Steven Sandor's Blog, page 51

Don’t spend too much time trying to break down Canada’s win over Mexico

There may be no harder game in Canadian soccer to analyze that Saturday’s match at BC Place which saw our women’s national side beat Mexico 3-2 on the strength of a Janine Beckie brace.

This was Canada’s first international since winning the bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics; it marked the final games in the carriers of defender Marie-Eve Nault (who played the full 90), fullback Rhian Wilkinson and forward Melissa Tancredi. This game was about saluting those players and backslapping the program in what has been sold as a “celebratory” match since day one.

(What’s interesting is the amount of column inches dedicated to the retirement of men’s national team stalwart Julian de Guzman compared to the media attention paid to this women’s match. I will leave it at that.)

To further make this game harder to break down, two of Canada’s defensive mainstays, fullback Ashley Lawrence and centre back Kadehisha Buchanan, weren’t on hand, as they are settling into their new pro careers in France. Midfielder Sophie Schmidt didn’t start.

Sarah Stratigakis got her first senior cap for Canada.

But, the win did well to soothe the minds of those Canadian women’s soccer followers whose most recent memories of one of our national teams in international play wasn’t the Olympics, but Canada’s horrorshow flameout at the U-2o World Cup.

And, with coach John Herdman missing some key cogs, with the team showing signs of rust — you have to shrug and say, “well, a win’s a win” and move on.

In the space of two minutes we saw brilliance and a cringeworthy moment from Deanne Rose. First, the brilliance; in the 14th minute, the young Canadian forward scored the opener, taking a pass from Christine Sinclair and then blowing past the Mexican backline before a nifty finish into the bottom corner. Rose showed us that she can easily accelerate past defenders with the ball at her feet, and that she can still come up with a composed finish.

But then came the oh-no moment. Just seconds after she opened the scoring, Rose’s careless pass attempt into the middle of the field went right to Mexico’s Nancy Antonio, who didn’t waste the gift that the Canadian teen had presented her. Antonio’s shot beat Canadian keeper Stephanie Labbe — and, had this game counted for more than simply a celebratory home match, we’d be talking about how Rose gave one up just as easily as she’d scored one.

But Beckie restored Canada’s lead, placing a low shot just inside the post after she had retrieved a poor Mexican clearing attempt a the top of the penalty area.

Beckie’s second goal of the game came on a penalty, and it provided an interesting talking point. Sinclair was fouled inside the box, and you’d have though that the No. 2-all-time scorer in international women’s soccer history would go to the spot and try to add to her total.  But it was Beckie who stepped up, a sign that the team is looking forward, understanding that Beckie will be the striker in the future who will be called upon to convert these kind of chances in high-stress situations.

Katie Johnson pulled one back for Mexico in the second half, but let’s face it — the second 45 minutes was more about ovations for retiring players and salutes for the national side than it was about extending the lead. Wilkinson and Tancredi came on as subs, to rousing ovations, getting their final chances to soak up some well-deserved adulation for their fantastic careers.

Change has come: Canadians now domestics in NASL league-wide

If you’re a Canadian player and want to try and nab a spot on an American NASL team, you will no longer be considered an import.

The 11 has learned that NASL is about to announce a major change to the league’s roster rules — Canadians will now be full domestics league wide.

Under the old rules, Canadians were only considered domestics on Canadian teams, but Americans were domestics on both Canadian and U.S. teams. For a Canadian to be domestic on an American team, he needed a green card. In the past, Canadian players have told stories of being told by coaches and general managers that they might have shots to make the rosters of American teams, if only they didn’t take up precious international spots. For example, Canadian keeper David Monsalve had a trial with the Jacksonville Armada in 2015, and was told that the team could only take him on if he got his green card. Domestic? He made the team. International? He had to move on.

Now, that will no longer be an issue.

The USL, newly promoted to second-division status (NASL is also second-division), has a longstanding policy of treating Canadians as domestics. Last season, Swope Park Rangers, an American USL side, started four Canadians in a USL match. Frankly, that would never happen in a system where Canadians were treated as internationals.

Nana Attakora and Karl Ouimette were recently signed to the San Francisco Deltas. They will not take up international spots.

Each team will still have an international roster limit of seven players.

Major League Soccer altered the rule for the 2017 season. It had similar rules to NASL when it came to Canadians being domestics in Canada, but imports on the American teams. But it made a series of rule changes that allow for Canadians in the Generation Adidas program to be considered domestics league-wid ‚ or if a Canadian player signs with an MLS/Canada Soccer approved academy before or during the year he turns 16 AND signs his first pro contract with an MLS team or an MLS-affiliated USL side.

The NASL and USL rules require no conditions. With both NASL and USL (which has MLS-affiliated “B” and “2” clubs in its membership) now recognizing Canadians as domestics league-wide,  the pressure will be on MLS to simply do the same, rather than have a series of criteria a Canadian player has to meet in order to be a domestic.

In 2016, Canadian keeper John Smits, formerly an NASL Gold Glove winner for best goals-against average in a season, signed with the USL’s Wilmington Hammerheads. Despite a good résumé, the former FCE keeper couldn’t get bites in MLS because of his passport.

“My agent told me that there was some MLS teams that showed some interest, but because of the foreigner rule, there’s no way they were going to use an international spot on a goalkeeper unless he’s a for-sure number-one,” he said.

With the number of Canadians still with Unattached FC (that is, free agents), the chances to approach more teams.

Seven Canadians who played in NASL in 2016 have appeared for the Canadian national team over the course of the last year. In total, 20 Canadians appeared in NASL games in the 2016 season — but that number could still decrease because NASL has gone from 12 to eight teams — and the Ottawa Fury moved to USL, leaving FC Edmonton as the lone Canadian NASL side.

UPDATE: NASL HAS NOW MADE IT OFFICIAL. Here’s a statement from the league:

“Canadian players have played a big role in the development of our league on the field,” said NASL Interim Commissioner Rishi Sehgal. “We believe that this change will help us become better contributors to the growth of the game, not only in Canada, but in the U.S. as well.”

“As one country improves, the other country will improve,” said FC Edmonton co-owner Tom Fath.  “It’s win-win for both Canada and the United States.”

Trump’s impact on MLS: Southsiders won’t be organizing road trips across border in reaction to U.S. travel ban

Earlier this week, The 11 posted a poll asking Canadian soccer supporters if the policies undertaken by American President Donald Trump and his administration would keep some of them from traveling to the United States for away games in 2017. You can fill that out here.

Well, we are starting to see how some supporters in Canada are reacting to America’s travel ban on those who come from any of seven targeted, majority-Muslim African or Middle Eastern nations. The Vancouver Southsiders posted this open letter on Tuesday night. They have stated that they aren’t asking their members to boycott away games in the United States, but there won’t be any “Caps on Tour” organized trips across the border as long as the current U.S. restrictions are in place. And, if fans independently choose to go down to watch games in Seattle, Portland or anywhere else in the United States, they’ve been asked not to show the Southsiders name or badge.

Here is the letter, in it’s entirety:

Dear Southsiders,

You should know these words well: “Boundary Road, take me home, to the place where I belong.”

Our supporter’s group was founded on the principles of inclusivity, acceptance and respect for all who sought to stand with us. Since our earliest days we have stood for equality, and we have spoken out against racism and bigotry. We have always strived to be the place where everyone feels welcome. We are the place where everyone belongs.

As you may be aware, recent developments in the United States present some very serious and distressing implications for some of our members, both directly and indirectly.

Last night, the Executive Board and Ombudsman met in person to discuss our role in facilitating the away travel experiences which have come to be known as #CapsOnTour. We gave careful consideration to our Charter, our Code of Conduct, and an unprecedented amount of input from the membership.

We are in unanimous agreement with the following:

BUS TRIPS: The Executive Board shall not coordinate any bus trips to the U.S. until such time that the current conditions at border crossings have changed. We cannot in good conscience be responsible for arranging or hosting events or experiences which potentially come at the exclusion of some of our members, no matter how few in number those affected might be.

AWAY TICKETS: The Executive Board recognizes it has an obligation to continue facilitating access to match tickets for away games. It is important that we protect the ticket allocation we fought very hard to gain control of. We are also mindful that many members booked flights and hotels prior to these recent developments. As such, away tickets will become available once kickoff times have been finalized, and we will provide you with the information necessary to obtain them.

DECIDE FOR YOURSELF: We are not asking our members to participate in protests or boycotts. We are not telling our members to stay home. You can make those decisions for yourself.

RESPECT: We have just one request – if you travel to a Whitecaps game in the US in the foreseeable future, we ask that you leave your Southsiders scarf at home as a sign of respect for members who cannot cross the border with the same ease and personal freedom as you do.

The Executive Board and Ombudsman shall continue monitoring the border situation and we will advise you if our position changes in the future. These are tumultuous and unpredictable times to say the least, which makes planning for the future extremely challenging. We will continuously assess our options and revisit these decisions when appropriate. Our ultimate goal is for all of us to move forward together in harmony and respect.

After all: “White is the colour. Soccer is the game. We’re all together.”

Sincerely,

Dylan Callow, Treasurer

Peter Czimmermann, President and Secretary

Darcie Kerr, Director of Operations and Merchandise

John Knox, Vice President and Director of Communications

Andrew Van Eden, Ombudsman

Aaryn Vivian, Director of Membership and Partnerships

Five years later, Froese finally gets his chance to move to Germany

It took longer than originally expected, but Canadian midfielder Kianz Froese has finally got his deal to play in Germany.

On Wednesday, the Vancouver Whitecaps announced that they had transferred Frose to Germany’s Fortuna Dusseldorf. The team stated it will receive a portion of any future sell-on fees and the possibility of receiving bonuses depending on the number of matches Froese plays for his new German side.

“This is a good opportunity for Kianz to continue his development both on and off the pitch,” Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson said in a statement issued by the club. “This move will also open a pathway for our young midfield players who are ready to compete for minutes.”

Froese was originally set to make the move to German side Mainz 05 back in early 2012; but, he’s finally got back to Europe in 2017.

Froese played in 15 MLS matches in just over two seasons.

Now, go back in time to the autumn of 2011; Froese, who had represented Cuba at the youth level, was pondering a switch to Canada — which he’d later complete. He inked a deal with FC Edmonton of the NASL, to train with the club until January of 2012, when, during the transfer window, he expected to head over to German side Mainz 05. At the time, both FCE and Froese said that if Mainz didn’t work out, FCE held right of refusal on the player — that is, if he returned to North America, he’d play for FC Edmonton. But, when he did come back to Canada later in 2012, he joined the Whitecaps organization. At the time, Sadi Jalali, who had made an agreement with the Eddies similar to the Froese deal, also appeared in Vancouver — but the Eddies admitted that they didn’t sign him to a binding contract.

Froese has since gone on to play twice for the Canadian men’s national team.

JDG says goodbye: Canadian great retires from playing, will join Ottawa Fury staff

Julian de Guzman has earned 89 senior men’s national-team appearances. He’s played in France, Spain, Germany, Greece and been a Major League Soccer Designated Player. He’s a former Gold Cup MVP, and a three-time member of the Gold Cup all-star team.

On Monday, he tearfully announced his retirement as a player, and his new role as an assistant coach with the USL’s Ottawa Fury. De Guzman, who spent the last two seasons of his career with the Fury (in NASL), hurt his knee in training last summer and hasn’t played competitively since that time.

De Guzman played for 10 teams throughout Europe and North America.

“Thank you to all the organizations and clubs I’ve been part of,” said de Guzman. He thanked the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, which owns the Fury.

“Thanks to all the owners of OSEG for making a Canadian dream come true.”

He said his favourite soccer moment came in 2002, when he got his first national-team camp for that year’s Gold Cup. He made his debut against Martinique.

“The moment I stepped on the pitch, it was better than anything, it was better than an orgasm,” de Guzman said to an Ottawa press-conference room filled with laughter.

De Guzman recalled that he was brought in as a last-second replacement for Garret Kusch. When he got to the Canadian camp, he was given Kusch’s No. 16 jersey; de Guzman’s name was basically laid over on top — and the shirt was far too big for the midfielder.

But, for a player who would go on to play in the biggest stadiums in Spain, against some of the world’s top stars, it was the Canadian moments that stuck out the most.

When he played in the Bundesliga, he was thrilled to play against Canadians who had already established themselves there — like Kevin McKenna and Paul Stalteri.

“They were like gods for me,” said de Guzman.

De Guzman left school before he’d finished Grade 10 so he could play in Europe. He went to France and struggled to impress the coaches at Marseille. When he was told he was no longer wanted there, he went to Saarbrucken, then to Hannover. In 2005, he signed with Deportivo La Coruna, despite the fact La Liga teams were only allowed to sign three non-Europeans.

De Guzman said that, to make it in Europe, “I told myself I have to be different.”

“What he’s achieved is like me, as Scotsman, coming to Canada and captaining the Sens,” said Fury coach Paul Dalglish.

De Guzman said he sees both the good and bad of what Canadian soccer is becoming. He said he was thrilled to play at home for Toronto FC, and then play in Ottawa to finish his career. He said it’s simply huge for a Canadian player to be able to play club football in Canada, something that wasn’t an option for him when he was young. But, as someone who has been asked to help evaluate Canada’s U-15 talent pool — and has been a mentor on the Canadian national team to the younger players — he made a telling statement.

“Younger generation doesn’t understand what suffering means.”

It was telling that, last year, then-Canadian national team coach Benito Floro brought de Guzman on Canada’s trip to Honduras, despite the fact his midfielder was out with the knee injury. It spoke to the value seen in having JDG as a mentor for the younger players. While he may be done playing, it looks as if JDG the coach will still have a lot of influence on Canadian soccer for years to come.

SURVEY for Canadian soccer supporters: Will Trump change your travel plans for away games in the United States?

The idea to create this post came from a Twitter discussion: Some Vancouver supporters were discussing whether or not they should boycott the team’s road games to the United States in 2017. Should they continue as normal, only travel to the “blue” states, or stay out of the U.S. altogether? Imagine a Cascadia rivalry game between the Whitecaps and Sounders in Seattle, and the road supporters section filled with empty seats.

Of course, these discussions were spurred by the travel ban imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on those coming to America from Somalia, Yemen, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Libya and Syria – the latter of which is in the midst of an ugly civil war which has led to a massive global backlog in processing refugees from that nation. The Canadian government confirmed Sunday that Canadian dual-passport holders won’t be affected.

But, through conversations I’ve had outside of the soccer community, I’ve already heard lots of stories about Canadians cancelling their travel plans to the United States. And we all know that a lot of us Canadians go to America fairly regularly. For many of us, sunshine states, whether it’s Florida, Arizona, California or Hawaii, are second homes. We do business in New York. Here in Edmonton, I’ve been at many gatherings where the subject turns to how to best navigate Los Angeles traffic, because it’s so darn common for us to make regular trips to Southern California. So, based on that, I’m putting this question out to soccer supporters: If you’re a fan of one of the Canadian teams that play the majority of their road games in the United States (that’d be MLS, NASL and USL), is what’s happening in the United States making you reconsider your travel plans for road matches in America?

I’d like to get the pulse of supporters on this. Please share the survey amongst your groups.

Create your own user feedback survey

Ottawa Fury signings force us to ask more questions about roster rules

The Ottawa Fury announced the signing of Sergio Manesio on Wednesday. The addition of the former Tottenham and West Bromwich Albion youth player brings the roster to 17 ahead of the team’s USL season.

But, of those 17, only five are Canadian; keepers Callum Irving and Andrew MacRae; fullback Eddie Edward; midfielder Jamar Dixon; forward Carl Haworth.

Now, there’s no reason to hit the panic button for those of us who freak out about Canadian content on Canadian teams. The Fury have an affiliation deal with the Montreal Impact, and the roster will no doubt be filled out with many youth prospects from the MLS side. And, FC Montreal, the Impact’s former USL side, led all Canadian teams in terms of playing Canadians in 2016 —  almost 90 per cent of the team’s youth prospects are Canadian. So, when Montreal’s players are injected into the roster, the Can-con will be boosted.

But it is interesting that the team has already signed 12 foreigners — though, with the January window about to close, the Fury has to get its international business out of the way.  

Yet, both the Fury and the Canadian Soccer Association have guarded the team’s Canadian-content obligations for 2017 like a state secret. The Canadian Soccer Association doesn’t provide the answers — and the Fury continues to hold the line that any answers about the roster regulations have to come from the CSA.

But the fact that there are a dozen non-Canadian-team-eligible players already signed to the Fury roster tells us something.

Remember that the rules for Toronto FC II and VWFC2 require that more than half of their rosters be Canadian-national-team-eligible players. And, over the course of the USL season, they must play — on average — six of 11 Canadian starters. To make that simple, that’s 540 minutes of playing time per game to Canadians.

The Fury made the move from NASL to USL for the 2017 season, and the question was if Ottawa was going to deal with similar restrictions. Having a dozen foreigners on the roster suggests that the team won’t have to.

This is not meant to be a criticism of the Fury; playing in NASL last season, the Fury averaged more than 347 minutes of playing time for Canadians. No other Canadian team in MLS or NASL even came close to that number. If any team in the planned Canadian Premier League could give an average of 347 minutes to Canadian players per game, it would be applauded. And the Fury maintained that number despite playing in a U.S.-dominated circuit.

If anything, this is a criticism of the secrecy around the Fury’s roster obligations for 2017. A press release or a statement should have come out when the team’s move was approved by the Canadian Soccer Association. This site has often criticized NASL and MLS for their lack of transparency in the past; so, we need to ask the same questions this time around.

NWSL, CSA announce list of subsidized players; 2017 is the smallest class to date

The number of players in NWSL who have their contracts subsidized by the Canadian Soccer Association continues to shrink.

The allocations for the 2017 season were announced Wednesday. This year, the Canadian Soccer Association will subsidize the salary of 10 players. They are.

Janine Beckie, age 22, from Highlands Ranch, CO/Houston Dash
Allysha Chapman, age 27, from Courtice, ON/ Boston Breakers
Sabrina D’Angelo, age 23, from Welland, ON/ North Carolina Courage
Stephanie Labbé, age 30, from Edmonton, AB/ Washington Spirit 
Diana Matheson, age 32, from Oakville, ON/ Washington Spirit (traded to Seattle Reign)
Desiree Scott, age 29, from Winnipeg, MB/ FC Kansas City
Christine Sinclair, age 33, from Burnaby, BC/ Portland Thorns FC
Shelina Zadorsky, age 23, from London, ON/ Washington Spirit
Kailen Sheridan, age 21, from Whitby, ON/ Sky Blue FC (2017 draft)
Nichelle Prince, age 21, from Ajax, ON/ Houston Dash (2017 draft)

Obviously, this number has been affected by the long-term injury to keeper Erin McLeod, and the fact that defender Kadeisha Buchanan and fullback Ashley Lawrence both decided to make their professional debuts in France rather than NWSL.

Canada has the right to subsidize up to 16 players in the NWSL. But, in recent years, the number hasn’t been reached.

In 2016, just 11 spots were used. In 2015, 13. In 2014, 14 spots were used — though the CSA had planned to use all 16; Scott chose at a late hour to play in England rather than the NWSL, and midfielder Selenia Iacchelli failed a medical. In 2013, Canada used all of its spots.

So, over the course of five seasons, Canada has gone from using 16 spots to 10. But, yes, some of that has to do with the fact that Canadians are going to Europe, and that many of the key players in the Canadian program are so young, they are still in school — think of teenagers like Deanne Rose and Jessie Fleming. The youngest subsidized players are 21 years of age each — and some of this country’s brightest young stars from the 2016 Olympics are still in their teens.

Eddies announce signings, departures; team has already signed replacement for Eckersley

The Eddies confirmed several arrivals and departures, Monday.

The Eddies announced the forward Tomi Ameobi, midfielders Ben Fisk and Pedro Galvao, and keeper Tyson Farago will all be back with the team in 2017. They join Canadian midfielder Nik Ledgerwood, whose return was announced late in 2016.

Coach Colin Miller said Monday that the team has also signed three new additions, but the club is waiting on NASL approval of the contracts before announcing the moves. 

“There’s no doubt we’ve had to make some changes, as we haven’t been able to hold on to some players for financial reasons,” said Miller. “We have some players on expiring contracts. But, I am excited by some of the players we will be bringing in.”

Fisk earned his first Canadian senior national-team cap in Sunday’s 4-2 win over Bermuda and will be expected to be a major spark plug for the Eddies in 2017. For Farago, with the departure of 2016 Golden Glove winner Matt VanOekel to MLS’s Real Salt Lake, there is an opportunity for the Canadian to move from the back-up role to the starting job.

Ameobi scored just twice last year, and the Eddies will need a bounce-back season from the forward, especially now that forward Daryl Fordyce’s departure for USL’s FC Cincinnati has been confirmed.

Miller said that in 2015, Ameobi had a run in the spring where “he was arguably the best striker in the league,” but then had the rest of the season derailed by a nagging toe injury. In 2016, things just didn’t go Ameobi’s way, but Miller said the club feels the forward will have a “bounce-back season” in 2017.

“Tomi would be the first one to admit that it was a disappointing season for him,” said Miller. “He’s a not a bad footballer by any stretch of the imagination, the ball just didn’t seem to bounce for him last year. Not to put too much pressure on the big fella, but we’d expect him to get back to that level where he’s right at the next level of football.”

Galvao will offer a left-sided presence; the Portuguese/American midfielder/defender showed some bright spots in his play when he came on as a sub in fall-season games. As he has a U.S. passport, he doesn’t take up an international slot.

Farago will compete with Canadian Nathan Ingham and a third goalie for the starting job. Miller said he feels for Farago; because of the club’s distance from any other pro club in North America, there are few opportunities for the reserves to play competitive games.

“Tyson became a victim of where we are in the world,” said Miller. “He basically became a training ground keeper (behind Matt VanOekel).”

And, because of that, when VanOekel was rested late in the season, Farago showed some rust in his game, allowing five goals in three starts on a team that had the stingiest defensive record in NASL.

But Miller said the plan is to have three keepers in camp, and allow them to battle for the place.

“My philosophy is I want competition all over the park for places.”

As well, he said the club is having discussions with Alberta soccer authorities about finding ways for their reserves to get more real game time.

The team confirmed that three more players won’t be back for 2017 — fullbacks Adam Eckersley and Johann Smith, plus midfielder Gustavo.

Eckersley was a regular starter at left back for the Eddies in 2016, and was responsible for taking many of the set pieces. Left-footed fullbacks and wing players are like gold in the modern game.

“There was no doubt that Eck was probably the best left back the club has had in its history,” said Miller. “He was a terrific player for us. But the financial package was just too great for the club’s budget.”

Miller said the team has already signed a replacement at left back, a player he said has been a captain of his European side.

Smith was used as a depth player over the last couple of seasons. The former Toronto FC player offered a speedy option on the wing but wasn’t a player who could find his way into the everyday lineup.

Gustavo was brought in last season and scored maybe the nicest goal of the Eddies season, a 30-yard lightning bolt in the dying seconds of a fall season game at Rayo OKC that allowed the visitors to escape with a tie. But he was often used as a sub to offer a change of pace late in games.

 

New CONCACAF Champions League to feature 31 teams, but still only room for one Canadian club

The new, revamped CONCACAF Champions League will feature 31 teams, but there is still no room for more than one Canadian team at the inn.

On Monday, the confederation unveiled the format for the revamped regional club championship. Sixteen teams — 12 from Central America (not including Belize) three from the Caribbean and a club from Belize —  will play a series of preliminary rounds.

The winner of that “Phase 1” competition joins 15 other teams — four each from Mexico and the United States, five Central American sides, one Caribbean side and the lone Canadian representative — in the final group of 16, or “Phase 2.”

The group-stage format is toast. In both rounds, teams will be eliminated, Cup-style, in home-and-away aggregate series.

Canada provides a real issue for CONCACAF; our recognized national championship is the Voyageurs Cup. How well a Canadian club does in USL, NASL or MLS has no bearing on Champions League qualification. In the eyes of the region, the Voyageurs Cup is a more important trophy for a Canadian team to win than MLS Cup.

And, because we have no recognized top-flight league of our own, our “championship” is currently comprised of just five teams; Montreal Impact, Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps, FC Edmonton and the Ottawa Fury. Based on the fact that just five teams play in our national competition, it’s hard to hand Canada more than one spot.

But, if you look at regional successes over the past several years, Canada has done exceptionally well. The Montreal Impact went to the CCL final in 2015; Toronto FC went to the semifinals in 2012. Based on performance, Canada surely deserves another spot.

So, there are two sides to this argument.

Now, the hope is that when Canada has its own league — and the Canadian Premier League hopes to launch in 2018 — then the conversation changes. Instead of squabbling on how we compete for a single spot, we need to have a conversation with CONCACAF about affording Canada at least a second position in the regional competition.

Ideally, winner of Canadian Premier League and winner of Voyageurs Cup each get spots. it would be counterintuitive if we worked so hard to create our own league and didn’t dangle the carrot of CONCACAF qualification for the winner. And, as the Canadian Soccer Association’s mantra has been that it would not step on the toes of the pro clubs that pre-date CanPL, they would still have their chance to qualify via the Cup.

But, for now, it’s one.