matches to Atlanta deserve a playoff spot? The answer is clear — no. On a cool, blustery prairie afternoon, Atlanta did more in the half it had the 50 km/h wind at its back than Edmonton. Matt Horth scored two second-half goals as the Silverbacks all but ended FCE’s playoff hopes.

“You get to a point in the game where we score, we have taken the lead, we are dominating possession,” said Porter. “And then it was like we just dropped. And the game just changed. And then they get the goals, and the winner came so late, there was no chance for us to come back.”

In front of a full house at Clarke Stadium, Yashir Pinto scored the goal that allowed FC Edmonton to draw level with the San Antonio Scorpions. Nearly three hours later, in front of just a handful of fans, he missed the sitter that would have given the Eddies the win.

“No, I am not happy,” said Saiko. “It looks like I am not playing. But, if that’s what the coach wants to do, if he feels that what it takes for this team to win is keeping me on the bench, I’ll do whatever it takes to help the team.”

Cox got a low shot on goal, that Stars keeper Matt Van Oekel got down to stop. But the rebound caromed off the shin of defender Ernest Tchoupe, and bounded across the goal line.