The Stars’ Cinderella run through the NASL playoffs looks like it might never strike midnight. The Stars will head to Florida with a 3-1 lead after the first leg in Blaine, Minn.

The Canadians and Brazilians finished tied atop their qualifying group after the teams played to a 0-0 stalemate Saturday. But Brazil won a coin toss and got the top spot in the group. So, the Canadians will face the Colombians, who won their group.

Toronto FC's last game of the 2011 season could've almost served as a microcosm of the club's entire year. Some defensive breakdowns that led to opposing goals, Danny Koevermans bailing the Reds out and, in the end, a 2-2 draw with the New England Revolution that left the BMO Field fans satisfied, if not overjoyed, with how their club performed.

It’s a move that surprised absolutely no one. The Montreal Impact announced Friday that standout goalkeeper Evan Bush has become the third player to sign with the club for its inaugural MLS season.

FC Edmonton has confirmed that owner Tom Fath and its brass met with city officials Wednesday to discuss a new venue for the NASL club to call home.“We were in contact with the City about 24 hours ago,” said FCE general manager Tom Leip on Thursday.

FC Edmonton has taken its first step in developing the academy, and more strides are expected in the spring.

FC Edmonton will find out on New Year’s Eve whether or not midfielder Matt Lam will be returning to the NASL club or staying in Japan.But, FCE president Tom Leip confirmed that the club has exercised the option on Lam’s contract. If Lam comes back, FCE would have him on the books for the 2012 season.

The union representing stadium workers, which had put B.C. Place under strike threat for the coming weekend, issued a statement Thursday that it will not interfere in the season finale, which sees the Whitecaps face the MLS Cup champion Colorado Rapids.

The Canadian national women’s team has made it two for two at the Pan Am Games. Christina Julien scored her second goal of the tournament, and it stood as the winner as Canada beat Argentina 1-0 in Guadalajara, Mexico. The team’s second win in a row gives coach John Herdman and his troops a guaranteed spot in the semifinals. “We …

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.”