CSA priority

[Danny Boy]

I don't know if this is the right forum to stick this in, plus it has be discussed ad nauseum around here. But I was reading threads around here and someone mentioned that the CSA's apparent priority was to get Canadian teams in the MLS. It hasn't been stated publically by the CSA but with the whole stadium thing the issue was again brought to the forefront.

Anyways, as I finally get to the point, I totally forgot that I had written the CSA (Kevan Pipe specifically) after the CSL had folded and I asked him about the creation of a new league. His response to that letter was that the CSA felt they should support the Canadian teams in the A-league and try to build on that. Nothing about trying to get the CSL back up and running. 13 years later, the CSA has done bubkas in helping the Canadian teams to thrive in the A-league (Edmonton and Calgary)and is apparently trying to support a Canadian presense in the MLS. Whether the latter is true or not is debatable.

So my long winded question is, could it be that the real CSA modus operandi is to just piggy back off the USA and hope their success will eventually rub off on us?

Richard will probably get annoyed that I'm trying to start an anti-CSA thread. I'm not trying to do that, I'm just trying to understand CSA methodology.

[Richard]

I'm not at all annoyed, you make a valid point. However like it or not, the MLS is the official North American First Division and USLD1 the official Second Division. To me it makes sense that the CSA would like to see more Canadians playing in the North American First Division and one sure way to improve the chances of Canadians making it into the MLS is to have a Canadian entry. This doesn't mean a lack of support for the Second Division USLD1. As for a perceived lack of CSA support for the failed Edmonton and Calgary USLD1 entries... their very failure suggests a poor business model and I for one am very pleased that the CSA did not invest our money in those failed ventures frankly.

As for a domestic Canadian pro league, well that topic has been thrashed to death in this forum. I suggest the very fact that we do not have one and haven't since the collapse of the CSL is fairly convincing evidence that there are no entrepeneurs who believe it could succeed (read become profitable) for now, whereas two out of our three USLD1 entries are thriving and providing excellent opportunities for our second tier MNT players. Most of our Third Division regional leagues seem to be doing pretty well to.

[Danny Boy]

Yeah, I guess it was good on the CSA's part to stay away from directly investing in the Alberta Franchises. But support doesn't necessarily have to be monetary. I'm thinking that if the CSA is going to take the position of supporting the growth of Canadian teams in the American leagues, that maybe it should focus on figuring a way to funnel our top young players in that direction. Because I don't think that 2nd division Sweden is necessarily better than USLD1. Maybe this new Technical Director can address this issue. We all know the CSA has no cash to start a new league but to blindly put faith in the American system seems kinda dangerous. Especially since the American system is having its share of problems (league wise).

[Richard]

First of all I do believe the CSA does all it can within reason to find playing opportunities for all identified elite playes, whether locally or overseas. Certainly that has been the case with the players with whom I have had any direct contact including my own son some years ago. Ultimately however where thay play depends upon which team is interested in them and where the player is willing and able to go. With Canada's FIFA ranking where it is, work permits become an issue for some players.

Secondly, what would you suggest the CSA do in the short to medium term other than rely on the established US based leagues for players unable or unwilling to play in second or third division European leagues which are very much blue collar, pretty low paying type operations? There is no real alternative.

[Danny Boy]

I'm not saying they shouldn't rely on US leagues. But they shouldn't rely solely on US leagues. I'm still trying to figure out if the CSA is putting all their eggs in one basket or even know that they have eggs at all.

If the CSA believes in the quality of the US leagues then maybe the whole amateur system needs to be re-jigged to funnel players in that direction. It's obvious that the top tier of players will make it into the big European leagues, but the second tier need to know they can get work and decent cash locally.

I guess from a National team perspective, it seems that the countries that do well are the one with a strong national league to develop some sort of style of play. MLS isn't the best league, but it's done wonders for the US team. Canada has no style whatsoever. We have talent, but they are not on the same page at all.

[Richard]

I think even if we did manage to create a domestic national league most of our best or top tier players would still seek to work in the more prestigious European leagues where they could get it, and even in the MLS unless somebody was willing to pour a whole pile of money into a domestic league and there has been no sign of any such person yet. In the absense of such a league in the foreseeable future, where would you have the CSA look to see first and second tier Canadian players plying their trade?

MLS has restrictions on the number of non-US citizen players on each team so current opportunities for Canadians in the MLS is limited. That problem would be eased if we had one or more Canadian based MLS teams I'm sure. I think the second tier players know full well that there are some work opportunities locally without any help from the CSA. Aside from the few who make it into MLS or are unwilling or unable to play in Europe for passport or work permit reasons, those opportunities are limited to the USLD1 clubs, most of whom don't really pay living wages to the bulk of their players.

I think this is probably one of the biggest reasons why you don't see more players seeking to play professionally in this country, only a very few can actually make a real living out of it. Many who might make the grade even if not at the highest level, look to different, better paying and more enduring career opportunities or play in the USLD1 for a short while for the experience then quit. If they continue to play it is as amateurs.

I really don't think this situation is unique to soccer either, it is a fundamental characteristic of professional sports.

[RealGooner]

The building of a new stadium in Montreal is a step in the right direction, it will be a boost to an already successful Impact program. There is growing evidence that a stadium will be built somewhere in Toronto for 2007, now that the CSA has decided to forgo working with unreliable partners and build a soccer-exclusive stadium. At minimum, it would be a better place for the Lynx and MNT to play in, and is a precondition for an MLS franchise. Canada will not prosper as a soccer-playing nation unless we have proper facilities.

[Danny Boy]

quote:Originally posted by RealGooner

Canada will not prosper as a soccer-playing nation unless we have proper facilities.

[RealGooner]

I'm not saying build-it and they will come, I am saying that development programs must go hand in hand with facilities, or development will not produce results.

[sj]

proper training facilities and training technics is more important than a stadium for development.

you need a properly developed product and use a nice stadium to showcase it

the product has to be attractive enough from the get go to generate a good fan base and sustain interest in the team high enough to develop further if not you will have to close shop in a hurry due to the quality being too poor.

[Chet]

quote:However like it or not, the MLS is the official North American First Division and USLD1 the official Second Division.

That's one of the most ridiculous statements I've ever heard.