"We're very optimistic we're going to make the playoffs," said Gerry Crnic, managing director of the Canadian Soccer League club. "I have no doubt.

"Once you make the playoffs … there's no reason we can't win again."

Last season, the Galaxy came out of nowhere to win the CSL championship. As an expansion club, not much was expected from the team.

But, after finishing seventh, the Galaxy went on to win quarter-final and semifinal playoff matches before taking the championship.

This season, a slow start that included three wins and seven losses cost Dzepina his job. “Once you make the playoffs … there's no reason we can't win again.” Gerry Crnic of the Brantford Galaxy But the team has bounced back under Dancetovic, posting back-to-back wins to move into a tie for eighth in the 14-team league. The top eight teams make the playoffs.

Whether Dancetovic will still be the head coach remains to be seen. The team had planned to find a permanent replacement for Dzepina. But Crnic and the rest of the Galaxy management team seem content for now.

"The idea was to bring someone else in but (Dancetovic) is doing so well we're not going to hurry," said Crnic. "As long as the results are there, he'll stay."

Crnic said he has noticed a positive change in the team, including bridging a gap between the team's imports and local players.

"The change was noticeable at the first practice," Crnic said. "There doesn't seem to be a rift between the home boys and the imports.

"It seems some of the pressure is gone."

The winning has no doubt helped.

In Dancetovic's debut, the Galaxy scored a 2-1 win against North York Astros. That was followed by a thrilling 5-3 come-from-behind win last weekend at home against the St. Catharines Wolves.

Management also is happy with the offence. The team had just seven goals in its first 10 games before exploding for seven in its past two.

"We're scoring some goals and this is something we haven't been able to do," said Crnic.

"It's frustrating when you hit some cross-bars and goal posts. The experts would say bad luck but I say it's a lack of concentration."

But, If the Galaxy wants to make a run deep into the playoffs, the team will have to play tighter defence. The team has given up 22 goals in 12 games this season.

"You can say we've been unlucky on the defensive end but these are goals that you can attribute to a lack of concentration or a mixup at the back," said Crnic.

Should Brantford revert back to its old form, Crnic said the team will pull the trigger on trades. Currently the transfer window in North America runs from July 15-Aug. 14, meaning players can be brought in from other countries during this time.

"We have enough time to see where we are," Crnic said. "If we win the next two games, we could be fifth or sixth.

"If we do need to bring someone in, we have time.

"This is a big weekend. We want to get the most we can out of the weekend."

Brantford is scheduled to play on the road against London City on Friday at 8:30 p.m. and away again on Sunday against Brampton United at 6 p.m.

London City is currently 13th in the league with five points (1-6-2) while Brampton is tied for fifth with 19 points (6-5-1).

The Galaxy have 15 points.

Crnic has all the confidence in the world in his team.

"On paper, this team is better than last year," he said. "We just haven't been able to prove that, yet."

EXTRA TIME . . . Last season, the Galaxy drew some crowds of around 1,000 people. This season, the number at most games seems to be well under 500. A price increase – the cost of a ticket this year is $15 instead of $10 – hasn't helped but Crnic said group rates remain unchanged. "It has been disappointing," he said of the crowds. "You sort of digest it and see what you can do better. Maybe Sunday isn't a good day (for home games). We went from 8 p.m. to 6 p.m. to give families with young children an opportunity to attend. I don't know if this means we don't have the support of the soccer community. Maybe we need to change the day of the games." While there was talk among the CSL members of mandating a league-wide ticket price, some clubs have backed away and are charging $10. Crnic said fans will be able to provide feedback on a date or time change for home games . . . The Galaxy's next home game is July 31 against Toronto Croatia.

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