Toronto and MLS

[JohnMac]

See attached link for good insight into the state of footie in Toronto and Canada. Varsity stadium, the only soccer stadium in Canada, is now under the wrecking ball and the much talked about Canadian 1st division is going no where.

This does present an interesting set of circumstances for MLS, FIFA and Canadian Soccer. Right now they are so far away from a viable 1st division it doesn't really make sense to talk about it. They have 4 A League teams that are semi struggling and another four logos. Not a good start for a 1st division.

What if, though, they take the market with the most potential (Toronto) outfit it with a replacement for Varsity (20k seats) and set either the Lynx up in the US based first division (MLS) or revive the Blizzard while allowing the other markets (Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Lynx) to continue to establish a foothold without the burden of a 1st divsion payroll?

Oh yeah, the Canadian National Team hasn't played at home in a year and a half because they don't have a home. A 20k seat stadium in Toronto would help them tremedously.

MLS is always looking for willing partners. They may find them in Toronto.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/story/10258138476074.shtml

[JaxxNate25]

I would much rather drink my own urine that have a Canadian team in MLS...They can keep their money and stadium if they are offering. This is an American League and lets keep it that way.

[mitrita]

I'm afraid that Canadian teams in MLS would
violate FIFA regulations

[dcunited81]

Originally posted by JaxxNate25
I would much rather drink my own urine that have a Canadian team in MLS...They can keep their money and stadium if they are offering. This is an American League and lets keep it that way.

My thoughts exactly, I would offically stop supporting all MLS things if they have a team in Canada, besides, it's against FIFA regulations, so it wouldn't even happen. If Canada wants to become the 51st state, cool, but until then HELL NO to a Canadian MLS team!!

[Stan Collins]

Wow. Is this the World rivalry forum? Why all the pointless jingoism?

besides, it's against FIFA regulations, so it wouldn't even happen.Har har. Riddle me this: why is it against FIFA rules for the US first division to have teams in Canada if it is not against FIFA rules for the Canadian first division to have teams in the US?

[Chowderhead]

Nothing against Canada, man, because I wish them alll the best. But we need a Canadian team in MLS like we all need a dose of the clap. We have our own problems. We don't need Canada's.

And one MLS team will not be a solution for Canada.

[JRedknapp11]

Originally posted by mitrita
I'm afraid that Canadian teams in MLS would
violate FIFA regulations


As does single entity....other then the rules of our league, I don't think Fifa officially recognizes us as league under their wings.

[The Incriminator]

Criminy!

For all are like men on islands without women. Even hags for beautiful of yours minds!

For the idea of Toronto is to trade Galaxy to MFL!
Get brains all!

[Thunderpac]

Originally posted by Stan Collins
Wow. Is this the World rivalry forum? Why all the pointless jingoism?
[...]
Har har. Riddle me this: why is it against FIFA rules for the US first division to have teams in Canada if it is not against FIFA rules for the Canadian first division to have teams in the US?

Don't be a jackass. FIFA does have a statute governing this. From article 58 of the FIFA Statutes (http://a1801.g.akamai.net/f/1801/2004/3d/www.fifa.com/fifa/statutes/statutesdocs/StatutenE.pdf):


A club domiciled on the territory of any one association shall not be permitted to play in competitions on the territory of another association on a regular basis. Exceptions to this ruling may be made by the Federation only if extraordinary circumstances (e.g. a transborder geographic region) justify such an exception and only if the two associations concerned have given their consent.


In the past that has meant that a club in one country would not be permitted to play in a league in another country unless there was no suitable league in the club's home country. Obviously if the Canadian SA had a first division league within its jurisdiction it would not want to permit a Toronto-based team to play in MLS. There are Canadian teams in the USL only because the CSA, USSF, and FIFA have all consented to the arrangement.

[DoyleG]

Chill out guys!

The talk of MLS in Toronto is nothing more than a stunt. There hasn't been talk of it in the Canadian media.

Besdies, would the rest of Canada care if TO got a team? not likely.

[Benedict XVI]

Look, if the commisioner of MLS said they are looking at Toronto, I have to think that it's a possibility. No matter what FIFA regulations say.

I don't see how it could do anything but help MLS.

[DoyleG]

Originally posted by Vicar
Look, if the commisioner of MLS said they are looking at Toronto, I have to think that it's a possibility. No matter what FIFA regulations say.

I don't see how it could do anything but help MLS.

Unless you want to be hosting another World Cup in the future, getting into a feud with FIFA won't help. Besides, your talking about a commisioner who is only interested in padding his bottom line. If that's the case, no one here is interested.

Kepp your problems to yourself.

[Benedict XVI]

I don't think they would be getting in a fight with FIFA. I imagine they've already gotten a behind-the-scenes okay from FIFA to at least investigate the possibility.

Hey, if you don't want a decent soccer league in Canada, bully for you. I don't think the commisioner is looking purely to 'pad his bottom line' because if he had been he probably would have stayed with the NFL. He's looking to grow the sport in the USA, and Canada can be a big part of that, and there can be a definite symbiotic relationship that will help both countries.

Or not.

Thankfully, it's not up to us goons on bigsoccer.com.

[AndyMead]

FIFA is more than happy to go along with ANY scheme that brings football to anywhere. The Welsh play in the FA Cup, New Zealand has a team in the Australian league, and I would not be surprised to see a Canadian based team in MLS. I'm not saying it will happen, but I don't see a single anything other than economics (and all that that entails) from keeping it from happening.

[Eastern Bear]

I wonder how Montreal would do? It seems that their A-League team has had some success, the Expos are on the move, and Montreal is more of a European style city anyway. Perhaps they could succeed there as the only summertime sporting team.

[Benedict XVI]

montreal is a great town and is definitely more european 'style' but i don't know if that really extends to soccer.

plus, the people of quebec seem a bit brighter than average when it comes to publicly funding sports teams, so i don't see a SSS getting built.

wonderful town, though.

[DoyleG]

Originally posted by AndyMead
FIFA is more than happy to go along with ANY scheme that brings football to anywhere. The Welsh play in the FA Cup, New Zealand has a team in the Australian league, and I would not be surprised to see a Canadian based team in MLS. I'm not saying it will happen, but I don't see a single anything other than economics (and all that that entails) from keeping it from happening.

Do your homework!

The 3 Welsh clubs (Swansea, Cardiff, and Wrexham) are under the control of the English FA, not the Welsh FA. Football Kingz are under the control of Soccer Australia, not the NZFA. Any Canadian clubs would be under the control of the USSF. That is crossing the line for most.

[Benedict XVI]

Homework this: FIFA will do whatever they can to make money, and if they think a Toronto MLS team - or 4 or 6 Canadian MLS teams - will line their pockets, they will bend every rule in the book to do so.

Plus - do your homework - there is that nasty 'precedent', which goes a long way.

[pugetsoundmls]

I'm indifferent to the subject at hand. I'd just like to see Canadian soccer continue to improve in order to help strengthen the North American game in general. Whether that means Canadian teams in MLS or a Canadian League, whatever.

The statute posted earlier seems to state if nations share a border, and both FAs agree on the details, a cross border league is no problem. I also agree that FIFA will do whatever necessary to improve the sport in one of its last great commercial soccer wastelands, Rio Grande North.

I tend to think super leagues, whether in Europe or even North America, may be the wave of the future, especially once FAs and FIFA realize the money to be made under such circumstances.

[DoyleG]

Originally posted by pugetsoundmls
I'm indifferent to the subject at hand. I'd just like to see Canadian soccer continue to improve in order to help strengthen the North American game in general. Whether that means Canadian teams in MLS or a Canadian League, whatever.

The statute posted earlier seems to state if nations share a border, and both FAs agree on the details, a cross border league is no problem. I also agree that FIFA will do whatever necessary to improve the sport in one of its last great commercial soccer wastelands, Rio Grande North.

I tend to think super leagues, whether in Europe or even North America, may be the wave of the future, especially once FAs and FIFA realize the money to be made under such circumstances.

If the MLS want's to help soccer in Canada, a working agreement will bear more fruit than having a franchise. A team here would only add to the problems of the MLS.