Expectations exceeded

[lazlo_80 262]

There's a billion threads dedicated to attendance or Ottawa fury blah blah blah

but as far as on the field perfomance goes it's hard not to think this league has delivered and then some. If someone told me before this thing started that they'd beat MLS competition and advance in Concacaf League in the FIRST YEAR I would've been blown away.

No matter what happens the rest of the season, my expectations have already been exceeded by the level of play from this newborn league.

[Ams1984 949]

10 minutes ago, lazlo_80 said:

There's a billion threads dedicated to attendance or Ottawa fury blah blah blah

but as far as on the field perfomance goes it's hard not to think this league has delivered and then some. If someone told me before this thing started that they'd beat MLS competition and advance in Concacaf League in the FIRST YEAR I would've been blown away.

No matter what happens the rest of the season, my expectations have already been exceeded by the level of play from this newborn league.

Agreed. I’m very pleased with how things are coming along, and I feel a good deal of optimism about the future of this league.

[youllneverwalkalone 976]

I broke my ankle playing hockey earlier in the summer and my wife got me a copy of Malcolm Gladwell's David & Goliath to try to keep from getting too depressed. It talks about how perceived advantages sometimes turn out to be disadvantages, and vice-versa. It's been said before, but I feel like the lack of a professional landscape in Canada has just meant the amateur game is played at a really high level. It's made the transition quite seamless -something we probably should have been able to predict, although the overall play has pleasantly caught me by surprise.

[Ozzie_the_parrot 1,231]

The first factor is definitely that the top elite amateur teams in Canada are comparable in playing standards to very high level semi-pro teams in Europe even though many/most dismiss that level of the sport as "beer league". There has been plenty of good soccer happening in Canada for many decades, but most have been completely oblivious to it because a lot of it happened in a first generation immigrant ghetto. 

The second factor is that the three MLS academies have been churning out more pro level players than they could ever hope to accommodate on their MLS rosters. Now that they haven't gone crazy financially on player salaries in an FCE and Fury in the NASL sort of way, fingers crossed that the 2500-4500 paid as opposed to announced sort of range is enough to keep the bean counters happy.

As for CONCACAF competition, it's probably worth bearing in mind what the Impact were able to do before they entered MLS:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008–09_CONCACAF_Champions_League

Edited August 10, 2019 by Ozzie_the_parrot

[grasshopper1917 883]

Finally a rare time we all seem to agree on something  lol

Yes I think we all have been pleased with the quality of play so far - the games are very fun to watch (for the most part) and pleasant to the eye.

[Aird25 885]

Semi-pro.. squawk...beer league...squawk... low attendance.. squawk... conservative salaries... squaaawk. Would someone please teach Ozzie the Parrot some new words.

[Ozzie_the_parrot 1,231]

Well that certainly reminded me why I put Aird25 on ignore. Truly was bizarre how many people on here went into overwrought hysterics over somebody pointing out that the league's low cap was going to be a good thing that would help the league survive. There's nothing wrong with semi-pro or elite amateur soccer. Try watching some of it occasionally and you'll soon realize that Canada has always had some reasonably high quality soccer.

Edited August 10, 2019 by Ozzie_the_parrot

[Bison44 5,403]

Lets play the drinking game, get your glasses ready.................Hysterics.....time to drink.  Now all we need is "i took alot of flak".  

[longlugan 329]

Never got an answer to whether Ozzie the Blizzard has been to a CanPL game yet but he's telling us what to watch...hmmm

[Ozzie_the_parrot 1,231]

Or maybe some people on here could concede that they were wrong about the implications of having a relatively salary cap and resolve to listen more respectfully to other people's perspectives in future? After all a discussion forum should be about doing that sort of thing rather than behaving like a bunch of arrested adolescents with the frankly pathetic personal abuse that often disfigures this forum. 

[dyslexic nam 8,532]

[Scottie 123]

Ignoring the petty stuff that finds it's way into every gd thread in this sub forum...

 

I am beyond thrilled to have this league and a hometown team. I've always been a fan of the sport but never really had a club to get attached to, now that has changed. Despite the location and some ticket price issues, I think Spruce Meadows is a fantastic venue for soccer and I am loving how the city is slowly but surely gaining interest and embracing this team.

 

Up the Cavalry!

[Bison44 5,403]

Holy crap, the thread about how happy we are with the way the league is going instantly turns into a self centered, somebody better acknowledge "i was right about everything".  News flash, you dont have to make every thread about what you said 3 years ago, and what you imagine other people said.  And as for abuse, I dont think it was Aird et al that forced so many posters off this board.  I still find it hilarious that you still quote shermanator on here.  

 

[Aird25 885]

21 minutes ago, Bison44 said:

Holy crap, the thread about how happy we are with the way the league is going instantly turns into a self centered, somebody better acknowledge "i was right about everything".  News flash, you dont have to make every thread about what you said 3 years ago, and what you imagine other people said. 

This was all I was trying to say in my poor attempt at humour. It’s always the same conversation 

[Cheeta 1,531]

Couple of things. 

As tough a start as Valour has had CPL has already had the desired effect of encouraging the youngest players.  Not in the loop at all but I still talk to a few people who are and Tyler Attardo getting minutes, mostly not being overwhelmed in the league, and making a few bucks in the effort has not unnoticed gone.  I'm sure there is a similar experience happening in all the CPL cities.  Year 1 and already mission accomplished on that front. 

Its been a rough launch.  League is/was poorly marketed but that's improving.  Teams started from scratch and it shows both on and off the field.  Everyone is going to have a much better idea going into 2020 what they have when it comes to talent, budget, and responsabilities.  And while you never know, lots of things come into play every year but I think next season we're going to experience positive attendance growth in all the markets. 

And...

We should have a pool!  We know the salary cap is south of $1M but I'm having a hard time finding a way to get it much below $900K.  Just looking at Valour's roster and guestimating of course, but yeah, tough getting it down.  And I've got MOST of their roster making $40K or less a year.    

[Ansem 7,413]

I'm so sorry but the trolling has to stop. It's turning off people 

@admin

 

Edited August 10, 2019 by Ansem

[jonovision 710]

To throw just a bit of cold water on this party, let me humbly suggest that the level of officiating in Canada has some catching up to do to catch up with the rather decent standard of play we've seen in most games.

[Winnipeg Fury 846]

 

First year CPL has exceeded my expectations.

When CSL kicked off in 1987, the quality of the league exceeded general expectations.  CPL is superior.  In fact, I would put first year CPL quality, at on-par with first year MLS.

 

 

[lazlo_80 262]

Very interested to see what the impact in 5 years is.

how many players involved in the CMNT.

Other leagues players who started in the CPL end up.

Think about a kid like Borges now having the experience of travel, the reffing and style of play in central america. We have legions of young talent experiencing that in a non CMNT setting whereas before players weren't seeing that until they were suiting up for a do or die game in a world cup qualifier.

There are so many positives to this league i frankly never considered until it came to fruition.

[dyslexic nam 8,532]

8 hours ago, lazlo_80 said:

Very interested to see what the impact in 5 years is.

how many players involved in the CMNT.

Other leagues players who started in the CPL end up.

Think about a kid like Borges now having the experience of travel, the reffing and style of play in central america. We have legions of young talent experiencing that in a non CMNT setting whereas before players weren't seeing that until they were suiting up for a do or die game in a world cup qualifier.

There are so many positives to this league i frankly never considered until it came to fruition.

The other aspect I am really excited about are the signings like Pepple by Cavalry.  A really young kid who will get his first pro minutes at the age of 16 and be exposed to competition that will (hopefully) really push his development.  

[gator 2,174]

Like most on here I think the league has far exceeded my expectations for on field product, most games I have watched and I have watched many, not just my hometown Forge, have been entertaining with some really good football played, there has really only been a couple of lopsided scores which for a new league starting from scratch is frankly shocking! The results vs MLS sides and Forge advancing in CONCACAF have supported our opinions I believe, I do agree with @jonovision that some of the reffing needs to catch up but that should happen and it isn't surprising given the refs probably had less chance than the players to advance their skills before now! It's hard for me to compare this with the old CSL, that was so long ago, I liked that league also, the franchises and ownership groups were just not stable enough!

[Shortdutchcanuck 1,460]

I commented to my wife at the Forge home opener how solid the quality was.  I remember being both massively excited and massively nervous about the inaugural season as it grew closer and closer.  Now I have no concerns about quality and have enjoyed both home games and OneSoccer viewings.  OneSoccer has had a few hiccups but mostly provided quality production and value for my money.  The league has some issues about communication with things like disciplinary issues but on the whole seems well-run and solid.

I also like how even though we wished more vets had come home (Ricketts, Straith, Hume, Jackson) a lot of the quality of the league has come from young Canadians rising to the opportunity.

A few issues still haunt my dreams: York9 attendance (as well as FC Edmonton and Pacific) and the lack of an announcement of an eighth team.  I will sleep so much better once we hit 8, and like a baby when we reach 10.

[Bison44 5,403]

I think there are a few other positives that arent getting much exposure.  The refs are mainly CDN.  Its been tough to watch a few times, but not much more than your average MLS game.  How important is it that we are bringing that aspect (refs) of the game in Canada up a notch?  Also the CDN coaches.  I know Hart and Gale are known entities, but  Wheedon and Bobby S have been very good.  If it continues like this after Herdman we might have several homegrown CPL canidates who could be in the conversation for the CMNT. 

There have been some goofs that should be worked out if not this season next.  Pricing...I think most teams have been fiddling with that, this section is empty because of overpricing etc.  Marketing, advertising etc.  Preseason in WPG it was almost non existant, next year maybe they'll get a little more of a push.  The venues....next year halifax should be able to expand a bit without losing the homy feel.  I'm sure having another 500-1000 paying customers would please the ownership.  And with more time, Calgary/York  will be able to tweek their set up and Pacific will have that Hydro pole out of the way.  And if we still have an unbalanced schedule with no 8th team that will be a very big lost opportunity.  But overall about 90% of the bad things I was afraid of happening, havnt happened.  

[Aird25 885]

I'll be honest, Pacific have come nowhere near my expectations. I don't know if it's an unwillingness to spend or money spent poorly, but they can barely cobble together a lineup most games and young players are constantly forced into playing other positions. It's madness, and I'm having a harder and harder time convincing friends that this is a professional team. This is not meant as a knock on the quality of the player. The talent is there, but too much is being asked of the players

[Macksam 1,687]

22 hours ago, Winnipeg Fury said:

 

First year CPL has exceeded my expectations.

When CSL kicked off in 1987, the quality of the league exceeded general expectations.  CPL is superior.  In fact, I would put first year CPL quality, at on-par with first year MLS.

 

 

I don't know how great MLS quality was prior to TFC but I remember TFC's first season back in 2007 and how awful the soccer was, how the team couldn't even string together 3 passes on a consistent basis, how closed off the overall soccer was along with the lack of creativity that was even displayed by the other MLS sides.

Even though I was fairly confident the quality was going to be great, I was still blown away over that first CPL game at Tim Horton's Field and how none of the bad tropes from my memories of 2007 MLS were present.

Edited August 11, 2019 by Macksam