FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller looks back on the success of this past season with excitement towards the future.

Miller guided FC Edmonton to their most successful North American Soccer League campaign, which came to an end Saturday in a 1-0 semifinal loss to the Indy Eleven.

With exit interviews completed, Miller had a chance to reflect on a season that came a win away from a berth into the league championship.

“It would be very easy to say that we planned it that way, it would sound like it was a revelation or something,” Miller said. “Every year it’s always our goal to make the playoffs, and hopefully, more than that. This year, when we got together and we started training, there was just something different about the group and a chemistry that was there. There was a standard, there was an experience at the group that I hadn’t seen before at the club. That certainly gave me hope that we were going to be along the right road this season.”

FC Edmonton went on a tour of Scotland to prepare for the 2016 NASL season, which Miller credits for the team’s strong showing in the Spring Season.

Edmonton came within a point of the Spring Season title, which would have given them home field advantage for their playoff game against Indy.

Edmonton won five of their 10 Spring Season games and had it not been for a stumble against the expansion Miami FC, would have won the title.

They continued their strong form through the longer Fall Season and for a brief moment, took over top spot in the standings before finishing third.

“There were games this season where we were in very tight situations where we were leading 1-0 and we managed to see those out, whereas before, we would possibly have tied those games or in some cases, lose them,” Miller said. “The fact that we managed to do that on a very consistent basis, shows the character and the standard defensively of what we set out to do. The disappointing thing, of course, even though the team was successful, was the (low) amount of goals that we scored. That will certainly be a priority in the off-season, trying to acquire players that will complement the defensive discipline that I require, but also add a great deal to the attacking side of the game.”

FC Edmonton had the best defensive record in the 12-team league, backstopped by goalkeeper Matt VanOekel, who had an outstanding season. VanOekel won the NASL Golden Glove award, given to the league’s best goalkeeper.

In his second year with FC Edmonton, having come over from the Minnesota United FC, VanOekel conceded a league-low 16 goals in 29 games.

“I remember thinking when he shut us out in Minnesota that I would love to get this big fella at some point in his career,” Miller said. “His level of consistency this year was fantastic and I know that it’s easily been his best season. He should be very proud of the work and the disciple he’s shown to put the work in. We have a great relationship with Matt, we’ve made him a good offer to stay and he’s going over that offer at the moment, and fingers crossed, that he does stay with the Eddies. But he’s a free agent and as you know there are opportunities for guys that have been successful, there are a lot of people after them.”

Unfortunately for FC Edmonton, success can bring about uncertainty going into the following season. Along with VanOekel, a number of Edmonton’s other free agents could be sought after following strong seasons.

Yet, according to Miller, FC Edmonton will keep its core group.

“I would say at least 70-75 percent of the group will be back next year,” Miller said. “There will be that turnover of five or six players, but at this stage I don’t imagine we will lose 10 or 12 players, because we will use the club option on that core of players.”

Miller himself may become a hot commodity after guiding Edmonton to the final four against teams with higher profiles and bigger budgets.

“I haven’t spoken to anybody, I’m still under contract and will be meeting with (owner) Tom (Fath),” Miller said. “You never know what’s around the corner, it’s professional sports.

“But, I have a fabulous relations with Tom and Dave Fath, it’s a very, very strong working together relationship. Tom is very proud of his club and I’m very proud to be the head coach of the club and we’re trying to extend the deal at this moment and time.”

Dvandiest@postmedia.com

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