A few players said it during Ottawa Fury FC's record run of shutout soccer earlier this season and a few more have said when talking about the club's current 12-game unbeaten roll.

We're going to concede a goal, they said, and we're going to lose a game at some point. That's just mathematical fact, one even a numerically-challenged sportswriter can understand. Every streak ends at some point.

But while Fury did eventually concede a goal to end their run of defensive dominance at 648 minutes, it's anyone's best guess when this team might find itself in the loss column again. Ottawa is now just one win or draw shy of tying a modern-day NASL record for consecutive matches without suffering a loss. If Fury keeps the run going when Minnesota United FC comes to town Saturday night, Fury will get a chance to break the record against the New York Cosmos, one of two teams holding a share of the current mark.

Based on Ottawa's dominant 4-1 win over Indy Eleven on Saturday, there's no reason to believe this streak will end before Fury snatches yet another league record in what has quickly turned into a dream sophomore season.

Here are five reasons why this run won't end anytime soon.

5 -Hello, strikers

Considering the impact signing new forwards has had on Fury's existing crop of formerly struggling strikers, coach Marc Dos Santos has found a way to light a fire under his more offensively-minded players. Tommy Heinemann, who got off to a slow start in the spring season, went on a tear earlier in the fall season after Aly Hassan was brought into the mix. Against Indy, Andrew Wiedeman scored twice -- his first two NASL goals -- in the first game since Ugur Albayrak, who didn't end up making the trip, was signed by the club. Coincidence? Maybe. But there's no denying the benefit of some healthy competition.

4 -The French Connection

The reaction to sign veteran French goalkeeper Romuald Peiser midway through last season was met with confusion and, in some cases, anger, as the move effectively ended then-Fury keeper Devala Gorrick's run with the club. In hindsight, the signing proved to be one of the best yet by Dos Santos as Peiser has gone on to start 32-straight league games. The 36-year-old has also earned eight clean sheets this season and wore the captain's armband with Ryan out injured. Even when the Fury defence keeps Peiser from having to make many saves in a game, he's always directing his squad and his regularly the most vocal guy on the pitch.

3 -Connect 4

There's not much left to be said about Fury's formidable back line that hasn't already been repeated. But the quartet of Ryan Richter, Rafael Alves, Colin Falvey and Mason Trafford is the story of the year for Ottawa. Coming into the season, only Richter and Trafford had played together, and that was for only a portion of last year and with Trafford playing centre back. After starting the season on the bench, Trafford has found a home on the left side and hasn't looked back, while Falvey and Alves have been so good together they've spawned a nickname, Falves. Tweeted injured Fury midfielder Nicki Paterson after the win in Indy: "Offence wins games. Defence wins championships."

2 -Oh captain, my captain

Richie Ryan may prefer to downplay his significance to this club, but if his desire is to fly mostly under the radar, he's doing a lousy job of it. Ottawa hasn't loss in the eight games this season in which Ryan has appeared, even when those appearances were a pair of 15-minute runs as the Irishman tried to make his way back from injury. Ryan is the heartbeat of the team, even without the two highlight reel free kick goals and one from the spot he's tallied so far in the fall season. His influence continues to rub off mostly on protege Mauro Eustaquio, who scored his first Fury goal against Indy and is taking a regular turn alongside Ryan in midfield.

1 -The gaffer

While Marc Dos Santos has earned the respect of fans and the media for his no nonsense, honest answers to questions and approach to the game, he's backed up his words time and time again as head coach of the surging Fury. When Ottawa was struggling last season, he preached patience, promising the next step would be taken this season. When Fury was struggling to score, Dos Santos guaranteed the goals would come. He also vowed to make this team a playoff contender, though few believed that would be the case as quickly as it has turned out to be. If this keeps up, Fury will have a hard time hanging onto the already highly-respected bench boss.

Twitter: @chrishofley