The real difference to the English game would be the fact that, outside of Southern basement dwellers Reading and Queens Park Rangers, the non-playoff teams would all still have something to play for outside of relegation.

So we went under the website’s hood and looked at the analytics. And, we were able to rank our 11 most-read stories of the year. Now, we present them in order.

Canadian striker Iain Hume opened his Doncaster Rovers’ account in a 2-0 win over at Leyton Orient Saturday.

This is simply a statistical look at how the teams have performed. But it is compelling. Outside of the Habs, the North American sports teams have a history of slumping badly once their owners go and invest in the world’s most popular league, the EPL. And, for Red Sox fans, Avalanche fans and the like, it’s absolutely justified to have a case of little man syndrome — based on the stats.

The team announced Thursday that Scottish international Barry Robson will join the team in July as a Designated Player. Because Robson will join at the halfway mark of the MLS campaign, his cap will be US$167,500 in 2012.

Stefan Frei can now say he has gone from the Reds to the Reds. Toronto FC announced Sunday that the Swiss goalkeeper will train with Liverpool FC until Dec. 18.

Sometimes, you just have to wonder if artificial surface is preferable to temporary grass fields. Manchester City beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 Monday night in their Herbalife World Football Challenge friendly at Empire Field. But the talk of the match won’t be the audacious strike from Shaun Wright-Phillips that gave Man City the win. It won’t be on an impressive …

But, on a historic night for Canadian soccer — and a historic night for the U-17 World Cup — goalkeeper Quillan Roberts provided one of the most remarkable goals anyone from this country has scored in an international match at any level. His goal gave Canada a 2-2 draw with England, keeping this country’s hopes alive entering Saturday’s Group C finale against Rwanda.

The Vancouver Whitecaps are trying to use their strong links with Tottenham to their benefit. The MLS club confirmed today that Irish fullback Cian Hughton is on a 10-day trial. He’s the son of former Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton, who was sacked during the 2010-11 campaign.

Simeon Jackson will likely be plying his trade in the English Premier League next season. Jackson’s second-half goal gave Norwich City a 1-0 victory over Portsmouth in the penultimate match of the League Championship season, ensuring the Canaries will finish second in the table and earn automatic promotion to the Premiership.