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

[madmonte]

Christ they only changed these rules for canadian quotas to allow american players to not count as international but domestic in canada what...two years ago? I can't see them changing it back, as much as we'd like it.

[RJB]

American league, with rules to benefit American Soccer. Why are we surprised by this???

[socceronly]

American league, with rules to benefit American Soccer. Why are we surprised by this???

But as stated by Garber, the rules causing this situation are not the league.

There is a great deal of talent bubbling up through the academies at the younger ages.

The future is bright, but they need places to play. If the league can't fix this, they will lose out on a lot of players that could make the league better in the future.

[Gordon]

American league, with rules to benefit American Soccer. Why are we surprised by this???

Canadian locations, CSA sanctioning required, Canadian labour laws. Surprised that it is allowed and surprised that a board that almost uniformly makes up names for Canadian players who decide their best options lay elsewhere is so accepting, and in some cases, even condone the practoce.

[canucklefan]

Canadian locations, CSA sanctioning required, Canadian labour laws. Surprised that it is allowed and surprised that a board that almost uniformly makes up names for Canadian players who decide their best options lay elsewhere is so accepting, and in some cases, even condone the practoce.

That's what I wanted to post. What's disappointing it's the fact that the CSA allowed all this. We are "maîtres chez nous" and it's our own fault if we have clubs developing more Americans than Canadians.

[RJB]

That's what I wanted to post. What's disappointing it's the fact that the CSA allowed all this. We are "maîtres chez nous" and it's our own fault if we have clubs developing more Americans than Canadians.

The CSA has no leg to stand on here. MLS does not need the three Canadian clubs, and so if they want to insist on more Canadians etc, there isn't a lot of leverage there. We are guests in their league, and as such will just follow along with what they wish.

[ThiKu]

At this point each of the 3 teams has paid their league dues, attracted significant fan-bases and finances, and raised the bar (TFC especially) in regards to fan participation. Actually the MLS does need these 3 teams and they are no longer "guests." What they are....is the minority unfortunately.

[TFCfan4Life]

At this point each of the 3 teams has paid their league dues, attracted significant fan-bases and finances, and raised the bar (TFC especially) in regards to fan participation. Actually the MLS does need these 3 teams and they are no longer "guests." What they are....is the minority unfortunately.

I agree with this statement. We aren't guests, because we have paid our dues and helped build the league into what it is today, we are entitled to the same rights. This infringing on US immigration rights talk is just pain bull. It has been stated above that leagues (USL) are already doing this (allowing both Canadian and US players to count as domestic on any team).

But maybe what's fair is to force the Canadian teams to adhere to a league minimum Canadian domestic players (say 8 out of 30... That's not even much as Toronto has 9 and most are academy). The CSA can start from the 3 that already exist and add 1 this year and 2 every subsequent years till we get to 12 requirement of Canadian players, taking off US players as domestics in parallel. I don't think all in one shot can be done.

On another note, 3 top level teams in Canada is not nearly enough to develop players in this country. We need 6-8 (Ottawa, Edmonton, Calgary, Hamilton, Winnipeg added). If Americans don't like playing non-American teams then make a Canadian division with reduced cross divisional games. Three is a good start, but not enough and a division 2 in Canada won't offere the competitive environment I really develop players who are needed for the CMNT.

This is just my take.

[Macksam]

The CSA has no leg to stand on here. MLS does not need the three Canadian clubs, and so if they want to insist on more Canadians etc, there isn't a lot of leverage there. We are guests in their league, and as such will just follow along with what they wish.

No.

[Keegan]

The CSA has no leg to stand on here. MLS does not need the three Canadian clubs, and so if they want to insist on more Canadians etc, there isn't a lot of leverage there. We are guests in their league, and as such will just follow along with what they wish.

MLS wouldn't be half the league it is without the Canadian clubs. I don't believe that events would have unfolded as they have in the past 5 years without the Canadian clubs... just look at the TV numbers for MLS in Canada vs USA if you don't believe me.