Nicki Paterson, the Scottish midfielder AC St. Louis picked up last week, is gone before playing a game because of a visa problem unrelated to soccer. (Lacking the proper visa, it turns out he was in the country illegally and is headed back to England.) The team has gotten Chris Schuler, a defender for Real Salt Lake, on loan again and should have him for the rest of the season, unless he's needed again in Utah. Schuler can be a big presence on AC's backline, and will help. He'll be here in time for the Miami game on Sunday.

The game with Miami is another game AC can't afford to lose, and it's also one it probably can't afford to tie. Miami is the last-place team in the league, and if AC can't beat them, well, who are they going to beat? A win over Miami won't put AC in the playoff range, but it should put them within two points of one, and once you get within three points, the playoffs become possible. Minnesota plays at Austin on Saturday night and Tampa is off, so with a win, it would be two points out and have a game in hand on Minnesota.