Stakes high as FC Edmonton angles for a playoff spot

Head coach Colin Miller barks out commands to his players on a crisp fall morning at Edmonton's Clarke Stadium.

It's one of the last chances for the squad to practise before hitting the road to kick off against the Carolina RailHawks and then the Jacksonville Armada FC.

Those areteams many have never heard of, in a league most people don't know existThe North American Soccer League.

But now FC Edmonton, known as the Eddies, are within striking distance of winning it all.

"Fingers crossed we get into the playoffs, and not just the playoffs, I'd love to win the whole championship," said Miller. "It would be great for our city."

Miller admits the stakes arehigh and the pressure is on as the teamsits second overall in the standings of the 12-team league, just behindthe leading team, the New York Cosmos.

• FC Edmonton owner playing for keeps

"We're in a good place we deserve to be in a good place. The team is well prepared, fit and organized," said Miller,who hasbeenhead coach since 2013.

FC Edmonton joined the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 2010.

Local entrepreneurs Tom and Dave Fath, best known in the paving and construction business, have bankrolled the team since the beginning.

But it's been a struggle to fill the stands in a city with long established professional hockey and football franchises.

Five years ago, when the Eddies debuted, they attracted about 1,800 in terms of average attendance.

Last season, thatalmost doubled to an average 3,100 in the stands.

Miller says some bad weather has cut into the number of people heading to the pitch to watch this year.So far, attendance this season averages around 2,100.

Now, with just three more home games before playoffs, midfielder Nik Ledgerwood is hopingpeople hop on the bandwagon for the final push.

"Edmonton hasnever won the NASL championship before, and to have a Canadian team do that would be phenomenal," saidLedgerwood, who isoriginally from Lethbridge, Alta.

He's also proud of the work the players do with charities andsports academies, helping tobuild interest insoccer in Edmonton.

"We have a real player-friendly atmosphere where the kids can come onto the field after the game and get autographs, hang out with us, take pictures."

As for coachMiller, he admits it's the most exciting time in the club's history. Winning it all would be a big deal for him.

"Personally, it would be fantastic. I lost my dad four years ago to cancer and I'm sure he's looking down from upstairs and very proud of what his son is doing here at the moment."

To see more from Clarke Stadium watch Our Edmonton on Saturday at 10 a.m., Sunday at 4 p.m. and 11 a.m. on Monday on CBC TV.