With a 4-0 win Tuesday over a Puerto Rico Islanders squad that was badly depleted due to international call-ups, the Minnesota Stars clinched a playoff spot — and eliminated both FC Edmonton and the Atlanta Silverbacks from post-season competition.

Before FC Edmonton trained on Tuesday, midfielder Kenny Caceros called his buddy, Edson Edward, to wish him luck.

For the third time this season, Shaun Saiko has been named the NASL Offensive Player of the Week.

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.

A spectacular drive from the boot of Bryan Arguez gave the Eddies a point on the road in Blaine, Minn., cancelling out Cristiano Dias’s opener.

For the second week in a row, FC Edmonton enters a critical match without the service of leading scorer Shaun Saiko.

“We can’t worry about the schedules of the other teams or the standings,” said FCE keeper Lance Parker.

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.

“We had a little talk about it after the game,” said holding midfielder Chris Kooy. “Sixty per cent of the goals we have given up have been on set pieces. So it’s definitely something we have to look at.”

A cavalcade of defensive and goalkeeping mistakes allowed the NASL champion Minnesota Stars to come away from FC Edmonton’s Clarke Stadium opener with a 4-3 win.