The Canadian Soccer Association is hoping to level the playing field when it comes to Canadians in MLS.
And the Canadian federation have already made their feelings clear to the league on what they want.
According to CSA president Victor Montagliani, the Canadian federation met with the USSF and MLS earlier this year to begin formal discussions on having Canadian players considered domestic signings for U.S. teams. As it stands now, U.S. players are considered domestics on Canadian club rosters, but a Canadian player on a U.S. squad has to take up one of the coveted international spots. If you need a deeper understanding of the issue, the 11.ca did a fantastic series on the ins and outs on the matter.
But even prior to that series, the CSA was looking at ways they can give the Canadians a leg up in the league that now houses the three Canuck squads, which boast some of the best attendances in the league.
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"We have had these discussions for a while now but in terms of formal discussions they began in January," Montagliani said. "We have put our position forward and we’re now discussing with – and it’s a trifecta in terms of discussion – it’s the CSA, USSF and the MLS. ... Our goal is that to have some sort of resolution, one way or another, towards the end of their season. By the time next season comes around, we’d like to see some movement on this issue."
When asked what the CSA's position was, Montagliani said this:
"My own personal opinion is we need to make it an even playing field where a Canadian is treated as a domestic in the U.S., as a U.S. player is treated as a domestic in Canada. Which will allow a Canadian player more than three teams to go knock on their door."
A couple years ago, Canadian clubs led a charge to change the standards as they pertained to Canadians in their own country. Controversially, the CSA agreed to allow the watering down of Canadian player quotas in order for the local pro clubs to be competitive in MLS.
"I’m not a big proponent of quotas. I think you need to prove your worth. But I think you need an even playing field when you’re proving your worth."
So, where do things stand now in their negotiations with the USSF and MLS?
"There has been no official response from them. They’ve been receptive to what we’ve said and what we’ve sent them. The next time we sit down, we’ll see where that goes," Montagliani said. "I expect to meet again some time this summer. Whether it be at the Gold Cup, or MLS All-Star. We’re trying to co-ordinate something right now. It will be at some point this summer, we’ll sit down again."