CSL pushes for more ethnic teams

[Rocket Robin]

For Immediate Release

International soccer in Toronto – long term

TORONTO – Thursday, August 2 - With more than 200 countries adopting soccer as their main sport of interest it’s hard to consider the game as being purely a domestic pastime.

As a result of many positive international soccer developments in Toronto, not the least of which is the unparalleled success of the U-20 FIFA World Championships, the Canadian Soccer League is looking to aggressively expand its International Division.

With established franchises in the Italia, Portuguese, Croatian, African and Serbian communities, the CSL is specifically looking for franchises from the following groups:

• Greek

• Chinese

• Korean

• Indian

• Polish

• Hungarian

• German

• English

This list is by no means exclusive. The long-term vision for the International Conference of the Canadian Soccer League is to have at least 20 franchises with robust competition in the world’s most multicultural city.

The Canadian Soccer League launched its International Conference in 2006 following many enquiries over a number of years by ethnic teams wanting to play each other. Six teams have succeeded in meeting the CSL requirements for entry – five are playing in the 2007 competition. The sixth, and others, will be playing in 2008.

CSL Commissioner Cary Kaplan explained this week: “ While we are committed to international soccer, we want expansion to be measured and will follow a path of ensuring the teams are also committed for the long-term. Sharing that commitment will serve to develop what we believe is a concept that will play an important future role in the lives of many nationalities that make up Toronto’s still growing diverse community, and their love of the game of soccer.”

The CSL is Canada’s only professional soccer league with community teams in Ontario and Quebec. Plans are afoot for community expansion in central Canada and some provinces to the east and in western Canada, but the league’s International Conference expansion in the Toronto area will be given a lot of attention given the groundswell of interest by groups representing their country of origin.

Interested groups wishing to discuss the expanding Canadian Soccer League’s International Division and wanting to step into an international environment should call Tanya Ng Yuen or Stan Adamson at 905 856-5439 to arrange a meeting.

Canadian Soccer League

The Soccer Centre, 7601 Martin Grove Road, Vaughan, Ontario L4L 9E4

Tel: 905 856-5439 Fax: 905 856-9325 e-mail: csl@canadiansoccerleague.ca www.canadiansoccerleague.ca

[MM2]

I'm not a huge fan of teams representing Ethnic groups rather then communities, however it seems to be working for the CSL, with a bit of both worlds.

To me Montreal would be a ripe Market for a few ethnic based teams, rather then having an explosion of teams in Toronto.

It would also be great if Ottawa, Kingston and Sherbrooke joined the league to form a dividsion with Trois Rivieres and Quebec City.

[ted]

quote:the Canadian Soccer League is looking to aggressively expand its International Division.

What vision. What amazing commitment to the the growth of the sport!

Sure, the naysayers will point out that for over 100 years ethnic based teams have come and gone, propping up faltering leagues for a short time before themselves imploding due to internal conflicts or simply vanishing due to lack of interest.

I mean, just because every attempt to abuse the ethnic identity of immigrants has failed to produce a healthy professional league in Canada, the United States and Australia does not mean it won't work this time.

And certainly we can look forward to a spirit of friendly competition based on ethnic rivalrys. No one, I am certain, will be offended when "English" supporters burst into friendly songs such as "Ten German Bombers" at games against the "Krauts". And of course we know that an "African" team will be pleased to hear wonderful chants from the enlightened "Polish" supporters inspired by their heroes from "back home".

I could go on but perhaps that would be giving too much credit to the namby-pamby-liberal-granola crowd who do not understand how accepting and cooperative the growing and thriving ethnic communities of Canada can be.

Just look at how well the ethnic ties of Owen Hargreaves worked out for Canadian soccer. Why, if he had not refused all overtures from the Canadian program and played for England who knows what sort of confusion he might have inspired in Canadian Youth. Now the route is clear: play for your "homeland" while enjoying the social and economic benefits of living and training in Canada and you too could play football for a country you never lived in.

Ahhh, the success of the expanded international division will be a success for all of Canada!

Not!

[Eric]

Sounds like a good idea Cary, people in Ontario always supported ethnic soccer. The only ones that never did were the british. Hopefuly all those ethnic communities will bring pro players from other countries (other than britain) and we will be able to see good soccer in Ontario again, like we used to see in the 70's and 80's in the National Soccer League.

[JamesW]

I hate this ethnic crap we are getting from the CSL, what a joke.

Both Kitchener and Guelph have no pro soccer and all the CSL is trying to do is get more teams into Toronto? Yeah, what a great Canadian league they have going here.

And from what I have heard, the Trois-Rivieres Attak is drawing the most people, but oh no, we need more teams that target a small amount of people in a huge city. Go to Ottawa, heck, go any where but Toronto, please!

[L.T.]

You do understand that leagues don't assign teams to communities? Someone has to be willing to invest in a team for that community.

Unfortunately no one has come up with the cash and the business model to make semi-pro soccer work in Kitchener & Guelph (yet).

[CSL Commissioner]

All,

Good discussion.

The CSL's expansion plan is follows:

Current:

(a) expand in Southern Ontario to markets with great potential and no team. Hamilton, Kitchener, Guelph, Kingston are among the top candidates.

( expand in Quebec (and Eastern Ontario). Beyond Quebec City and Trois Rivieres; Laval, Sherbrooke, Hull, Ottawa, Cornwall are leading candidates.

© expand the intenational division in Toronto (see press release).

These items are all being done in concert.

Longer Term:

To expand East and West, ultimately establishing a number of geographically responsible divisions. This plan will take several years to unfold.

What is essential is that the league will only expand where solid ownership groups present themselves; and represent groups that support our plan.

As long as the vision continues, the CSL will make its mark as a strong league supporting the top tier franchises.

Thanks for the feedback,

Cary Kaplan

[DarnCherry]

quote:Originally posted by Eric

Sounds like a good idea Cary, people in Ontario always supported ethnic soccer. The only ones that never did were the british. Hopefuly all those ethnic communities will bring pro players from other countries (other than britain) and we will be able to see good soccer in Ontario again, like we used to see in the 70's and 80's in the National Soccer League.

English hating a-hole.

[Eric]

no hate here Kraphead, just facts and years of putting up with their unwillingness to get this sport to become pro in Canada unless they are running it. We have the proof in every province and latetly with our national program. We had a good coach in the senior team who was open to players styles and creativity but noooooo they had to bring in one that will always say YES SIR I'll do as you tell me sir so we all keep our job sir!!! no hate here just love for Canada that's all.

[JamesW]

quote:Originally posted by L.T.

You do understand that leagues don't assign teams to communities? Someone has to be willing to invest in a team for that community.

I agree, but I don't think that "expanding the international division in Toronto" will help get teams in communities.

[DarnCherry]

quote:Originally posted by Eric

no hate here Kraphead, just facts and years of putting up with their unwillingness to get this sport to become pro in Canada unless they are running it. We have the proof in every province and latetly with our national program. We had a good coach in the senior team who was open to players styles and creativity but noooooo they had to bring in one that will always say YES SIR I'll do as you tell me sir so we all keep our job sir!!! no hate here just love for Canada that's all.

[Eric]

quote:Originally posted by Krammerhead

HAHAHAHAHA I guess you're one of them Kraphead!!! or an ignorant brit.......

[DarnCherry]

:DI'm all settled down!:D

I just wanted to use that graphic!

[rick10]

what about the spanish comunity??.. I played in the spanisb league and there are lots of great players. Lots of CPSL players playing on the spanish liga.

[Rocket Robin]

I think MLS Toronto FC has the UK fans wrapped up. Coach and all five designated imports are from the UK? Chants and culture. Another UK team in Toronto besides them I don't think would work.

I remember leaving a CSL 'community' game with North York Astros at Esther Shiner Stadium and their 50 fans and coming into the stadium were 350 people to watch a Somalian league playoff game.

What if one of that league's players could make the Canadian National team? Not pull an Owen Hargreaves or Steve Vitoria (sp?) (guy who played for Portugal U-20). Where the choice is not about $$$ but just freedom. Like that current commercial with the Canadian U-20 goalie Asmir Begovic having to play indoors in his room to avoid the gunfire. Think he'd have joined the Bosnian national team?

[River City]

quote:Originally posted by ted

I mean, just because every attempt to abuse the ethnic identity of immigrants has failed to produce a healthy professional league in Canada, the United States and Australia does not mean it won't work this time.

If you were running the CSL, how would you grow the league?

[L.T.]

Ted may be a bit miffed because Toronto FC has taken the exact opposite approach to marketing that was proposed in the CUSL plan (that he had a hand in) and is succeeding beyond anyone's wildest dreams

There is more than one way to skin a cat...

[ted]

quote:Originally posted by L.T.

Ted may be a bit miffed because Toronto FC has taken the exact opposite approach to marketing that was proposed in the CUSL plan (that he had a hand in) and is succeeding beyond anyone's wildest dreams

See, once again someone decides to re-write history and interpret what they think I have written in a totally backwards fashion.

What I actually said was that an MLS team in Toronto would retard the chances for development of a national league to the point of non-viability for years to come. I said I believed that the money spent on buying and creating an MLS team could have funded a national league of 8-10 teams.

Nowhere, not once, did I ever suggest an MLS team in T.O. would not be successful. If you look at every post I have ever written I have consistently assumed an MLS team WOULD work and that it would be a financial success, monopolizing the media coverage and sponsorship dollars of soccer in Canada.

If anything, the success of TFC has proven me right. My local Victoria paper carries MLS results and stats which it never did before. I see MLS on TV all the time when just a year ago all I could watch was the All-star game and maybe the Championship game on ABC. As for sponsorships, well I don't know the numbers but they seem to have a lot of big brands on board like BMO and Addidas.

And just to clear the air, I watched the game on the weekend and thought about how I would love to be in that crowd of Red Patch Boys/U-Sector supporters. The atmosphere must be insane and I am glad you guys are having such fun. I have seen the Barra Bravas and other supporters make noise, but in cavernous NFL stadiums that made it look small. BMO Field looks great - even if it has field turf.

I still think a national league would have been better for development of Canadian players and I did notice on the broadcast on the weekend that they were making as big deal that TFC had six Canadians (only six!!!) starting which had NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE and was only happening because of injuries.

That said, the national league idea has sailed. That ship left the dock the day MLSE signed the papers to buy an MLS franchise.

[ted]

quote:Originally posted by River City

If you were running the CSL, how would you grow the league?

I wouldn't. What is the point? I don't believe that growth for the sake of growth is a good thing. That was one of the failures of several leagues, most notably the NASL. Most leagues that insist on so much expansion are addicted to the money they receive from expansion fees to keep operating. I hope the CSL has not become that sort of pyramid scheme.

They have declared themselves to be something they are not and taken the stance that all other leagues are inferior. They are a regional league like the Pacific Coast League yet they like to pretend they are the centre of the soccer universe in Canada.

If we want to develop soccer in Canada starting from where we are today we need to work on more USL Div1 teams and revive the ideas for an "Open Cup" competition that would pit MLS and USL Div 1 teams in a national knockout competition. Allowing CSL, PCSL and other regional leagues to enter the first round(s) of the cup competition and letting the pros enter after a round or two would improve the situation for the regional leagues teams.

The CSL should stop worrying about expansion and focus on improving the quality of their product making it more attractive to spectators and sponsors.

[River City]

Ted,

if you look back at my posts through the years, I've always supported the idea that a national league is necessary for the development of the game as well as future MNT players.

I agree with you that the CSL, like the PCSL is a regional league. But, there are some important differences.

1) The CSL doesn't rely on college kids like the PCSL does and are able to play on past July

2) The CSL isn't happy to just be a regional league

They are trying to grow to become national. Since the MLS will dominate the media and the sponsorship money, all the CSL can hope to become is a second division league with provincial divisions setup across the country. I love the fact that they are trying to achieve this. Whether or not they will succeed remains to be seen, but at least they are actively pursuing this rather than waiting for USL teams to pop up around the country.

Having never seen a game, I can't say how good the quality of the product is, but since they are able to get 1,000 people turning up for games (even if it's only a few games) is a positive step. Slagging them for their efforts makes as much sense as slagging the PCSL for not trying to develop itself into something bigger.

[L.T.]

Ted, that wasn't meant as a slight to you or anything you've said on this forum. Recently I re-read the CUSL proposal to get some ideas for other ventures and noticed how polar opposite it seemed to the strategy being employed very successfully by MLSE with TFC.

[Eric]

The CSL should stop worrying about expansion and focus on improving the quality of their product making it more attractive to spectators and sponsors.

[Richard]

With the cost of a franchise being what it is relative to what I understand the typical paid attendance is at CSL games I don't see the CSL as an very appropriate model to spread across the country which Mr. Kaplan keeps telling us is their long term objective. They need to prove it can be a financial success in their core market first, which they have yet to do.

[L.T.]

Richard, it may be time to re-evaluate your stock anser to these discussions. The CSL franchise fee is the same as the USL charges for a PDL team - with a season twice as long and with a lot less travel.

By all accounts the Impact investigated other alternatives (including the USL) and determined this was the best fit. As well, there will be at least 1-2 more teams added next year. They can't all be drinking the Kaplan Kool-Aid...

[ted]

quote:Originally posted by L.T.

Ted, that wasn't meant as a slight to you or anything you've said on this forum.

Sorry [:I] I guess I am still a little over-sensitive. I have not posted a lot on this forum in the last couple of years in part because of certain people repeatedly twisting my words.

quote:Recently I re-read the CUSL proposal to get some ideas for other ventures and noticed how polar opposite it seemed to the strategy being employed very successfully by MLSE with TFC.

I guess what upset me is that you used the word "marketing" but the difference between the CUSL plan and what MLSE is doing is not in the marketing.

The CUSL plan was a way to create a league while MLSE just has to operate a franchise. Always an easier proposition and one that I don't think I ever suggested would not be successful.

Back to the CSL, if they learned from what MLSE is doing in the marketing department then they would be better off than pursuing "ethnic" teams for the reasons I suggested above.

Anyone proposing to use "ethnic" teams to create or shore-up their league had better be operating at the recreational/amateur level. It has not and will not work in a professional league in the long term and it makes me sick to think that the CSL is so unaware of the history of the game in North America that they have not learned this lesson.

I really do wish them all the best and if they could someday be part of a national league that would be fantastic, but they are not headed that way right now.