Other MLS details

[mlsintoronto]

It seems that all this board is worried about at this time are things (admitedly important things) like
-What colour are the kits
-What is the name
-Hows the stadium...

I'm interested in your thoughts about...
-the overall competetiveness of the league - and its direction
-the viability of the league (4 / 12 teams in soccer specific stadia, 3 in progress, 2 more starting up, expansion, tv deal, etc)
-a mostly Canadian roster...if Canada makes significant strides, what would happen to our team during international play outside MLS? Currently each MLS team loses 1-4 players, and all is not lost, but in Canada...?
-supporters clubs - if this thing is going to have the atmosphere we all would like, someone is going to have to take the first steps...volunteers?

Discuss away!:)

[352gialloblu]

I'm interested in your thoughts about...
-the overall competetiveness of the league - and its direction
-the viability of the league (4 / 12 teams in soccer specific stadia, 3 in progress, 2 more starting up, expansion, tv deal, etc)
-a mostly Canadian roster...if Canada makes significant strides, what would happen to our team during international play outside MLS? Currently each MLS team loses 1-4 players, and all is not lost, but in Canada...?
-supporters clubs - if this thing is going to have the atmosphere we all would like, someone is going to have to take the first steps...volunteers?

Discuss away!:)
-good, very good.
-good, the league is here to stay.
-good for canada, maybe...but hard for the team
-supporters clubs will come in time. RSL did a great job getting on the ball right away, so look to them as a good example. And on the other hand some long-time MLS teams haven't really caught on yet...

[Captain Canuck]

The third meeting for the supporters group is tomorrow (22nd) at 2pm at the Duke of York on Bedford St. in Toronto. For some reason the threads for the other two that Real Gooner started aren't in this part of the forum anymore.

So I hope that answers that question. :) Anyone interested in supporting the team is welcome to come.

[Rahbiefowlah]

I think the construction of the roster will be interesting. I am curious to see what kind of Canadian players will be brought back from europe, if any. I think how Toronto handles the draft will also be a key to their long-term success. They have the potential to build a very successful club if they can get players like Stalteri, De Guzman, Radzinski, etc. That may be asking a lot.

[Captain Canuck]

There's no way that Stalteri or either De Guzman are coming back to Toronto to play in MLS, at least not for some time. Radzinski, because he's now entering the twilight of his career, is a possibility.

You may see a few players in Europe who are from the Toronto area who are struggling for regular playing time in the UK come back (still-young Maycoll Canizalez, stuck with the Hanover 96 reserves and Jim Brennan who doesn't start regularly for Norwich comes to mind, possibly Rhian Dodds of Kilmarnock), some of the Scandinavian based players that aren't with top clubs there (Chris Pozniak being a prime example, perhaps also Marco Reda) are also good possibilities, maybe even Ante Jazic (though he's not from Toronto).

[zacRWE]

well, as far as getting Stalteri, there is no way he is leaving Spurs/Europe. But I think the team will go with some young canadians... potentially a good base built by the u-20 national team that will be participating in the WYC. I guess I could see Dero comming in, possibly a crop from the USL, Dodds, Braz, Pizzolito, Jordan, Franks etc. I could also see maybe a player like Gyaki or Peters playing for MLS Toronto.
But I think we will also have some American/Latin players on the squad. Im not sure who though.

[Blizzard]

The third meeting for the supporters group is tomorrow (22nd) at 2pm at the Duke of York on Bedford St. in Toronto. For some reason the threads for the other two that Real Gooner started aren't in this part of the forum anymore.

So I hope that answers that question. :) Anyone interested in supporting the team is welcome to come.

Have fun guys. I'm away on business.

Blizzard

[Blizzard]

The third meeting for the supporters group is tomorrow (22nd) at 2pm at the Duke of York on Bedford St. in Toronto. For some reason the threads for the other two that Real Gooner started aren't in this part of the forum anymore.

So I hope that answers that question. :) Anyone interested in supporting the team is welcome to come.

Have fun guys. I'm away on business.

Blizzard

[AndrewW]

There's no way that Stalteri or either De Guzman are coming back to Toronto to play in MLS, at least not for some time. Radzinski, because he's now entering the twilight of his career, is a possibility.

You may see a few players in Europe who are from the Toronto area who are struggling for regular playing time in the UK come back (still-young Maycoll Canizalez, stuck with the Hanover 96 reserves and Jim Brennan who doesn't start regularly for Norwich comes to mind, possibly Rhian Dodds of Kilmarnock), some of the Scandinavian based players that aren't with top clubs there (Chris Pozniak being a prime example, perhaps also Marco Reda) are also good possibilities, maybe even Ante Jazic (though he's not from Toronto).
Now that Reda is unattached, he becomes a bigger possibility IMHO. If I were to dream of what Euro-based players I want that may have a realistic shot, I'd have to go with (sorry if this is repetitious):
- Brennan (not playing much, but oh so suited for MLS, like a left-footed Brian Mullen or Brian Ralston).
- Josh Simpson (wasting away at Millwall; another left footer).
- Pozniak (Seemingly tailor-made for the level of MLS).
- Dodds (Does great when he plays for Killie; On a rolling yearly contract).
- Radzinski (Adds name value and he seems to be slipping further and further down Fulham's list; enter into evidence that he said in an interview that he wanted to come back and help Canadian soccer grow ... here's his chance).

As I said in the other thread on potential playes, I'd rather see young NCAA and NTC players filling the roster than too many Euro returnees.

Well, in less than a year we'll begin to see whether any of this will come to fruition.

Edit: Add to this that four of the five I named are from the GTA I believe.

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

.....I think how Toronto handles the draft will also be a key to their long-term success.....

I think using an expansion draft to get some American players with MLS experience must be part of MLSE's gameplan given the fact they requested the right to sign additional international roster spots with US citizenship. Although some people seem to assume that Dwayne de Rosario is automatically coming back I suspect the Houston Whatevers would try to hold onto him and the key to being competitive straight away would be trying to find the next de Rosarios from places like lower pro divisions in Europe, USL-D1 and the NCAA and using the non-US import slots for cost effective Central American and Carribean players rather than bigname European hasbeens.

http://www.canada.com/sports/soccer/...b-bea76b8f9115

It would include three additional senior international spots for U.S.-born players, for a total of seven senior international spots, and two additional youth international spots, for a total of five in line with the youth international totals for the 2005 expansion teams, Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake.

[mlsintoronto]

The third meeting for the supporters group is tomorrow (22nd) at 2pm at the Duke of York on Bedford St. in Toronto.

Anyone interested in supporting the team is welcome to come.

Is there a public site where these mtngs are being organized? I can't make it but I'd like to be aware of the next meeting.

[RealGooner]

Is there a public site where these mtngs are being organized? I can't make it but I'd like to be aware of the next meeting.

these meetings are organised online here and on the Canadian-soccer website forums. The first 3 were nat the Duke of York pub on Bedford St in Toronto. I'm sure the next fdew meetings will be therte for conveniencde sake. Come check it out if you can.

[X-Caper]

does the new toronto team recieve 1st overall pick in next years MLS draft?

[Chowda]

FWIW, Chivas and RSL had a coin toss to see who had first pick in the draft and the loser got the first pick in the waiver draft.

Your team may require special rules due to the difference in domestic players.

Odds are, you'll be #1 or #2.

[X-Caper]

does anyone know of there is a salary cap in the MLS? and is so wouldn't that affect how Toronto signs?

[AndrewW]

does anyone know of there is a salary cap in the MLS? and is so wouldn't that affect how Toronto signs?
Simply put, yes there is and yes it will.

There's talk the cap will be increased and may even see a big boost, but overall working with a cap will be one of the challenges the team will face.

To me, one of the biggest ifs remains whether the lure of playing at home may prompt some Canadian players abroad to return to Toronto MLS or whether the paycheques in Europe (even at the lower leagues) will be too much to pass up. This part of building a team doesn't create a lot of discussion right now, but ultimately will be one of the most important aspects of the team's success.

[Andre v2.0]

I guess the player call-up issue is a thorny one for a Canadian MLS team, well at least the first and only one so far.

Since the team was awarded with the proviso that it will be mostly stocked with Canadians, call-up issues are big. The biggest call-ups will be during the next WCQ cycle, starting in 2008 I believe. So, you'll have about a year and a half before call-ups get to be problematic, Gold Cup notwithstanding.

What to do? You could go for a more youth oriented approach regarding Canadians, this would initially give you some reprieve as they'd be too green to play for CDA. But not too young, you don't want 16 year olds being schooled by a well-oiled MLS team. Pool-wise, I'd look at some of the members of the 2001 U-20 team that did well. Some of the players may have stalled in their development, and perhaps playing in an MLS squad could get their confidence back. Also, I'd look to stock the roster with some good older foreign vets, players who can cover for the absences, or paper over the absence of called up players with there over-all fine play. Players like Youri Djorkaeff come to mind, that is, players who are still decent/good, but are much too old to be called up by their country.

As well, couldn't you make some agreement with the CSA that not more then 5 or so players can be called up? Surely a happy medium can be struck between developing players and running a business :)

As for players from the Lynx, I'd look at Ricky Titus, Andres Arango, and Edgar Bartholemu, if they'd be available. At least give them a try-out.

[Captain Canuck]

IAs for players from the Lynx, I'd look at Ricky Titus, Andres Arango, and Edgar Bartholemu, if they'd be available. At least give them a try-out.


The latter two yes, but I think Rick Titus will be about 38 years old by the time the 2007 MLS season begins. I have to think there will be better options.

Other Canadian Lynx players (from the 2005 season) worth a look - Robbie Aristodemo, Wyn Belotte (if you can whip him into shape), Sita Taty Matondo, Sean Fraser and Jamie Dodds.

[Andre v2.0]

Ricky Titus is that old?:eek:
Doesn't play to his age.

Sean Fraser would be good, if he could do something with his speed. And ah yes, the enigma that is Wyn Belotte. I think he might need a near-death experience to harness his potential.

I forgot to mention midfielder par-excellance, Joe Mattachione.

Regardless, this MLS talk is very exciting.

[Ken S]

I'm interested in your thoughts about...
-the overall competetiveness of the league - and its direction
-the viability of the league (4 / 12 teams in soccer specific stadia, 3 in progress, 2 more starting up, expansion, tv deal, etc)
-a mostly Canadian roster...if Canada makes significant strides, what would happen to our team during international play outside MLS? Currently each MLS team loses 1-4 players, and all is not lost, but in Canada...?
-supporters clubs - if this thing is going to have the atmosphere we all would like, someone is going to have to take the first steps...volunteers?

Discuss away!:)

The overall competitiveness of the league? If you are talking inside the league, it's fine, but North America's top league should be at a higher standard. Given that MLSE has deep pockets, it's own soccer-specific stadium, and one of the largest markets, it should be pushing the hardest for a major increase in the salary cap so that it can atleast outbid the scandanavian teams and England's L1/L2 for Canadian talent.

More money = more talent = more credibility = more fans = more money

The health of the league is improving, so there is not much to worry about there, but MLS needs to get on FIFA's calendar and not play on international dates. MLSE should have demanded this when negotiating the franchise, but it's never too late to try. As the salary cap increases, MLS will have more internationals from many different countries, and this will force the issue. In the meantime, you can deal with the problem by having ALOT of Canadians, and by complementing the senior internationals with youth players (the senior and junior teams wouldn't be playing at the same time), and a few geezers who have retired from international play. If this doesn't work, then you can really piss-off Sepp Blatter and add Sinclair and Lang to the team!

Supporters groups should be independent. MLSE should support and encourage, but not dictate to.