NASL released the full league schedule Thursday, and all but three of FC Edmonton’s home dates will feature 2 p.m. Sunday start times.

The club made the announcement Wednesday that Adidas will be the new supplier of the team’s jersey and training gear for the next three years. The only thing that could interrupt the deal is if NASL signs a league-wide apparel deal, much like MLS has with Adidas.

So, when it comes to picking the year’s best stories, I let the numbers speak for themselves. I went back through the analytics and looked at the 11 stories you, the readers, kept reading and re-reading.

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.

It looks as if Lance Parker and David Monsalve will battle for the role of FC Edmonton’s No. 1 keeper in 2012. The NASL club confirmed Tuesday that Rein Baart, who got the lion’s share of the starts in 2011, won’t be back.

In the wake of the 5-0 loss to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the first round of the NASL playoffs two weekends ago, the team has announced major changes will be made. Eleven players have been told they will not be back next year. On that list are defenders John Jonke, Eddy Sidra and Alex Surprenant.

New FC Edmonton general manager Tom Leip said that finding a new stadium for the team to call home is his top priority. “For us, the key is a new facility,” he said. “We have to have more seating, we need different levels of seating. We need to be in a situation where we can create more revenue streams.”

After a couple of weeks of delays, FC Edmonton has announced the hiring of former Portland sports executive Tom Leip as its new general manager. Leip will assume control of the business operations of the NASL club, while director of soccer operations Joe Petrone will make the player and personnel decisions.