A last-gasp header from substitute Paul Craig has guaranteed FC Edmonton a trip to the NASL playoffs. Craig scored at the death, heading home a corner from Shaun Saiko to give the Eddies a 2-1 win over the last-place Atlanta Silverbacks, who were reduced to 10 men at the half-hour mark.

A rousing second-half comeback and an astonishing miss from NSC Minnesota forward Amani Walker has propelled FC Edmonton within touching distance of the NASL playoffs.

Jonathan Fana capitalized on a defensive error from FCE centre back John Jonke, allowing the Islanders to come out of the match with a 1-1 draw.

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.

“We should not lose,” said Porter. “No way. We have to go full throttle. We can’t take Atlanta for granted just because they are in last place.”

As Canada prepares to begin its World Cup qualifying campaign — which kicks off Sept. 2 against Puerto Rico — coach Stephen Hart has a lot on his plate. With that in mind, The 11, with some input from our readers, has created a list of players — not including Junior Hoilett, he’s been talked about ad nauseam already— who didn’t take part in the Gold Cup and could inject some life into the Canadian squad.

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.

In an entertaining, end-to-end match which saw both teams create their fair shares of scoring chances, FC Tampa Bay got a second-half goal from Shane Hill and an insurance marker from Pascal Millien to give the home side a 3 -1win over FC Edmonton.

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.

NSC Minnesota keeper Joe Warren was victimized on FC Edmonton’s fluke opening goal, but was the hero down the stretch as the Stars came back to tie the Eddies 1-1 Monday in Blaine, Minn. Warren was named the man of the match even though the goal he allowed wasn’t close to being FCE’s best scoring chance of the evening. But he made two key saves — one off Kyle Porter and another off sub Alex Semenets — in the final minutes to preserve the draw after Devin Del Do scored with less than 10 minutes to tie the game.