As reported here on Sunday, the Nutrilite Canadian Championship is likely to change formats for 2011. What was first a throw away one-liner in the Montreal Gazette has since been confirmed as likely by TFC business director Paul Beirne.
Paul's words can be read at MLSsoccer, where some hack reported on it today. When reached for comment the CSA would only say that they have "not announced anything yet."
The reaction to this (likely) change has been mostly negative with a healthy dose of Centre-of-the-Universe conspiracy theory thrown into the mix. That TFC gets soft touch Edmonton -- and they will be a soft touch -- in the first round has caused some to suggest that some sinister force is trying to get Toronto in the final.
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Such thinking is, of course, absurd. If you are going to play a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 format you have to generate the seeding from somewhere and last year's competition is really the only place you could reasonably do that. The only other answer would be a random draw.
As to whether this is the best format, the answer, unfortunately, must be looked at pragmatically. A four team group would be marvellous. The Voyageur Cup games have been incredibly compelling the last two years and more of them would be a good thing. However, adding two more games to Vancouver and Toronto's schedule simply isn’t reasonable.
In 2010 Toronto FC played 44 games, second most in MLS. Only Seattle played more with 47. However, when you look at competitive fixtures only Toronto and Seattle tied for the most in the league with 43. By comparison, the MLS Cup champions Colorado Rapids played 36 games.
Although the talent wasn't good enough, the amount of games TFC played last year was also a significant factor in the club's late season swan dive down the table.
It's important to remember that the MLS regular season is increasing by two games in 2011. Factor that with the potential of six intense, derby-like games for the Voyageurs' Cup and you are staring at the possibility of a 46 game competitive schedule for either Vancouver of Toronto. That's before the possibility of playoffs.
As fans it's easy to want more of a good thing. However, the clubs need to ensure that they are in the best possible position to compete.
The likely new format isn't as fun for fans, but it is more reasonable for the athletes competing in it -- whether they are from Vancouver, Toronto or, in 2012, Montreal.