It's time for Round 2.

A year after getting bounced by FC Edmonton in the preliminary round of the Amway Canadian Championship, Ottawa Fury FC will look to settle the score Wednesday night as the club welcomes the Eddies to TD Place.

At stake in the two-leg series, which shifts to Edmonton next week: a spot in the next round and a date with MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps.

The annual tournament pits Canada's five professional soccer clubs against each other and Fury would love nothing more than to get past its first real NASL rival after coming up short in the club's expansion season.

At practice Tuesday, Fury coach Marc Dos Santos was trying to avoid making Wednesday's game seem bigger than the team's regular-season matches.

"Every competition is important for us and we have two objectives that are very big," said the coach. "To reach the playoffs of the NASL is one of them and the second is to qualify to the semifinals of the Amway."

Fury set the tone for its season last weekend when it blanked reigning regular season champions Minnesota United FC 1-0. But Edmonton is coming in with an identical 1-1-1 record and is coming off a big win of its own against Fort Lauderdale.

Despite the narrow practice window -- with the rare midweek matchup crossing paths with the need to give guys some rest -- Dos Santos has been pleased with the last two days of game preparations.

"Like every other game, I think the approach of these guys have been extremely professional," Dos Santos said. "The approach of these guys has always been (that) they want to do well, they want to succeed, they want to win."

Midfielder Nicki Paterson, who was hurt during last year's Amway games, said Fury knows what to expect from Edmonton.

"They set up the same way every time," he said. "They're a very tough team, they're a very strong defensive team "¦ and they've got a team that's been together for a few years now, so they know each other well.

"I think if we focus on what we need to do over the two legs we'll be strong enough."

Paterson had plenty of success playing for the Charleston Battery in the Open Cup, the American equivalent of the Amway, setting a tournament record by scoring in all five years he took part.

With the news that captain Richie Ryan is back on the injured list and will be out at least three weeks, it's expected Paterson will again line up next to Julian de Guzman in the defensive midfield.

For de Guzman, a Canadian and captain of the men's national team, the Canadian Championship is particularly exciting. He also brings a track record of success to Fury, having won the Amway three times while with Toronto FC.

"It's a huge honour," said de Guzman. "To be a part of (Fury) in this tournament, I know that's important that we first deal with this match, but you know going forward, anything can happen, it's open for everyone (to win).

"It just comes down to the team with the most depth and also the guys who are prepared for the quick turnovers from the weekend games."

Practice Tuesday saw the same back line as the one that shut down Minnesota on Saturday, meaning Ryan Richter, Rafael Alves, Colin Falvey and Brandon Poltronieri will likely get the nod Wednesday.

Up front, Paulo Jr. will also likely start, with Oliver potentially shifting to the right wing and Andrew Wiedeman starting in the central striker spot.

The second leg of the preliminary round is set for next Wednesday in Edmonton.