After clarifications, the 2nd round also counts as an opportunity to fill the 250 minutes quota for the Canadian U21 players Latest on the Forge U21 minutes situation is that it now sounds like the second round WILL count towards meeting the quota. So they won’t necessarily have to play Maan ahead of Henry next weekend to avoid a fine. #CanPL— Oliver Platt (@plattoli) August 30, 2020
That won't sit well in the long run. Interestingly, this is not what a league official told us a few days ago!https://t.co/H3v02oeX4v#CanPL #ForgeFC https://t.co/OjhPQyQQF0— Northern Tribune (@northtribune) August 30, 2020
Here's the new take on the rule. So Forge is facing a fine A bit of confusion on this in the bubble today, but I’ve now been told definitively that this isn’t the case. The U21 minutes quota applies to the first round only and the punishment for not meeting it is a fine. #CanPL https://t.co/2E7U3Jjmsu— Oliver Platt (@plattoli) August 30, 2020
At the end of round 5. Standouts for me: Dunn Jean-Baptiste Blasco Bustos DI Chara Bekker Nanco Edgar Sissoko Garcia Geffrard Bent Acuna
I hate the backtracking that happened but glad they finally settled on what was originally stated. Common sense says that it is pointless to have a development league with mandatory play time that only impacts teams that advance to the next step of the competition. I know many are unhappy that it is just a fine but at least the rule was upheld.
I'm curious about the extent of the fine. So I get fined for not playing the kids, but I win two extra games with my veterans and get through to the finals.
CPL Round 2 & Finals updates Fans will be able to catch all of the action on @onesoccer and all September 12th matches and the Championship Final on @cbcsports #CanPL https://t.co/of8fRQI77r— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) September 1, 2020
I would imagine it will escalate if it becomes a pattern. As you said, just getting a fine isn't likely to discourage not playing the kids if it means they can win more games and make the finals, but it serves as a good slap on the wrist for a first time offense.
The idea that there was no points deduction seems to make it preferable to pay the fine for the advantage of not meeting the minutes threshold. But we live and learn as we go.
I don't disagree, I'm just thinking it starts with a fine, the escalates to point deductions if it continues to be an issue.
September 1/20 Zoom call post game press conference after the FC Edmonton vs York9 FC game. Full audio http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports20/20york096.htm These are NOT the same quotes as the OneSoccer footage. 27 minutes of Jeff Paulus, Amer Didic of FCE and Jim Brennan and Chris Mannella or York9.
Latest TV ratings for CPL Canadian #Soccer on #TV Average Minute Audience 2+ @CanPl vs @MLS. #MLS on #TSN Montreal vs. Whitecaps: 44,900 (Aug. 25), TO vs. Montr.: 75,100 #CanPl on #CBC Valour vs. Edm. (not live): 26,000, HFX vs. York9: 66,000 (Aug.29) #SportsBiz #SportsMarketing #Mediaresearch DM avail.— Koen@KR United Media (@KRunitedMedia) September 2, 2020
So if I'm reading the table right, Forge is through but no one else has a guaranteed spot yet. One of Calgary and York will make it for sure but not necessarily both. Probably one of Halifax and Ottawa but certainly not both. That's a pretty compelling finish for everyone's last game.
Because H2H tie-breaker only applies to two teams, they haven't clinched yet. Here are the two scenarios in which Forge falls out of the Top 4: They need to lose by 2 and have Cavs/York tie, PAC win by 2, HFX win Lose by a combo of 8 with AO winning (1-0 and 0-7, 2-0 and 0-6, etc.), Cavs/York tie, PAC win
Thoughts on eliminated clubs FC Edmonton Unlike Cavalry and Forge who had Sigma and Foothills as a foundation, it's unbelievable that FC Edmonton Academy didn't have the same effect for them. Coach Paulus hinted that he might not be the right guy to lead the squad. He might be right as some are saying that his heart is more in the developmental side of the organization. If that's the case, a change of coaching might be the right thing to do. Defence is not the same without Didic who won't be around forever. He's clearly thinking of moving to a higher league having turned down MLS to stay in CPL for more minutes. There's a clear lack of depth that needs fixing and I would make drastic changes. TFC II Terique Mohammed is not MLS level and has underperformed in CPL. USL One might be the right place for him. Aleman was quality for FCE but Boakai was inconsistent with flashes of brilliance at time. Zetterberg disappointed as well and as a whole, they aren't creating much nor giving good ball to Ongaro who worked really hard with 2 goals. Ongaro is a great forward with lots of potential. He got poor service the entire tournament and Edmonton needs more attacking pieces. Ameobi isn't the answer if Ongaro goes down.
Thoughts on eliminated clubs Valour Tons of positive after this tournament, Gale was able to successfully improve his team after a clear rebuilt. James Pantemis has true potential. If Montréal wants to continue with Diop, they need to get rid of Evan Bush and either keep loaning Pantemis to Valour or make him your #2. The salary cap needs to increase in CPL tonallow clubs like Valour to put in an offer to buy Julian Dunn and pay him what he was making in MLS. Wow! It's criminal that he isn't playing in MLS and stuck in USL-1. Him and Haitian International Jean-Baptiste were the best CB pair in my opinion allowing Valour to be a very sound club defensively. CPL should be a place to not only develop young talent but to be a viable option to those on MLS benches and USL-1. Ohin has been a boss at midfield who were creative and surprised me with their attractive brand of football with Galan who provide quality, leadership, passion and experience. Pena, Gutierrez, Kacher, Carreiro and Dyer have good chemistry and were creating good combinations and opportunities. Where it hurt them was finishing quality. Fordyce shouldn't be a started despite being signed for much needed leadership. I like Aird but missing Attardo and Bustos was obvious. They need to find a way to keep their squad while investing in acquiring proven attacking talents that can bury some of those opportunities. Valour is a club to watch for the future
Sept 5, 2020 Zoom audio from CPL post game press conference between York9 FC and Cavalry FC 26 minutes hear from Jim Brennan, Luca Gasparotto and Nik Ledgerwood, Tommy Wheeldon Jr. http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports20/20york102.htm These are NOT the same interviews you hear on OneSoccer
Changes are coming at FC Edmonton In following up with @jeff_paulus’ comments about the possibility of a new voice perhaps being needed in Edmonton: being told that there will likely be a restructuring of some type, but that Jeff will almost certainly remain with FCE. He’s valued at organization. #CanPL— Duane Rollins (@24thminute) September 6, 2020
FC Edmonton has a deal with a German club to provide minutes to some players. I'm hoping it's primarily Easton Ongaro and Amer Didic Jeff Paulus suggesting in his postgame presser that FCE have made some kind of partnership with a club in Germany, possibly to get players some playing time during the off-season. #CanPL— Charlie O'Connor-Clarke (@charliejclarke) September 6, 2020 Pacific coach views Kadin Chung as the best RB in CPL (he's right) and in Canada (most would say Laryea or Brault-Guillard but he's reached another level this year) Jeff Paulus suggesting in his postgame presser that FCE have made some kind of partnership with a club in Germany, possibly to get players some playing time during the off-season. #CanPL— Charlie O'Connor-Clarke (@charliejclarke) September 6, 2020
I was a season ticket holder of FC Edmonton in the NASL. To me, Paulus is the same as his old head coach and mentor Colin Miller. Both coaches didn't have teams that exhibited any offensive dynamic play. Does Paulus have the ability to teach his strikers the right runs? Does he have the knowledge base to teach offensive movement and combinations for his players? He sure didn't learn any from Colin Miller. He strikes me as a "play tough defence and poach a goal off of set pieces with the 6'6 striker" kind of coach. The saddest part of the Eddies season is that the organization hyped all its young academy graduate kids in the off season, but then didn't even really play them until they were eliminated. They're the only players who look like they have any creativity besides Aleman and occasionally Boakai. Just no reason to be excited by the Eddies.
Kadin Chung is not better than Laryea and ZBG. That's ridiculous. I would also start Alistair Johnstone over him as he has been putting in MOTM performances for Nashville in MLS.
I'm also hoping a single Canadian player emerges as an offensive threat besides Bustos (excluding Kyle Bekker who is 30) this tournament. It's been dire in that department. Some Canadian has to step up and show something in the opposition half. Mo Farsi is a wing back but has showed some flashes going forward. Bustos is the only one who receives the ball and you think "he can make something happen". That's sad.