DigzTFC

Atiba Hutchinson "Honestly, this is what I've always wanted for this country"
Me too, Atiba...me too
Vamos/Forza/Allez/Let's Go!

Atiba Hutchinson "Honestly, this is what I've always wanted for this country"
Me too, Atiba...me too
Vamos/Forza/Allez/Let's Go!

Atiba Hutchinson "Honestly, this is what I've always wanted for this country"
Me too, Atiba...me too
Vamos/Forza/Allez/Let's Go!

Atiba Hutchinson "Honestly, this is what I've always wanted for this country"
Me too, Atiba...me too
Vamos/Forza/Allez/Let's Go!

Atiba Hutchinson "Honestly, this is what I've always wanted for this country"
Me too, Atiba...me too
Vamos/Forza/Allez/Let's Go!

Atiba Hutchinson "Honestly, this is what I've always wanted for this country"
Me too, Atiba...me too
Vamos/Forza/Allez/Let's Go!

Atiba Hutchinson "Honestly, this is what I've always wanted for this country"
Me too, Atiba...me too
Vamos/Forza/Allez/Let's Go!

Long time lurker. I am from Turkey, live in Canada, and am connected to Fenerbahce in various ways at the board level.
Update on Ferdi Kadioglu:
- The front runner is Turkey and there is a lot of pressure being put on him since he is playing there. I have seen some links that were posted here about him not having Turkish citizenship, but he has acquired it and has had it for over a year now. Unfortunately Turkish media is just littered with poor journalism and has no integrity. 
- He obviously wants to play for the Netherlands, but cracking that line-up is difficult so it doesn't sound in play at the moment.
- Canada is being considered, but the odds are quite low this 10 seconds. Keep in mind, Canada has two things going for them. A huge influx of talent in recent years, and automatic qualification of the World Cup in 2026. 
Considering Turkey struggles to qualify for major tournaments on a consistent basis, and the Netherlands has a lot of barriers for him to break the line-up... Canada is definitely not a 0% chance.
Canada is my home, I've coached here for years and see a promising shift to the sport. I do agree with some of the comments above, I don't think anybody should be groveling for any players services, especially if they haven't chosen said nation earlier on. Unfortunately, this sort of baggage comes with talented players that hold multiple citizenship's. Personally, if I were Ferdi, I would choose Canada. You can be part of their up and coming golden generation and a darling dark horse that will certainly be a story in the 2026 World Cup. In parallel, by then he'll be in the prime of his career.
 

I watched the entire game.  The standouts were Kaye, Miller, Buchanon, Crepeau, Johnstone, Laryea, Osorio.
I was stunned how good Miller and Crepeau were. I've been anticipating Buchanon's arrival since the Olympic qualifiers and he delivered.
I'm starting to rethink how good a league MLS is.  Is it possible that MLS is actually producing European quality players at young ages and I've been hung up on the perception of MLS 3-5 years ago?    All the guys above will start getting calls if not already from European clubs.  I mean Crepeau had one of the best games a keeper could have against a top team in the world.

Miller and Buchanan were the revelations of the tournament.  Miller distribution is world class. 

Miller and Buchanan were the revelations of the tournament.  Miller distribution is world class. 

Miller and Buchanan were the revelations of the tournament.  Miller distribution is world class. 

Miller and Buchanan were the revelations of the tournament.  Miller distribution is world class. 

I watched the entire game.  The standouts were Kaye, Miller, Buchanon, Crepeau, Johnstone, Laryea, Osorio.
I was stunned how good Miller and Crepeau were. I've been anticipating Buchanon's arrival since the Olympic qualifiers and he delivered.
I'm starting to rethink how good a league MLS is.  Is it possible that MLS is actually producing European quality players at young ages and I've been hung up on the perception of MLS 3-5 years ago?    All the guys above will start getting calls if not already from European clubs.  I mean Crepeau had one of the best games a keeper could have against a top team in the world.

There was a moment during the TFC vs. Orlando where Akinola and Akindele hi-dived and hugged.  Akindele was in the additional squad roster.  I'm really happy for Ayo! Herdman letting players has done wonders attracting players to the program in subtle ways.
Also, TFC system doesn't work to Ayo's strengths at the moment.  The press has been sloppy and the attack is too compressed.  When he plays on Canada and has way better service from the wings and better build up play from the midfield you may see him break out a little with more space to operate.

This is very positive!  Congrats to Amanda!

This is very positive!  Congrats to Amanda!

This is very positive!  Congrats to Amanda!

It stands to reason that few investors would be willing to pay a $10M entry fee to the league without certainty that they can generate gate revenue.  Most entrepreneurs are trying to hold on to their companies and assets and employees right now.  Starting a company that is built around attendance is not palatable be it a restaurant, coffee shop, amusement park, mall or a sports team.
The league may have to get creative on financing the entry fee to advance expansion in 2022 like amortizing the fee over 5 years.  For the reasons listed above, the more national coverage and markets the league is in, just like any business, it will benefit from scaling, driving down costs and access a broader base of national advertisers.
It's also possible that the contract with OneSoccer includes a clause mandating the expansion of the league over the term of the contract (10 years I think).  Now, that contract is arguably in a Force Majeure like every contract on the planet but it wouldn't surprise me if the league is more than "motivated" and has contractual obligations to expand.  Most likely, those expansion fees are how the initial equity capital will be repaid and a dividend will be paid out based on growing league revenues (TV, ads etc.).  Therefore, it's hard to envision how the entry fee is waived or reduced.  
IMO, this is a long term play for investors muddied by the pandemic and we are so lucky that all 8 teams continue to operate.  It wasn't too long ago that some, not all, on this forum were talking about how the league was "pie in the sky" and would question who would have deep enough pockets to run a team.....well, it could not have been worse operating conditions for the 2nd and potentially the 3rd year of the league. 
10 years from now, I hope people can look back on this period with objectivity and see how amazing owners like Bob Young are.  The CPL is special.  It will get even better with time. It will surpass the CFL as it is way more accessible with affordable stadia requirements and can be accessed by a lot more markets.
Players should be paid more and Duane, the players and the union have a right to point that out.  I want the standard of the league to be even better to produce players sold abroad every year.  Frankly, I don't see much point in watching a 30+ year old Kyle Bekker take playing time away from someone who could develop into an even better player for the National Team Program.
Look at $40k as a floor for what it is.  If you take a 23 player roster with a floor of $40k you get $920,000.
Assuming you have stars, internationals and veteran players who want more than that, you're probably looking at $1.2 M for 23 players roster not including club admin and overhead.  So, Marcel De Jong is quietly asking for the salary cap of $500k to nearly triple.  Marcel, correctly from the player's viewpoint, framed it for fans to digest and support the union.
These base salaries are also above what most individual Canadian's are paid for a full year of work (CPL 5-ish month off-season).
https://careers.workopolis.com/advice/how-much-canadians-are-earning-by-province/
After tax income, unattached individuals
Canada: $27,300 Newfoundland and Labrador: $22,100 Prince Edward Island: $23,300 Nova Scotia: $26,300 New Brunswick: $23,200 Quebec: $26,200 Ontario: $26,600 Manitoba: $27,400 Saskatchewan: $32,000 Alberta: $36,500 British Columbia: $25,200 So, if this is a gate driven league, assuming 5,000 seats at each stadium with $30 tickets with 14 home games results in $2.1 M in gate revenue.   Less $1.2 in salaries = $900,000 then comes the overhead, event rentals, admin, TRAVEL, taxes etc.  For sure, clubs would lose money.  Travel alone would be around $400 k for flight, accommodations, food, transport etc.   And yes, let's assume the $10 M entry fee is still around.....you have to be selling a lot jerseys, selling a lot of beer in a packed stadium and selling players for hefty transfer fees to break even.
Then it becomes a question if people are willing to pay $40 or $50 a ticket instead of $30.  Do people want to pay $15 a beer? Do people want to watch York United for the same cost as TFC? etc.
The league needs more advertiser and higher gate revenue to substantiate increasing player salaries.  Something that has been slowed by the pandemic and is probably 3-4 years off from realization.
There is the emotive side of the discussion and there is the proforma side of a discussion.  I understand both view points and the sentiment people are being left behind in wages and not being paid what they are worth. 
If someone is more familiar with the P/L of a club please share.

It stands to reason that few investors would be willing to pay a $10M entry fee to the league without certainty that they can generate gate revenue.  Most entrepreneurs are trying to hold on to their companies and assets and employees right now.  Starting a company that is built around attendance is not palatable be it a restaurant, coffee shop, amusement park, mall or a sports team.
The league may have to get creative on financing the entry fee to advance expansion in 2022 like amortizing the fee over 5 years.  For the reasons listed above, the more national coverage and markets the league is in, just like any business, it will benefit from scaling, driving down costs and access a broader base of national advertisers.
It's also possible that the contract with OneSoccer includes a clause mandating the expansion of the league over the term of the contract (10 years I think).  Now, that contract is arguably in a Force Majeure like every contract on the planet but it wouldn't surprise me if the league is more than "motivated" and has contractual obligations to expand.  Most likely, those expansion fees are how the initial equity capital will be repaid and a dividend will be paid out based on growing league revenues (TV, ads etc.).  Therefore, it's hard to envision how the entry fee is waived or reduced.  
IMO, this is a long term play for investors muddied by the pandemic and we are so lucky that all 8 teams continue to operate.  It wasn't too long ago that some, not all, on this forum were talking about how the league was "pie in the sky" and would question who would have deep enough pockets to run a team.....well, it could not have been worse operating conditions for the 2nd and potentially the 3rd year of the league. 
10 years from now, I hope people can look back on this period with objectivity and see how amazing owners like Bob Young are.  The CPL is special.  It will get even better with time. It will surpass the CFL as it is way more accessible with affordable stadia requirements and can be accessed by a lot more markets.
Players should be paid more and Duane, the players and the union have a right to point that out.  I want the standard of the league to be even better to produce players sold abroad every year.  Frankly, I don't see much point in watching a 30+ year old Kyle Bekker take playing time away from someone who could develop into an even better player for the National Team Program.
Look at $40k as a floor for what it is.  If you take a 23 player roster with a floor of $40k you get $920,000.
Assuming you have stars, internationals and veteran players who want more than that, you're probably looking at $1.2 M for 23 players roster not including club admin and overhead.  So, Marcel De Jong is quietly asking for the salary cap of $500k to nearly triple.  Marcel, correctly from the player's viewpoint, framed it for fans to digest and support the union.
These base salaries are also above what most individual Canadian's are paid for a full year of work (CPL 5-ish month off-season).
https://careers.workopolis.com/advice/how-much-canadians-are-earning-by-province/
After tax income, unattached individuals
Canada: $27,300 Newfoundland and Labrador: $22,100 Prince Edward Island: $23,300 Nova Scotia: $26,300 New Brunswick: $23,200 Quebec: $26,200 Ontario: $26,600 Manitoba: $27,400 Saskatchewan: $32,000 Alberta: $36,500 British Columbia: $25,200 So, if this is a gate driven league, assuming 5,000 seats at each stadium with $30 tickets with 14 home games results in $2.1 M in gate revenue.   Less $1.2 in salaries = $900,000 then comes the overhead, event rentals, admin, TRAVEL, taxes etc.  For sure, clubs would lose money.  Travel alone would be around $400 k for flight, accommodations, food, transport etc.   And yes, let's assume the $10 M entry fee is still around.....you have to be selling a lot jerseys, selling a lot of beer in a packed stadium and selling players for hefty transfer fees to break even.
Then it becomes a question if people are willing to pay $40 or $50 a ticket instead of $30.  Do people want to pay $15 a beer? Do people want to watch York United for the same cost as TFC? etc.
The league needs more advertiser and higher gate revenue to substantiate increasing player salaries.  Something that has been slowed by the pandemic and is probably 3-4 years off from realization.
There is the emotive side of the discussion and there is the proforma side of a discussion.  I understand both view points and the sentiment people are being left behind in wages and not being paid what they are worth. 
If someone is more familiar with the P/L of a club please share.

I don't think Zambrano can be outright dismissed in his commentary.  He clearly has an ego but you would expect that out of a coach.
He's harped on the pay for play system.  He stated in the article that we need to tap into "immigrants" and the pay for play system doesn't allow for that.  To a degree that could be true.  I think soccer is affordable to play and Canada offers good soccer infrastructure but lacks quality amateur coaches.  I would argue that most of our players are 1st generation immigrants.
I can see how he met resistance.  He wants soccer to be free without the pro teams to subsidize it.  He went on recruiting trips to visit everyone.  He also didn't really want to report to anyone or respect any of the coaches within the system (he wanted fire Gale).
Bottom line, Zambrano's solutions of eliminating pay for play across the country is a non-starter and would destroy the amateur soccer pyramid without a realistic solution.   You can argue whether it's good or bad but it cannot be done without pro teams offering transfer fees for players in volume.  It also not an item to focus on as a head coach IMO.
He resume also shows he only lasts 1-2 years in any coaching role.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octavio_Zambrano
 

I don't think Zambrano can be outright dismissed in his commentary.  He clearly has an ego but you would expect that out of a coach.
He's harped on the pay for play system.  He stated in the article that we need to tap into "immigrants" and the pay for play system doesn't allow for that.  To a degree that could be true.  I think soccer is affordable to play and Canada offers good soccer infrastructure but lacks quality amateur coaches.  I would argue that most of our players are 1st generation immigrants.
I can see how he met resistance.  He wants soccer to be free without the pro teams to subsidize it.  He went on recruiting trips to visit everyone.  He also didn't really want to report to anyone or respect any of the coaches within the system (he wanted fire Gale).
Bottom line, Zambrano's solutions of eliminating pay for play across the country is a non-starter and would destroy the amateur soccer pyramid without a realistic solution.   You can argue whether it's good or bad but it cannot be done without pro teams offering transfer fees for players in volume.  It also not an item to focus on as a head coach IMO.
He resume also shows he only lasts 1-2 years in any coaching role.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octavio_Zambrano
 

I don't think Zambrano can be outright dismissed in his commentary.  He clearly has an ego but you would expect that out of a coach.
He's harped on the pay for play system.  He stated in the article that we need to tap into "immigrants" and the pay for play system doesn't allow for that.  To a degree that could be true.  I think soccer is affordable to play and Canada offers good soccer infrastructure but lacks quality amateur coaches.  I would argue that most of our players are 1st generation immigrants.
I can see how he met resistance.  He wants soccer to be free without the pro teams to subsidize it.  He went on recruiting trips to visit everyone.  He also didn't really want to report to anyone or respect any of the coaches within the system (he wanted fire Gale).
Bottom line, Zambrano's solutions of eliminating pay for play across the country is a non-starter and would destroy the amateur soccer pyramid without a realistic solution.   You can argue whether it's good or bad but it cannot be done without pro teams offering transfer fees for players in volume.  It also not an item to focus on as a head coach IMO.
He resume also shows he only lasts 1-2 years in any coaching role.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octavio_Zambrano
 

Not sure why all the criticism.  Not many CBs are as fast as forwards.  Plain and simple.  TFC were playing a high block with a compressed formation.  The errors on the first two goals occurred further up field from Auro who had a nightmare game and then went on to badly miss a called back penalty.  Look how far Auro was from the CB.  He's a left back.  Maybe the worst game from a player I've seen in a long time.  Bono also has to have the near post covered that's really unprofessional on the second goal.  Singh cut down the angle for the shot which is all you can ask.  On the last goal Gonzalez got caught flat footed and Singh stayed with his man.  I mean how many times did Gonzalez leave Singh to do 1v1 defending against multiple players? Quite a few.
This loss is on the coach really.  Armas was caught between two minds.  Do you reward the guys who put in a shift as a new coach or do you instantly rotate and how does that motivate players to work hard?  If Armas was in game 5 you rotate.  If you are setting the culture, which he still is, you reward the guys.  He did.  They were tired.  He also stuck to the press despite it being broken quite easily but he is still ramping up the team to his style of play.  I think he was far too slow on the substitutions and should have adjusted the press after the second goal.
Issues that presented itself in this game were different than against Leon.  TFC weren't taller and bigger than Monteal like they were against Leon.  Free kicks were more of a problem such as the third goal header over Bradley.  Also, Bradley should NEVER take free kicks. He's terrible at it.  But when Osorio, Pozuelo, Altidore are out....that's what you get.
This game is a much different game if Shaffelburg scores on the breakaway chip and Bradley scores on the six yard sitter.  Montreal scored on the first shot and maybe the fourth shot.  They were absolutely clinical on their chances and TFC were not. Goals change the dynamics of games and the press was scored on early and the chances TFC had were squandered.  
I actually thought Singh was good given how the game was played.

He's very good for his age and making plays beyond his years.  Very impressed by him.  What a player! The transition from defense to offense is quick and with purpose.  Once he sync's up with better players or the team understands one another better to make the correct runs off the ball he will really shine.  Sometimes an errant pass is someone making the wrong run off the ball making the passer look silly.