This brings us to FC Edmonton keeper Tyson Farago. When it comes to a heavy kicking foot, the only NASL keeper I can remember hitting the ball for the same kind of distance as Farago does was Daniel Illyes, who played for the Atlanta Silverbacks in 2012 and ‘13.

The Cosmos midfielder smacked a left-footed shot from 20 yards out that swerved just inside the post, giving Eddies keeper Tyson Farago absolutely no chance. Ledesma’s first touch actually took him further away from the Eddies goal, but he spun and unleashed a left-footed cannon that will be tough to beat as the NASL’s goal of the week.

So, to kick off the fall season Sunday and welcome back all-time FCE leading scorer Daryl Fordyce into the fold, Eddies coach Colin Miller instructed his team to play in a 4-1-3-2 formation, bringing numbers to the front and hoping to coax more goals out of an offence that finished dead last in scoring in the spring season.

FC Edmonton’s roster was depleted; the team had just a keeper and 12 outfield players healthy enough to play. Thanks to omissions, injuries and Gold Cup call-ups, the New York Cosmos brought a squad to Edmonton that looked nothing like the kind of team we see in NASL week in, week out. Thanks to a 79th-minute goal from Eric Calvillo …

“A Portuguese player once said, the goals come like ketchup. Once you get one, all the rest come after it,” said Eustaquio. This is especially poignant considering that Eustaquio grew up in Leamington, Ont., which is the tomato and ketchup capital of Canada. Damn, do I love it when the player provides the poetry for me. Makes this “game story” thing so much easier.

FC Edmonton captain Nik Ledgerwood didn’t sugar-coat his critique of his team’s play after the Eddies were eliminated at the first stage of the Canadian Championship for the second year in a row by the Ottawa Fury.

If a soccer game happens during the height of the NHL playoffs, will anyone hear (or see it)?

Eddies keeper Tyson Farago came out of goal to block the cross that came in for the Fury’s Tucker Hume, but the ball fell to Williams, who slotted the ball into the goal, bringing the less than 3,000 in attendance at Ottawa’s TD Place to their feet.

And the team was in their new Inaria training kits. The team announced a deal with the Canadian sportswear manufacturer on Thursday. The team has worn Adidas jerseys since the 2012 season, but will move to Inaria apparel for the 2017 season. The team’s new kits will make their debuts in the weeks to come.

Miller said the team has already signed a replacement at left back, a player he said has been a captain of his European side.