“I knew it was always going to take a miracle for us to make the playoffs,” said FCE coach Colin Miller after the match. “I would rather focus on the team’s performance tonight. I am very pleased with the effort, and hopefully we can carry that momentum into Wednesday’s game.”

The Cosmos midfielder smacked a left-footed shot from 20 yards out that swerved just inside the post, giving Eddies keeper Tyson Farago absolutely no chance. Ledesma’s first touch actually took him further away from the Eddies goal, but he spun and unleashed a left-footed cannon that will be tough to beat as the NASL’s goal of the week.

But, put the game in Regina, in the brand-new Mosaic Stadium, and the context changes. As part of Saturday’s officially named Soccer Day in Saskatchewan, with plans now in full motion to put a Canadian Premier League team in the province, the game between the New York Cosmos and Valencia took on a very different meaning.