It’s business as usual for FC Edmonton despite concerns regarding the status of the North American Soccer League.

Tuesday’s ruling by the United States Soccer Federation revoking the league’s Division 2 status for 2018 has put their future in doubt.

“They haven’t sanctioned the NASL for 2018, but 2017 continues as per normal,” said FC Edmonton owner Tom Fath. “We’re sanctioned, we’re in the league, we’re playing, and so the games this year and the finals this year will be all as per usual.”

Shortly after the ruling by the USSF, the NASL released a statement critical of the decision.

“The NASL is disappointed with the decision and does not believe that the federation acted in the best interest of the sport," it said. "U.S. Soccer’s decision negatively affects many stakeholders in soccer: fans, players, coaches, referees, business partners, and the NASL club owners who have invested tens of millions of dollars promoting the sport. The decision also jeopardizes the thousands of jobs created by the NASL and its member clubs.”

The Fath brothers, Tom and Dave, founded FC Edmonton in 2009. The two have lost millions keeping the team afloat for the better part of the last decade. Tom Fath says he remains committed to keeping professional soccer in Edmonton despite the uncertainly of the NASL.

“We believe in soccer,” he said. “At the same time, while the attendance has improved, it still has a way to go to become sustainable. But currently, we’re still committed to soccer.”

FC Edmonton has lobbied the city to help construct a soccer-specific stadium in the city, which would allow the team to be financially viable. The club played their first two seasons at Foote Field before moving to Clarke Stadium in 2012.

“FC Edmonton needs more support to become sustainable,” Fath said. “It would be nice to have more support from the city, but also from the corporate side of the economy, and we’re still not selling out every game, so we need more support all the way around.”

The NASL underwent a similar uncertainty last fall when their Division 2 status was up for review after losing five of 12 teams. The governing body of soccer in the United States granted provisional Division 2 status to the NASL and the United Soccer League, raising it from Division 3 status.

This season, the NASL featured eight teams, including an expansion franchise in San Francisco. The league was planning on introducing expansion franchises in Orange County and San Diego, Calif., for next season.

“There is still lots of time left between now and 2018 to see how things transpire,” Fath said. “At the current time, it doesn’t make any difference, because we’re going to play as normal and it’s still a long time between now and December. I believe with this sort of thing, you let time pass and see what transpires between now and then.”

FC Edmonton have 10 games remaining in their regular season. They host North Carolina FC on Sunday (2 p.m.) at Clarke Stadium.

Edmonton is currently tied for second in the NASL fall season standings, seven points behind leaders Miami FC. FC Edmonton heads into their game Sunday against North Carolina FC on a five-game undefeated streak and nine points back of the fourth and final playoff spot in the Combined standings.

“The message from the league is that we carry on,” said FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller. “We’re focused on one game at a time, and whatever happens, the powers that be will handle it. We are very positive, our ownership, everything is rock solid. We’re just focusing on trying to get into this playoff spot. Whatever is going to happen is going to happen, but this group of players and our staff and our ownership, everything has been so positive and we won’t be distracted by anything.”

The NASL’s demotion to Division 3 status could result in member clubs finding alternative leagues to play in next season. North Carolina FC released a statement saying it “remains fully committed to playing at the highest level possible in 2018 and beyond.”

For FC Edmonton, the development of a new Canadian Premier League could become an option if the NASL ceases operations.

“We’re in the NASL and we believe in the NASL, it’s a great league,” Fath said. “At the same time, I know the CPL is looking at starting and I think the CPL will be fantastic for Canada. Canada needs that going forward, but we are in the NASL now.”

dvandiest@postmedia.com

On Twitter: DerekVanDiest