Each current team can protect 11 players from its roster. Generation Adidas players don’t need to be protected, nor are Homegrown Players on the team’s off-budget roster. And, according to the rulebook, “Designated Players do not have to be protected unless the player has a no-trade clause in his contract.”

It’s a nice problem to have — but Toronto FC’s success in the CONCACAF Champions League is already throwing a wrench into the planning of next season’s Nutrilite Canadian Championship.Why? This past year, the NCC began in the last week of April. But, the CCL final’s second leg is set for April 24-26, which would put it in direct conflict with a similar NCC start date in 2012.

On a night when TFC shone brighter than ever before, it was a five-foot-two Ecuadorean who was the power source. Joao Plata set up Danny Koevermans first-half opener, then buried FCD with two wonderful second-half strikes.