Minnesota’s late capitulation at Tampa Bay could have been a significant setback for the struggling Loons. Likewise, United will see the scoreless draw at Puerto Rico as an opportunity lost, but the entire field in pursuit of the NASL’s final playoff berth seems to be stumbling towards the finish line.

Six teams — positioned fourth through ninth in the combined table — are separated by a maximum of three points in the standings. By dint of goal differential, Minnesota is still clinging to fourth place with its 38 points. Tampa Bay (38 points) and Miami (37 points) will each hold a game in hand over Minnesota after the weekend.

Saturday marks what is almost surely the second-to-last Loons game at the National Sports Center. Fans making their way out to Blaine to will the Loons to victory have been waiting for their local to snap out of its current funk, and watching as Minnesota’s grip on fourth place has slipped away — their hopes stuck in limbo between the Loons’ prolonged run of poor form and the still-remaining possibility of a postseason run to cap the team’s time in the NASL.

Recent Form

FCE	L	D	W	W	L	Even GD	1.4 PPG
MNUFC	L	L	L	D	D	-4 GD	0.4 PPG

Minnesota, still in that prolonged slump, has won only one of its last ten games. Edmonton went through its own seven-game winless streak in the Fall Season, but has since won two of its last three. Having clinched a playoff berth, it bears noting the Eddies’ midweek loss to Rayo OKC occurred with multiple first-choice players absent from their starting XI.

Previous Meetings

Edmonton won the last meeting 1-0 over visiting Minnesota on August 14. The Loons completed 20 more passes than their opponents, and out-shot the Eddies 11 to eight while holding a shade over 51-percent possession, but were unable find the back of the net. Tomi Ameobi’s second-half goal handed Edmonton its then ninth-straight home victory.

Minnesota owns a 6-9-4 record in the all-time series, including a 3-6-0 record when facing Edmonton at home. With each team recording a win against the other this season, and Minnesota’s a 2-0 victory, the Loons need only a draw to retain the Flyover Cup.

Officials

Referee	Alejandro Mariscal
Assistant	Dan Stupca
Assistant	John Krill
Fourth	Ismir Pekmic

Mariscal has issued 22 yellow cards and two straight-red cards at the helm of nine games this season (MLS, NASL and USL combined). The 36-year-old served as the referee in Minnesota’s 1-0 loss to New York on September 11, as well as Minnesota’s 3-1 win over Miami on June 12.

Roster Report

Per Jeff Rueter’s training report, Loons forward Christian Ramirez has returned to practicing in full following his recent ankle injury, and is expected to play against Edmonton. Center back Damion Lowe has returned from international duty with Jamaica. Additionally, while midfielders Greg Jordan and Bernardo Añor continue to progress in their return from long-term injuries, neither is expected to be a part of the 18-man gameday roster on Saturday.

Edmonton: Last Time Out

On October 9 against Tampa Bay, FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller made use of his preferred 4-5-1. Matt VanOekel started in goal behind a back four of Papé Diakite and Albert Watson bookended by fullbacks Shawn Nicklaw and Adam Eckersley. Nikolas Ledgerwood sat in front of defense, with Daryl Fordyce in the center of midfield and 19 year-old Shamit Shome the most advanced member of the Eddies’ midfield triangle. Dustin Corea and Ben Fisk played on the wings, with Tomi Ameobi at center forward.

Having clinched a postseason berth, Miller opted to rest VanOekel, Eckersley, Watson, and Correa against Fort Lauderdale this past Wednesday. Shome and Ameobi did take part, but only as second-half substitutes.

Tyson Farago was given the start in goal, with Karsten Smith deputized to partner Diakite in the center of defense. Nicklaw was pushed forward to right winger, making room for Allan Zebie to slot in at fullback opposite Pedro Galvao. Fordyce and Ledgerwood each played a bit further forward than they did in Edmonton’s previous match, while Nicolás Di Biase was used as the Eddies’ holding midfielder. Fisk retained his place on the left wing, while Jake Keegan was called on to lead Edmonton’s attack.

Outshot while winning the battle of possession, the Eddies were undone by a Geison Moura goal and fell 1-0 to the hosting Strikers.

Matchup

Edmonton currently trails New York by five points in the Fall Season table, and six points in the combined standings, and both the Eddies and Cosmos have three games left to play in the regular season. Both have clinched their place in the postseason.

Given Miller’s choice to rest a number of regular starters midweek, it is clear the Scotsman is prioritizing fresh legs over an outside chance at hosting one of the semifinals. Whether or not Miler continues to rotate his team on Saturday remains to be seen. Diakite, Nicklaw, Fordyce, Ledgerwood and Fisk started in each of last Sunday and Wednesday’s games.

Minnesota head coach Carl Craig has nearly a fully fit roster, and likely needs a minimum of seven points from his team’s last three matches to have a shot at reaching the playoffs. An opponent focused on keeping its players fit, and not in need of a result could come as a blessing for the Loons, who have been playing unconvincing soccer since the calendar turned to September. Alternatively, the arrival of the league’s second-place team could just as easily deal a near-fatal blow to Minnesota’s championship hopes. Many teams have found success against the Loons defending deep and striking on the counter, and few in the league do so as well as the Eddies.

Minor injuries, international call ups and disappointing results have led to Craig continually tinkering with the Loons starting XI. With three games remaining in the regular season, the Loons still haven’t settled on a first-choice lineup.

The Eddies are an organized, defense-first team built to frustrate a high press and limit their opposition’s opportunities to counter attack — i.e. Minnesota’s preferred style of play. And, Minnesota has not shown it has an effective Plan B.

Eight thousand-plus faithful fans in Blaine will be hoping the right eleven players — ultimately determined by some combination of suitability of role, individual strengths and desire — step onto the field for kickoff kitted in Loons wings. If not, Minnesota’s final season in the NASL may end with a whimper.