With the Cosmos already assured of a post-season spot because it won the spring-season title, the club prioritized resting players over putting out the best XI available. And that decision will be magnified because it influenced a game that was vital not only to the Eddies, but the other teams involved in the dogfight for fourth.

The Eddies host the spring-season champion and overall NASL leaders New York Cosmos Sunday. The team said that there are only about 200 or so tickets left for that match. Then, the Eddies go on the road to face the fall-season leaders Ottawa Fury and then the Cosmos, again. With the Eddies just two points out of the NASL’s final post-season spot, this three-game swing could very well be the defining stretch of their season.

After FCE keeper John Smits was called for bringing down New York’s Jemal Johnson, Senna stepped to the penalty spot early in the second half and, after a stutter-step, blasted a penalty kick sky high into the Long Island night.

Watson, who was one of two Eddies on the MVP ballot (the now-departed Chris Nurse was the other) got enough votes from the league’s eight head coaches, who select the season-ending all-star team.

“Before the game, I talked to (commissioner) Bill Peterson and I told him no way there’s going to be a trophy presentation tonight,” said Miller. “I told him ‘have you booked a flight for next week?’”

“No, there’s no way we want to see the trophy (presented),” said Miller after FCE’s training session Friday on the grass at Concordia College. “We’ve had a very good week, we’ve had to make one or two changes in personnel. And, anyone who is not motivated to go to New York and play the Cosmos, well that would be hard to believe.”

Well, if there is any consolation for FC Edmonton out of its controversial 1-1 draw at home Sunday with New York, it was the fact that Cosmos midfielder Marcos Senna was named the NASL Player of the Week.

A 79th minute free-kick goal from the league’s most profile player, Spanish international Marcos Senna, allowed the Cosmos to salvage a 1-1 draw with FC Edmonton. The goal came after referee Sheena Dickson judged that FCE defender Albert Watson had handled the ball just outside the area. Replays indicated that the ball hit Watson in the FC Edmonton crest on his jersey.

Give FC Edmonton credit. When a team like the New York Cosmos comes to town, a lot of players would revert to cliches like "it's just another game." The Eddies didn't do that. They know the occasion will be special.