MLS teams in the U.S. are passing over Canadian players due to international status

[Free kick]

Can someone explain why these US Immigration laws play a role here but don't in other sports? Obviously, there is a reason, but I can't find it.

Thats because there are no foreign quotas in other sports. All are treated as equal. But mls has rules or quotas that state that americans mustbe guaranteed certain spots. So if canadian were to be guaranteed the same spots or opportunities as americans it would be considered giving preferential treatment of foreigners of one country (Canada) over another country.


Edit.|. I just realised that YNWA responded to this question already.

[Free kick]

This is a misconception actually Free Kick. I've seen others like BBTB constantly mention it as well. The thing about US laws being a barrior is not true. Don Garber himself has stated before that they would review the rules when there comes a point when a high amount of Canadians are entering the league.

But its got nothing to do with MLS or Don Garber. The law states that on US soil you cant distinguish between (or give preferential treatment to) one group or foreign nationality over another as far as emplyment opportunity.

As far as reviewing the rules, its pretty obvious what their only options are. And that is to increase the quota for canadians on the CDN MLS clubs. Or what he can do is say that americans on Cdn clubs will count as foreigners but US clubs will nev go for anything that gives us more internationals spots because that would be deemed and advantage.

Getting back to actaul quota numbers for Cnds, Its the CSA that will have the final word on that one.

[ag futbol]

See the problem I have with the rules, as they stand currently is that we give Americans preferential treatment on our roster in return ... for what? I don't understand how that doesn't run afoul of Canadian labor laws. If they are in any way equivalent to American laws that would have to be the case.

Solution in the short-run could be to give Canadian teams extra $ to bring home domestic players.

[TFC07]

See the problem I have with the rules, as they stand currently is that we give Americans preferential treatment on our roster in return ... for what? I don't understand how that doesn't run afoul of Canadian labor laws. If they are in any way equivalent to American laws that would have to be the case.

Solution in the short-run could be to give Canadian teams extra $ to bring home domestic players.

That's what exactly I am thinking. Don't we have our own labour laws to protect Canadian jobs?

Hopefully CSA bumps up Canadian quotas in couple of years to force Canadian MLS teams to sign/develop more Canadian players.

[Gordon]

See the problem I have with the rules, as they stand currently is that we give Americans preferential treatment on our roster in return ... for what? I don't understand how that doesn't run afoul of Canadian labor laws. If they are in any way equivalent to American laws that would have to be the case.

Solution in the short-run could be to give Canadian teams extra $ to bring home domestic players.

No one has ever adequately explained why Canadians can/could count as domestices for USL (not sure about NASL). I think certain parties have a vested interest in making things appear far more difficult than they are in reality. Interestingly, you can never get a straight answer from any source as to how Canadian labour law is different since any other Canadian company simply can not hire americans as if they were canadian citizens (or landed immigrants). Curious isn't it?

[Free kick]

I don't understand how that doesn't run afoul of Canadian labor laws.

Good question. I was actually thinking about that as well. Why wouldn't we have a similar law in Canada? the only reason i can think of is that such a law might rub one region (ie.: Quebec) the wrong way; or moreso politicians in that region. Quebec has long shown policies (in immigration in particular) that favor certain types of nationalities (ie.: from french speaking countries) over others. This is done in the name of protecting language and culture.

Maybe such legislation (even if it is in regards to labour and economic opportunity) would run counter (or be perceived to run counter) to those interests and would be opposed for those reasons. I dont know, just guessing here.

[Free kick]

No one has ever adequately explained why Canadians can/could count as domestices for USL (not sure about NASL). I think certain parties have a vested interest in making things appear far more difficult than they are in reality. Interestingly, you can never get a straight answer from any source as to how Canadian labour law is different since any other Canadian company simply can not hire Americans as if they were canadian citizens (or landed immigrants). Curious isn't it?

I have never heard that there even were quotas for foreigners in the USL or NASL. I am almost certain that there aren't any. The only reason that you see (I believe) a large amount of local or domestic players in the NASL or USL is for economic considerations (ie.: they don't pay players enough for a club to be able to attract outsiders or to make it worth it for outsiders to move).

So it only makes sense for someone who is rooted in the community to play as close to home as possible. I know for a fact that some of the USL'ers who played for the Lynx had a profession/Career/ or other gig on the side. There were high school / phys ed teachers. some may have camps and clinics etc etc.

notice that there wasn't anywhere near the same amount of player movement in NASL/USL compared to MLS.

[A_Gagne]

Garber has said that such an exemption is possible, but isn't warranted because there's currently not enough demand for Canadian players...

Not enough demand for Canadian players is exactly the reason why there should be a Canadian quota. There is certainly not an American domestic quota because demand for American players is high, the quota is in place specifically to create demand for them.

If Gaber's MLS is going to operate (and make it's money) in both countries it should create opportunities for both Canadian and American players.

Bottom line is that the MLS needs the Canadian markets to make it's money, but they are sanctioned by the USSF, so the CSA lacks the same ability to twist their arm. I'm not sure how we would bring pressure to bare on the MLS to change it's roster rules to also favour Canadians, but I sure hope someone at the CSA does.

I wouldn't suspect that they will get any help from the Canadian clubs on this issue either. On one hand, even though they are counted as domestics, Canadians on Canadian MLS rosters, are not as valuable (in terms of trade value) as Americans because they can't as easily be traded to other teams, however, the Canadian MLS teams current are the only game in town for Canadian players, which gives them tremendous leverage over young Canadian players, as well as an unchallenged player recruitment within Canada.

The CSA however, does have a degree of leverage over the Canadian MLS clubs, therefore, if they can find a common ground with Canadian clubs and that would advance both of their interests, then I think they could collectively pressure the league into employing more Canadians.

I.e. some arrangement that preserved the Canadian clubs player recruitment advantage but yet also increased the trade value of the Canadians on their roster. E.g. Canadians could be counted as domestics after a minimum number of years in league (e.g. 3) - this would perserve the clubs recruiting advantage and actually increase their leverage over young Canadian players, yet at the same time increase the value of the Canadians on their rosters, and lead to an increased number of Canadians overall in the league.

[Gordon]

I have never heard that there even were quotas for foreigners in the USL or NASL. I am almost certain that there aren't any. The only reason that you see (I believe) a large amount of local or domestic players in the NASL or USL is for economic considerations (ie.: they don't pay players enough for a club to be able to attract outsiders or to make it worth it for outsiders to move).

So it only makes sense for someone who is rooted in the community to play as close to home as possible. I know for a fact that some of the USL'ers who played for the Lynx had a profession/Career/ or other gig on the side. There were high school / phys ed teachers. some may have camps and clinics etc etc.

notice that there wasn't anywhere near the same amount of player movement in NASL/USL compared to MLS.

I am pretty sure there is - based on threads 6 or 7 years ago when the USL made the switch to count both Canadians and Americans as domestic throughout the league - so I looked it up. USSF sanctioning for Division 2 requires limits on the number of non-domestic witht he USSF defining non-domestic. Obviously if USL could do it easily enough, then MLS should be as well. I suspect that the USSF is the prime obstacle and the rest is smokescreen. Check out item three in the Team Organization Section.

http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2010/0...gue-standards/

[A_Gagne]

Oh, and while we're at it why don't we rant about by far the most bull**** aspect of MLS player rules. The whole idea of hanging onto a players "rights". I can understand that if you draft a player, or develop a player you should be able to hold onto his rights. On the other hand though it's absolutely ridiculous that the Impact can simply tell league office they're interested in Etienne Barbara, and all of a sudden he's treated as their property, or that Gyrio, a player that had nothing to do with MLS outside of a two week trial with SKC, is now effectively barred from any other MLS option for 2 yrs. And let's consider the double standard here. Was Toronto in talks with Alessandro Nesta... yes... did Montreal have to give anything up when they swooped in and stole him from under TFC's nose? Absolutely not! Why, cause the MLS is not about to tell a global soccer legend like Nesta, sorry, actually your rights are now held by TFC. But if you're a domestic (Canadian or American) player trying to break into the league, you've got two choices... seek out employment abroad, or grab your ankles. Rather than trying to negotiate another couple thousand here or there, I really think the MLS players association should take issue with the concept of clubs holding a players "rights" as is currently the case.