Usually, the final game of a team's preseason schedule tells you a lot about where a coach's head is at. The final preseason tuneup isn't so much a match of trial and error as it is a dress rehearsal for the season to come.

It might seem like a strange decision. Chris Nurse, in search of another second-division title, came to a franchise that finished in last place in the league last season.

Hometown products Shaun Saiko, who led the team in scoring last season, and fullback Antonio Rago were officially placed on the list, but Alberta-born centre back and NASL Best XI member Paul Hamilton was not part of the 16.

Goalkeeper John Smits and Scottish defender David Proctor had just returned to the city and were working out. Fullback Wes Knight has been in Edmonton since January; same goes for holding midfielder Neil Hlavaty. Local products Antonio Rago and Shaun Saiko have been regular fixtures at the indoor training sessions since December.

“This famous stadium brings back a lot of memories,” said Miller, thinking back to the many World Cup qualifiers he played for Canada on the old grass at Commonwealth, as well as that famous 1-1 draw with Brazil back in 1994. “Edmonton was our home at the time,” said Miller. “We were very passionate about playing here.”

"It is hard to figure out why this team didn't get better results with the talent they have."

“He is one of my favourite players in the league,” said Laing. “He’s a very good defender. He’s a very good tackler and he’s good off the ball.”

The Eddies’ back line received a major upgrade when the team announced Wednesday that it had signed Neil Hlavaty and Lance Laing to deals.

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.

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.