{allcanada} MLS demands Can-Con

 

Major League Soccer has revamped its roster rules for Canadian clubs, with the Vancouver Whitecaps joining Toronto FC north of the border this season.

The two Canadian teams will have to have a minimum of three Canadians on their rosters this season, a move the league hopes will help develop more elite players in this country.

Under MLS rules, each team is allowed eight international slots on its roster. Teams can trade these spots to increase the number of international players they have.

Last year Toronto FC was granted an exception to this rule. They were given 16 international slots, eight of which they could use on American players.

There was no ruling on how many Canadians on the roster, although Toronto had to use domestic players to fill out the numbers unless they added more international slots.

The league has also opted to treat players considered domestic players in the United States as domestic talent in Canada as well. This means the Canadian teams won't have to use international player spots on their rosters to sign Americans.

Allowing Vancouver and Toronto to sign Americans without using up international slots this season will make it easier for them to fill their rosters.

But the Canadian Soccer Association was afraid this could result in less Canadians playing on the Whitecaps or Toronto.

That resulted in the MLS passing the mandatory Canadian content rule.

"On one hand is it very important the Canadian teams are competitive with the domestics MLS teams," said Todd Durbin, the MLS executive vice-president of competition and player relations. "We're trying to balance that against everybody's desired goal to make sure we are doing everything possible to develop talent in Canada."

The MLS plans to review the three-Canadian rule at the end of this season and it could be increased for 2012, Durbin said.

The changes were made to ensure Vancouver and Toronto can remain competitive while also encouraging the development of home-grown talent, he added.

"It is everybody's hope and everybody's goal that over the next few years the Canadian pool will become deep enough that we won't need either the rule of having a minimum number of Canadians, but more importantly, be able to eliminate this rule that allows U.S. domestics to count as Canadians," Durbin said during a conference call.

The Canadian Soccer Association and MLS have also formed a committee to study the professional development side of the game in Canada.

"We want to create the best possible environment for our players and teams to be successful in MLS and at the international level with our national teams," Peter Montopoli, the CSA's general secretary, said in a release.

The Whitecaps will open their inaugural MLS season March 19 against Toronto. The Montreal Impact will join MLS in 2012.

Last season there were no rules governing how many Canadians that Toronto FC had to include on its roster.

Earl Cochrane, Toronto's director of team and player operations, welcomed the rule changes.

"We definitely think the modified rules are a good idea and think that we've arrived at a fair place that allows us to be competitive while still acknowledging the need for Canadians on our roster," Cochrane said in an email to The Canadian Press. "It was never our intent ... on not having Canadians on our roster.

"In fact quite the opposite is true. One of our core principles is to ensure the game develops in Canada and we will not change that approach."

Bob Lenarduzzi, the Whitecaps president, said the emphasis will be on Canadian teams to develop more talent.

"It's incumbent upon the pro clubs to develop their own players," said Lenarduzzi. "We demonstrated we are prepared to spend money on development. We will help solve the problem long term."

Last season Toronto had six Canadians on its senior team roster. The Whitecaps opened training camp this year with three Canadians signed and another three trying out for the team.

Cochrane said Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal all have invested in youth academies for the development of young talent. This will increase the number of Canadians available.

"I think TFC, the addition of Vancouver and in a year's time Montreal, will have a marked effect on the game," he said. "All three are keenly invested in youth development and that will bode very well for the game here."

Durbin said there are a number of Canadians playing internationally, but they may be too expensive for MLS teams to sign, or under contract to other teams.

A Canadian signing with an American team is considered an international player.

The league also announced the Houston Dynamo will move to the Eastern Conference from the Western Conference to make room for Vancouver and the Portland Timbers, who are also joining the league this season.

Toronto FC plays in the Eastern Conference.

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99

Babe Of The Month
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonthman.html