FC Edmonton are hoping Sunday proves to be a watershed moment for the club.

Having scratched and clawed to get themselves into the playoff conversation this season, the squad needs a positive result against one of the best teams in the North American Soccer League, to stay there.

Going up against Minnesota United FC (2 p.m.) at Clarke Stadium, the contest will go a long way in determining Edmonton’s fate, particularly with a game against Fall Season leaders San Antonio next week.

“I think this next spell is going to be very important,” said FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller. “I told the guys that we have to take it one 45-minute spell at a time, 90-minutes at a time. That’s exactly how we’ll do it.

“We can’t worry about facing the team that’s at the top of the league next week in San Antonio, we have to have total focus on the Spring champions, Minnesota.”

Minnesota United already have their place booked in the NASL playoffs. They were awarded a spot by virtue of finishing first in the Spring Season standings.

They’ll be joined in the post-season by the Fall Season champion and the next two teams with the best combined records.

Heading into the contest, FC Edmonton is six point back of the final playoff spot.

“This will be a big test for us,” Miller said. “ But as I’ve said to the guys before, the better players you play against, the more likely you are to play well. It’s easier because you have to be mentally sharp. And when the guys are going into the game on the front foot as they say in football, that’s a good place to be.”

With a win in Carolina two weeks ago and victory over the Fort Lauderdale Strikers last week, FC Edmonton are starting to feel good about their game.

The club feels they have turned a corner after struggling in the Spring Season and stumbling out of the gate in the Fall campaign.

The last thing they need, is to run into a wall in Minnesota United, who despite having clinched a playoff spot, are still challenging for the for the Fall Season title.

“They were the best team in the Spring league, they kept that standard going in the Fall Season as has San Antonio, who we play next week,” Miller said. “We’ve been playing well of late, but there is still a lot of work to be done. We have to keep this going now. I think we’re playing an entertaining brand of football, the team is organized, the team is fit.

“Teams don’t underestimate the Eddies anymore and that’s a real compliment to the players.”

It’s been some time since Edmonton has played a game with the significance of Sunday’s encounter. They’re hoping to attract a big crowd out to Clarke Stadium.

“We’re getting a little buzz in the city, which is great, the fans have been great all year, which is huge for us,” said FC Edmonton midfielder Michael Nonni. “The fans are really looking forward to this game, just as are we. Everyone is working hard and we’re really excited for it.”

Nonni credits a higher confidence level and some ball luck in his team’s turnaround.

Early in the second half of the season, FC Edmonton were outplaying their opponents, but not finding much luck around the net.

“This game is all about confidence,” Nonni said. “We’ve scored a few goals here and a few guys have a couple of goals now and they’re getting the ball and making things happen.”

A win over Minnesota would keep the ball rolling for Edmonton, who desperately need to make a strong playoff push for the sake of their franchise. The goal going into the year was to qualify for the post season, but it’s taken some time to get things rolling.

“That would be magic, it’s been our goal since the first day of training camp to get into the playoffs and win a championship,” Nonni said. “It would be massive for the club, it would create a lot of buzz for soccer in the city, which is what everybody wants here.”