This may be the week where the NASL narrative changes. We’re edging towards the halfway point of the fall season, and we might now be talking about FCE, Indy and the Cosmos all being playoff teams, and everyone else fighting for that fourth and final spot — unless one of those other clubs can make a mark on the fall-season race.

And how did their head-to-head battle look? Well, Ramirez missed a sitter. And Laing, sporting a new dyed-orange hairdo, converted a shot from distance with his less-than-preferred right foot. Laing’s effort turned out to be the winning goal in a 2-1 FCE triumph.

For FC Edmonton, a spring season of frustration, a season of missed chances, a season of games that should have been wins turning into draws, was punctuated by a game where everything went right.

And it was hard to tell if both the Impact and Crew were going through the paces, saving energy for their openers, or if this game was a sign of two teams screaming for more preseason time.

Both Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact took part in full scrimmages Wednesday as they took advantage of a break in the schedule at the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic in Orlando, Fla.

As part of the Minnesota Stars, he established himself as one of the best left backs in the league over the past two seasons. He was a key part of a Stars team that won it all in 2011 and got to the final in 2012.

A last-gasp injury-time goal from Shaun Saiko — set up by an excellent run from midfielder Bryan Arguez – allowed the Eddies to escape, Blaine Minn. with a 1-1 draw with the Minnesota Stars.

The Stars’ Cinderella run through the NASL playoffs looks like it might never strike midnight. The Stars will head to Florida with a 3-1 lead after the first leg in Blaine, Minn.

Only four of the dozen men who took to the pitch dressed in Impact blue for the team’s 2-0 triumph Saturday against the visiting NSC Minnesota Stars were participants in Montreal’s season opener in April.