I'm no fan of conferences (I particularly hate divisions) and especially so when there aren't enough teams to warrant the split in a sport like soccer, but throwing around the "farce" tag to the NHL is a bit much. Even if they got rid of the old Norris and Smythe division traditions in favor of more Americanized conferences.
The single table and a balanced schedule is perfect for Canada. Do it just like a lot of the world does it because there aren't enough big cities to make a bigger league. In Canada if you put a team in the top 10 largest metros the tenth would be in Kitchener with a population of 523k. In the US that would be listed at 106 right in between Fayetteville Arkansas and Lexington Kentucky. More cities means larger league than is a single table can handle. I, personally, would love a 24 team first division, single table with pro/rel. That's the only way my hometown will ever get a team but that's never going to happen.
https://www.wakingthered.com/2018/1...come-news-in-turbulent-week-for-canada-soccer https://www.forbes.com/sites/bobbym...nd-sets-kick-off-for-april-2019/#1cadcc6b330b http://torontosun.com/sports/soccer...cpl-commissioner-as-league-reveals-start-date Calling out to the wonderful world of #CanPL Twitter:We have 16 Supporters' Groups ready for the website, but we're almost certain we've missed some. Any other SGs out there - let us know! pic.twitter.com/VcgDbB24I5— The CanPL Hub (@thecanplhub) January 5, 2018 Lots to like about this article in particular. I like his goals and thoughts on the current state of the game and culture in NA. In regards to @Robert Borden, I actually agree with many of his sentiments about this league and the game in Canada and it's development and alot of those thoughts are echoed here. I actually don't think that TFC or any of the MLS Canadian teams should expect to be able to run "quasi-D2" franchises here and am happy that the CSL is choosing to run this as a true D1 professional league because Canada actually NEEDS this if they're going to truly develop in the sport for years to come. And I actually respect his thoughtful purpose within his arguments; he doesn't tend towards reductive fallacy as so much internet discourse is prone. He uses arguments and point-driven, topical discussion to prove his ideas. So on this, Mr. Borden, I commend you. But I don't often agree with his imperative and tendancy towards a competitive stance regarding the CSA/CPL vis-a-vis MLS/USSF. CPL does not need this. TFC and MLS were and are wrong to try to co-opt and outcompete this league but CPL would be just as wrong to do the same. To begin with, it would be insane to try to directly compete with a league which has had such a head-start on them in terms of organization, infrastructure, investment and capital investment. Secondly, it's not even necessary. Not that I'm afraid of healthy competition from the CPL eventually, but only in terms of the natural competitive nature of all sporting enterprise, not in terms of an antagonistic business existential conflict rooted with the ultimate goal of subsiding the current order at all costs. If the CPL's success eventually brings about a climate whereby the 3 Canadian MLS clubs would obviously benefit from switching over to the CPL, then so-beit and well-done, but this should not be an outright goal that supercedes the more pragmatic and substantial goal of developing the game in Canada which can and should benefit from the existence of both regardless of any future considerations. Bottom line, the CPL would do well to concentrate on CPL goals and success, first, second and forever. In other words, they must be the most successful league possible, do what they can to make the sport work there and improve Canadian football. If they end up challenging the MLS status-quo it should only be as a by-product of quality leadership, business acumen, planning, and solid fan consolidation and engagement; because this the only manner in which such a thing could ever happen if it's possible. In other words, the CPL has tremendous potential, and I for one would be delighted if they one day grow to the point of pressuring MLS, even demonstrating an effective and plausible from of P/R that could work in NA and possibly demonstrate it's viability to MLS in the future. But, right now, MLS should not be the CPL's concern, not now or ever, and I don't think that it is. Their concern should be the CPL, the Canadian market and success in the Voyageurs Cup, CONCACAF and the future developement of the CMNT and beyond. This is a solid strategy that will serve Canada well regardless of whether or not they eclipse MLS. That situation is irrelevent to Canada's future in the sport.
I agree. It seems like a lot of soccer fans view soccer in North America as inauthentic if we don't do everything specifically the way things are done in Europe (and usually England). And so we usually see English commentators saying "pitch" "nil" and "draw" instead of "field" "zero" and "tie." Now that's a very minor thing, but it irritates me because there's nothing magically more authentic about those words. It's just what the British use for those terms, regardless of the sport. And it's the same thing with single table and promotion and relegation. I am not inherently opposed to either of those concepts, but the way people insist on them boggles my mind. There are people that think that without these things the competition isn't legitimate, and that if we had them, interest would rise. But why is this the case only with soccer fans? All sorts of European leagues in other sports (like basketball and hockey) have promotion and relegation and single table. But you almost never hear basketball and hockey fans in the US demanding this. Why? Because there's nothing inherently better about those concepts. It's just a different way of doing things. And because the NHL and NBA are the best leagues in the world, we don't have an inferiority complex where we have to copy European formats to be relevant.
If the league is not going to expand past 16, then i agree that the league is probably too small and single table would most likely fit it best. I mean i think a four team playoff could be possible--but i definitely also understand the single table argument. The bottom line is that Canada needs to find what works best for Canada without feeling any nonsense pressure to do it the Euro way or the US way. Canadian soccer must be given space by everyone that cares--enough space to evolve and become its own game. I think as soccer lovers it's pretty safe to say that we all wish them well!
Hey guys! Had no clue we were talking Canadian Premier League here. I posted tweets and info here: https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/canadian-premier-league.2028798/page-50 @Unak78 Thanks for the kind words and the criticism is warranted and I'm aware of it. Lately, My critic of MLS is much more focused towards our 3 Canadian clubs in particular and the way they develop local talents and use them. I fully acknowledge that MLS as a league did what it could to level the playing field. Regarding CPL Great historic moment for Canadian soccer and we're all very excited about the years to come. I go to the Toronto CPL SG meetings so I get some inside info on the league as Paul Beirne personally will meet the groups. So I might have been overly argumentative on some aspect of the league but it was because we had info that we couldn't disclose publically. I'll had more thoughts on different aspect of this news. Fyi. If I quote some of you to breakdown some comments, it's not about being argumentative or confrontational, it's just more effective way to communicate.
The US has more metro areas over 2 million people than the entire EU. It's just moronic for people to argue for a small league with pro/rel and single table in the US.
That's why going the Euro way makes more sense for Canada. Half of Canada (18M) lives in the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor. With most trips being doable by train and high speed train being planned for the corridor, the bulk of the teams should logically be there eventually. Travel within the corridor would be cheaper which could compensate for having to fly for some trips. Just like in Europe, large metro areas can support multiple clubs. Paul Beirne said he sees the Greater Toronto Area fully capable of supporting 10 teams across multiple divisions. The US model cannot work for Canada, plain and simple
Name a country in Europe with 3 of their top 6 metros at least 1500 miles away from half the population. The closest comp for Canada is Australia where much of the population is in the Sydney and Melbourne metro areas but also has Adelaide and Perth a significant distance away. The best league model for Canada is probably either the Australian A-League or Liga MX with a playoff structure at the end of the season or half season.
Do you the model really matters at the moment? It can be adapted at any time. If fans want to watch soccer they'll show up, players, conferences, play-offs be damned. Looking from the outside the biggest problem is logistical. How can a handful or two of teams, with fairly limited resources, prosper in a country as wide as the Atlantic ocean?
Regarding travel costs and logistics. The league through Paul Beirne has made it crystal clear that it won't make or break the league. Travel costs are being accounted for and there are creative ways to lessen it's impact on the league finances. Again, just making it clear, travel costs aren't the league main concern, not remotely near the top concerns at all
With a clear understanding that the probability of the 3 Canadian MLS teams ever moving to the CPL is highly unlikely (due to millions of financial reasons!) I think it is fun to speculate on the terms of a possible move because frankly CONCACAF would be infinitely more appealing if they had another truly strong domestic league. Would certainly give the CCL more zest and open MLS opportunities for a few other US cities. Ah, daydreams!
I'm curious as to how people think the league will compare to the USL. I personally don't see where they are going to get the players from to make it as competitive as USL - especially since I could see USL moving to two tiers within the decade. From my view, the US has a lot of development issues, but Canada seems even more challenged. In terms of current talent Toronto was last in their division Vancouver was second last in theirs. From personal experience I can say Canada has a lot of nice cities, but I also see the US as much easier sell to imports from Latin America and the Caribbean. Also USL ties to MLS teams will make the league more attractive the an Canadian league with (I would assume) ties to 3 Canadian MLS teams.
It'll depend on what the international player quota will be. I think initially the quality will be somewhere between USL and PDL level from Canadian domestic player pool. What kind of international player CPL will draw will make it competitive with USL overall.
Ottawa Fury who's currently in USL were shocked at CPL numbers when they saw the business plan. CPL will be higher than USL. Lack of opportunity and structural problem are major problems in Canada, not talent. There are Canadians playing all over the world and at home that will get an opportunity to play more often and at home. CPL has the mean to attract foreigners from the Americas, more so than USL which is still viewed as a developmental league.
Paul Beirne said in a Q&A in Halifax that the league will go after players from D1 and D2 around the world. D3 or less will be viewed as too weak for CPL. While Canadians from our D3 will get opportunities, we have enough Canadians worldwide to have a good league. Lack of opportunity doesn't equal low talent. The number of Internationals allowed will be reflective of the current state of the pool
The whole USL/MLS vs CPL comparison is a bit pointless. These will be 2 very different leagues, models and structure. I think CPL will indeed spend on quality internationals from the Americas but give opportunities to younger Canadians to play with them and there's lots of talent at that level. I expect them to sign Canadians from D1-D2 leagues around the world AND to sign & play younger talents at home. Hamilton was already in talks for a partnership with Sigma FC which has developed great talents over the years. When having to go in the Canadian pool, teams will go young, no doubt about it.
I'm not. What will matter is the number of Internationals allowed. That will tell a lot on how the league will look like. Initial reports were that Beirne and the CSA wanted a high Canadian quota. Ownership pushed back and most likely it will only be International restrictions and no Canadian Quota
What's the incentive for Canadian players currently playing abroad to come back and play in a nascent CPL? They currently get better competition playing & practicing abroad, which helps their development. I just remember MLS' first 10-15 years where they had to practically beg players to come back "home" to play. In many instances higher salaries wasn't good enough. Not to mention: why would they choose CPL over playing for one of the three MLS Canadian teams?
Playing time, home, opportunity to showcase their skills etc... CPL has already plenty enquiries from players abroad and at home do that won't be an issue
So, nothing but a bunch of meaningless BS in a second rate league. Yeah, you don't source anything and make ridiculous claims constantly. Time to go into the ignore filter.
MLS manages just fine without the best American players. I'm sure CPL will be able to find players from somewhere. Third-rate. MLS is second rate. But there's nothing wrong with that, plenty of people around the world choose to watch non-elite soccer.
The source is Anthony Tortera. You're free to check out the Canadian Premier League thread as I post most of those reports/sources/articles/tweets there Seems like most of my "ridiculous" claims ended up being accurate in the light of CPL going public with more info. As for your misinformed angry attitude, oh well...
I usually don't post Canadians switching teams or signings in the top 2 tier of Scandinavian leagues but we have more than people realize in Europe. They just don't play for the top clubs or those that are famous.