“It is fun,” Trafford said of Miami FC’s season so far. “Consider where we came from last year; last year, we had a good team, but we didn’t have the success we wanted. Now, this year, with our experience, they’ve added one or two pieces and everything has clicked.”

Three Canadian players — Dwayne De Rosario, Dejan Jakovic and Kyle Porter — may look down at their feet and discover that their soccer cleats have been replaced by glass slippers.

Meanwhile, Calgary’s Paul Hamilton didn’t get off the bench as his NASL side, the Carolina RailHawks, were eliminated in a 3-0 loss on the road to Real Salt Lake. Hamilton was one of eight RailHawks regular who didn’t start the game – as coach Colin Clarke decided to rest his core group of players ahead of Saturday’s possible NASL spring-season clincher against Atlanta.

For Canadians Dwayne De Rosario and Paul Hamilton, Wednesday’s fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup saw them make important contributions as their clubs survived.

“I had a few great years there, still have many friends on the team and within the organization. My wife, and also many friends and family are going to be at the game. So yes, there is a greater excitement around this game for me."

Canadian defenders Paul Hamilton and Andres Arango can both claim MLS scalps after they both played roles in major U.S. Open Cup third-round upsets.

And, while the Eddies have been on a bye, pretty well each and every result they wanted to go their way has, well, gone their way.

FC Edmonton will be cheering for its six fellow NASL teams as they enter the U.S. Open Cup competition next week.

Strikers Michael Cox and Kyle Porter aren’t ready for a return to the FC Edmonton lineup ahead of Sunday’s home date with the San Antonio Scorpions, but there were sighs of relief around the Eddies’ camp today as it looks like central defender Paul Hamilton and forward Matt Lam will be ready to go.

The decision, made by the USSF in Miami this morning, ensures stability for FC Edmonton, Puerto Rico Islanders and the six U.S. mainland teams in the circuit, as well as the coming expansion franchise from Ottawa.