He’s going to make a great tackle against Kylian Mbappe which many people will credit for being the reason San Diego wins their first MLS title in 2031 against LAFC.

It’s not that European games are unimportant- they very much aren’t, but I think Série A has plenty of big games against good teams in very hostile environments, and so if JD transfers at the expense of missing out on one year of European ball, I don’t think it’s necessarily the worst thing in the world. I think the number of clubs who could offer him a challenge he couldn’t face in Italy are very small, and in all likelihood, Napoli will spend the Osimhen profits on a team capable of ensuring the rest of JD’ time in Naples will have European games. Of course, if an opportunity to play for an even more successful club presents itself, I would want him to take it, but if the choice is either Napoli or playing out his contract at Lille, I think Napoli is by far the way to go. 

When I look at that table, there are seemingly more well known sides in it than in the bottom half of the top division. 

OK, man. Another Winnipeger for whom I clearly need to buy a round at some point down the round. I wish you peace and I wish your club survives. Under new owners.

Results and details of the Friday April 19/24  MLS NEXT Pro game between Toronto FC II and New England Revolution II played at York Lions Stadium.  My game report at:   http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports24/24tfc224.htm

I thought Campbell and Antonoglou looked pretty good for Valour this match

It's possible a CPL coach could be successful with the National Team but in the big picture, it looks like CS is having difficulty making a top-notch hire. I don't imagine the job is desirable for most reputable candidates. You can say the opportunity is there to participate in a COPA and a WC but with the expanded field for both tournaments, you're not poaching a quality coach from another National Team. So while people might not be enthralled with TH and FL they might be the type of names that are realistic for this program. 

Sheppard is apparently in Halifax on trial. How do you draft a player number 1 in a draft and not offer a development contract that essentially costs the team nothing? It seems like a typical Valour use of the draft. Players must hope this team does not take them in the draft. Watching the season's first two games, you have to wonder how many points this team will pick up this year. And if after starting 7 games on the road, how energized the fan base will be after they get home? It looks like a team that's starting Year 1 and having to establish an identity and grow. They look more organized and committed but simply don't have the talent and creativity to threaten to score. Their only real threat is T.A.'s delivery from left-back.  I have sympathy for PDS and the coaching staff, they are working hard to turn around the culture in the club but it has to be challenging with the reputation the club has developed over the past couple of years. The league is littered with ex-valour players who have performed better elsewhere. Recruitment has to be difficult.  Also, the goaltending looks horrible. Evan Barker would be more reliable.   

The Canadian MNT has never been the worst team in their region. And they have been frustrating to cheer for because so often they were often so much less than the sum of their parts. The sum of Valour's parts is zero.