“Minnesota wasn’t interested in me and they were going in a different direction,” said Nunez. “Edmonton seemed to really like me a lot. I was kind of shocked at what happened in Minnesota. I thought I was a big part of their plans. I guess I was mistaken.”

As part of the Minnesota Stars, he established himself as one of the best left backs in the league over the past two seasons. He was a key part of a Stars team that won it all in 2011 and got to the final in 2012.

Etienne Barbara was freed of his commitment to join FC Edmonton — and now the 2011 NASL MVP will join the rival Minnesota Stars.

"It is hard to figure out why this team didn't get better results with the talent they have."

The Eddies’ back line received a major upgrade when the team announced Wednesday that it had signed Neil Hlavaty and Lance Laing to deals.

The eight other current NASL teams are taking a wait-and-see attitude with the Minnesota Stars.

While MLS wrapped up its regular season, the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Minnesota Stars gave us an NASL championship that was far more enthralling than any MLS Cup in recent memory.

With a two-goal lead after the first leg of the NASL Championship, the Minnesota Stars’ grip on the Soccer Bowl has tightened. Now, the team that entered as the No. 6 seed is the odds-on favourite to repeat as North America’s Div. 2 champion.

As has been widely expected, the San Antonio Scorpions striker was named the NASL’s Golden Ball winner Wednesday.

Eddies’ central defender Paul Hamilton was named to the squad, which was announced by the league on Tuesday. The centre back was named defensive player of week in mid-May and led the team in minutes played, with 2,024.