Toronto MLS

[SoccerPrime]

Garber answered this very question during the press conference for the stadium/Toronto MLS deadline.

He said that Americans would be SIs (Sen. In'ls) along with all other non-Canadians. All rules that call for domestic players would be Canadians for a Toronto team.

Garber said that this was to help the Canadian national team, just like the current MLS has helped out the USMNT.

Tell me that MLSE (would be owners of the new Toronto MLS team) aren't licking their chomps to get MLS's Dwayne DeRosario and probably Will Johnson or Pat Onstad?

Another good Canuck is Fulham's Tomasz Radzinski.
Check this out for more information:
http://www.canadasoccer.com/eng/nationals/roster.asp?top=banner_legs&sub=3

[Aero]

Originally Posted by SoccerPrime

He said that Americans would be SIs (Sen. In'ls) along with all other non-Canadians. All rules that call for domestic players would be Canadians for a Toronto team.

I still think that is dumb.

Garber said that this was to help the Canadian national team, just like the current MLS has helped out the USMNT.

Why should MLS care about helping the Canadian national team. It is a US league isn't it? Why do we want to help the competition. Let them form their own league if they want to improve the play of their national team. We had to do it, why shouldn't they?

When you start making special rules that only apply to one or two teams in the league, it makes the league look bush league. One set of rules for all teams and if the teams don't like it, they don't have to join. There are plenty of places that would love an MLS team that we don't have rewrite an already complicated rulebook just to get one team in the league.

Okay, I guess I'm done ranting. 😁

[SoccerPrime]

Yes, it does sound strange to me too.
But I think that with 12 plus teams (yes I am including Chivas USA) already feeding the USMNT, it won't hurt the US in int'l matches. In fact it might help us to get our northern neighbor up to speed and competitive.
Of course, I don't think Mexico has thought too much of the USA improving over the years. 😉

But really, MLSE is a great new investor for MLS (they need more investors), Toronto is a huge town with great cosmopolitian ties and will hopefully add even more intensity to MLS.

[Aero]

Originally Posted by SoccerPrime

But really, MLSE is a great new investor for MLS (they need more investors), Toronto is a huge town with great cosmopolitian ties and will hopefully add even more intensity to MLS.

I just want to be clear. I have no problem with a new team in Toronto. I just don't think that MLS should rewrite the rulebook to get them. It almost comes across as desperate.

"We'll do anything to get you to buy a team, including rewriting the rulebook just for you if you'll invest in our league."

I think in the long run that kind of attitude will be bad for the league. They can't go around giving in to the demands of anyone that has enough money to invest in the league.

Toronto = good. Changing the rules = bad.

[Aero]

Originally Posted by SoccerPrime

Yes, it does sound strange to me too.
But I think that with 12 plus teams (yes I am including Chivas USA) already feeding the USMNT, it won't hurt the US in int'l matches. In fact it might help us to get our northern neighbor up to speed and competitive.

If Toronto gets all the best Canadian players on one team, they will end up being the Canadian national team basically. Toronto will suck during call-ups, but the Canadian national team will certainly be good because they will be playing with each other year round. Sometimes familiarity can trump raw talent.

I'm sure that someday when Canada knocks the US out of the World Cup because MLS has given them a place to play together as a national team all the time, this won't look like such a good idea. 😉

[SoccerPrime]

I completely agree.
But realistically, MLS is desperate.
I mean they need new investors to keep the engine running and get out of the red.

And MLSE wasn't going to put a team in Detroit because its "sorta" close to Canada.

"Beggars can't be chosers."

If Comcast Cable in Philly, Bill Gates in Seattle, Nike in Portland, Ford in Detroit, Exxon/Mobil in Houston or Goodyear Tires in Cleveland (ok Akron...) decided to invest in MLS in their hometowns, we wouldn't have to "settle" for Toronto.

But if we must settle for Toronto, its not that bad.

[Stucki]

Originally Posted by Aero

If Toronto gets all the best Canadian players on one team, they will end up being the Canadian national team basically. Toronto will suck during call-ups, but the Canadian national team will certainly be good because they will be playing with each other year round. Sometimes familiarity can trump raw talent.

I'm sure that someday when Canada knocks the US out of the World Cup because MLS has given them a place to play together as a national team all the time, this won't look like such a good idea. 😉

I thought that Canadian players should have counted as domestic players from the very beginning of the league. North American sports leagues have generally included both countries, so this shouldn't have been any different.

I really don't think we have to worry about Canada knocking us out of the World Cup, that would be Costa Rica's problem.

[Aero]

Originally Posted by Stucki

I really don't think we have to worry about Canada knocking us out of the World Cup, that would be Costa Rica's problem.

I'm sure that 15 years ago, Costa Rica and Mexico thought the same thing about us. 😉

[SoccerPrime]

BTW
On the "other" 2007 team news, I still feel Houston has the lead there.

We have heard nothing out of the other potential cities.

Which of course means that Memphis, TN will spring up out of no where like SLC at the MLS Cup and be declared #14.

[the Bardguy]

Originally Posted by Stucki

I thought that Canadian players should have counted as domestic players from the very beginning of the league. North American sports leagues have generally included both countries, so this shouldn't have been any different.

I think we should make Canada the 52nd state. Right after we make Iraq the 51st.
🕺