CSL finally joining the CSA next year

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

A snippet from the Globe and Mail that should be of interest to some of you:-

http://sports.theglobeandmail.com/se...rtsSoccer/home

Montopoli and CSA staff also indicated that one major advancement during the meetings in Banff was that the Canadian Soccer League, a regional semi-professional league currently operating in Southern Ontario and Quebec will join the CSA membership next year.

A spokesperson for the Canadian Soccer League indicated that the league plans a media conference next week at BMO Field announcing further details of what its expansion across Canada could mean for the development of the game at all levels.

[VPjr]

This is outstanding news for the CSL.

Congratulations to the CSL. Congratulation CSA for doing the right thing.

This is a big development.

[ray]

What does this recognition mean for the league from a practical point of view? Will amateur clubs be more willing to associate with the CSL franchises?

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

It means coast to coast expansion finally isn't just empty rhetoric by a provincial league and some sort of participation in the Canadian Championship alongside TFC, the Whitecaps and Impact is a distinct possibility.

[Eric]

Excellent news, we might end up with a real Canadian professional league after all. Obviously to get the CSL operating nation wide will take pros running the office operations and the clubs it selves, which is something the CSL doesn't have right now.

I would love to see every club with youth programs run professionally, the highest qualified coaches in charge of teams and above all owners with deep pockets that can really afford to be part of a professional league, instead of some of the wannabes the league has right now.

I wonder what Richard's comments will be about this? he's not going to be too happy!!!

[ted]

quote:Originally posted by Eric

I wonder what Richard's comments will be about this? he's not going to be too happy!!!

I'm not going to speak for Richard (he certainly doesn't need that) but as someone who has had a lot of negative things to say about the CSL I would indeed be happy. I would be happy if they finally started behaving in a professional manner. I would be happy if they actually started living up to their grandiose claims. I would be happy if they finally came up with a reasonable business plan for nation-wide expansion.

They have taken a tiny step in the right direction. Time will tell if they have actually changed.

[Ed]

Until they clean up the ethnic names, I am dead set against this. No Serbian White Eagles representing Canada at any level.

[Richard]

^ Couldn't agree more.

[VPjr]

quote:Originally posted by Ed

Until they clean up the ethnic names, I am dead set against this. No Serbian White Eagles representing Canada at any level.

What if they were called Toronto White Eagles

[Eric]

What if they were simply called the White Eagles!!! I would accept that.