The Calgary Mustangs close out the 2004 season tonight but will the soccer club be in Cowtown next year?

A one-year reprieve from the A-League ends after tonight's season finale against the Milwaukee Wave United (McMahon Stadium, 7 p.m.). That means the Astroturf at McMahon must be replaced in favour of FIFA-approved synthetic turf before the 2005 campaign or the Mustangs must find a new barn.

Team co-owner Juergen Hanne said yesterday he's confident the 'Stangs will return.

"We think we'll go ahead. We need to get new turf for McMahon Stadium and we got a clear indication from them that we can do it," said Hanne. "We would help finance it with some subsidies from the Canadian government and we can structure a deal with the Canadian Minor Soccer Association, which looks very good."

Stadium manager John Haverstock said the facility will get the new-generation infill systems surface but no concrete time-frame is in place.

"It's a question of when it happens, not if ... and it's a question of finding the funding and that can be a pretty pain-staking process sometimes," said Haverstock, adding some cash could come from the government because of the numerous amateur sporting events held at McMahon.

QUICK KICK: If the Mustangs win, it'll be their fifth of the season, setting a franchise high while in the A-League.