Steven Sandor's Blog, page 80
February 12, 2016
Trafford on his move to Miami FC: From hesitancy to enthusiasm
Mason Trafford
Mason Trafford was on vacation in southeast Asia when he got word from his agent that Miami FC was interested in acquiring his services. The NASL expansion team’s technical staff had identified the Canadian defender as one of the top defenders in the league, and wanted to pry him loose from the Ottawa Fury.
“I was hesitant at first,” Trafford said over the phone. “I was still fully committed to Ottawa, despite all of the changes that were happening at the team.”
But, the lure of being able to work under the eye of Miami FC coach Alessandro Nesta, one of the best defenders to ever play the game, was awfully powerful. And, Trafford was flattered that someone of Nesta’s calibre had looked at NASL tapes and identified the Canadian as one of his targets.
“I was one of the guys they really wanted; they wanted to bring me in. And when it comes from someone like Nesta, one of the best to ever play the position, it’s flattering.”
And then he saw that Miami FC didn’t want to be just another expansion team. It wanted to make a splash. Trafford made the move; Miami FC purchased him from the Fury, he got a new deal with his new club, and now he plays on a team that also includes ex-FC Sion midfielder Adailton and Honduran national-teamer Wilson Palacios.
Trafford was part of an Ottawa team that won the fall season and fell in the final to the New York Cosmos; he was sent off in that game. Before the season ended, though, coach Marc Dos Santos announced he was leaving; he was replaced by Paul Dalglish. But, the team was inundated with transfer requests, the NASL is filled with Fury diaspora. In Ottawa, it’s a question of who’s left — and the Fury is arguably a bigger question mark in 2016 than any of the expansion sides save Puerto Rico.
“I have nothing but positive things to say about Ottawa,” said Trafford. “They were very good to me and, in the two years I was there, we really built something special. But I am not going to lie; when the team is dismantled, it makes it easier to move on. A lot of the players, my good friends, had moved on. And so the emotional connection to Ottawa isn’t as strong. It’s not as strong an emotional connection if I would go to camp and only know a handful of guys.”
Looking forward, he knows he can offer Nesta some options. He’s comfortable at both left back and centre back — and being left-footed, well coaches are always on the lookout for solid left-footed players. And even though Nesta is still working to master his English, Trafford said the coach has no problem engaging his players.
“There isn’t really a language barrier. He’s not super confident in English, but he can speak. And, when he speaks, everyone listens. He doesn’t need to shout.”
And there’s another perk: When he trained in Miami on Friday, the temperatures were warm. He’d heard from friends in Ottawa of temperatures nearing -20 C. That part of Canada is under an extreme cold-weather warning from Environment Canada. So maybe it’s not too inaccurate to call Trafford a soccer snowbird.
February 11, 2016
Jay Ball is FC Edmonton’s new general manager
Jay Ball, left, with FCE owner Tom Fath
FC Edmonton’s staff say that newly announced general manager Jay Ball will take the next couple of days to assess his new surroundings before making any major statements to the media.
So, for those wondering “who is Jay Ball?” I can offer a little bit of fill-in-the-blanks. I first met Jay in the mid –‘90s, when I was the publications coordinator (a fancy term which meant I was the editor of the team magazine and fan newsletter) with the Edmonton Oilers. He’s been a press-box fixture at Oilers games for more than 20 years.
I have come across him in his time as the president of Junior Achievement (a spot he held for 11 years). He was also a big part of the marketing teams for the 2015 Women’s World Cup matches held at Commonwealth Stadium and cycling’s Tour of Alberta. He was the director of the ticket community program for the 2012 World Hockey Championships.
Before placing any quotes from a press release, I will say this: Jay is plugged in to the corporate community; I often see him at many charitable/community events in the city. His goal with FCE won’t be to handle players — that’s coach Colin Miller’s job, to make the player personnel decision. The new GM will be judged on how he engages a fan base in Edmonton that has only truly packed 4,500-seat Clarke Field a couple of times in this team’s history . He will be judged on if he can increase FCE’s presence with Edmonton’s corporate community.
Jay is a think-big kinda guy, the kind of guy that says “why not” rather than “why?” He sees Edmonton as a major-market city, not a second-tier place. That’s why, when Edmonton has an opportunity to host a major global event, you can find him, building bridges towards potential sponsors and helping devise ways to drive ticket sales. In a city that’s often discounted by others as a place where there’s a)hockey b)hockey c)more hockey, he’s helped get events off the ground that don’t have to do with whacking a puck around a sheet of ice. But, of course, understanding the hockey market and being around that culture definitely helps when trying to sell other sports in Edmonton (and, likely, other parts of Canada, too).
Of course, he takes the job when Alberta is suffering economically because of oil prices that have burrowed down to less than US$30 a barrel; and Alberta producers tend to get less than the market rate. The oil industry that Alberta’s economy is built on is shedding jobs and profits. But, at the same time, Edmonton is undergoing billions of dollars of new development, including the new downtown arena, office tower that will be Canada’s tallest building outside of Toronto, and new hotels needed to fill demand.
“I’m fortunate to be involved with FC Edmonton and to work with this energetic group of athletes, fans, and staff,” Ball said in a release issued by the club. “And I’m looking forward to keep building links to the Edmonton soccer community. I understand the sports world, I know the game and I’m excited to learn more and develop our front office team.
“The added benefit of this role is that I’m so deeply embedded in our community, I know the people within the corporate world very well,” Ball added. “I’m eager to jump in and help our front office immediately to boost our group sales and corporate relationships.”
February 10, 2016
FC Edmonton’s challenge: Not only improve the squad, but keep up with NASL’s rising standard
FC Edmonton’s second day of training camp — and the first held before the media — offered the first chance to see all of the team’s new signings.
With goalkeeper Nathan Ingham, defenders Pape Diakite and Adam Eckersley, midfielders Nik Ledgerwood, Gustavo Salgueiro and striker Jake Keegan in the fold — coach Colin Miller has made a lot of moves to re-make the Eddies, as the team looks to make the NASL post-season for only the second time in team history. And it’s not done; Miller said another signing will likely be announced in the next couple of days.
But, while the Eddies have made many changes, how will they stack up against the rest of the league? We have seen an influx of players into NASL, and the quality of play looks to be improving year after year. If someone has an idea of what it took to get to the playoffs in 2015, that standard is likely higher in 2016. Miami FC, Fort Lauderdale Tampa Bay, and Minnesota (including the signing of FCE’s top scorer from last year, Lance Laing) have all been making major moves.
And that’s the challenge for NASL teams; they not only have to thing about what areas need to be bolstered, but they also have to understand that the level of play I 2016 won’t be the same as it was in 2015.
“The NASL, now, for sure is the strongest that it’s ever been, other than the old NASL I played in — the dinosaurs, it seems that long ago,” said Miller after FCE’s session at Commonwealth Fieldhouse. “Certainly there’s been a lot of movement within the league because we’ve got three new franchises. Of course, there will be a lot of announcements that way. But the money that’s being spent now within each club is fantastic.
“And we have to keep up with the Joneses, here. We have to compete. And we’ll do that, no question about it. But I’m actually delighted with what clubs are doing here at the moment. Every team is raising the bar. You go on the NASL website and this club has brought in this player and this club has brought in that player. And, a lot of them are genuinely difference-makers in games. And we’ve brought in the same thing here.
“The Cosmos, of course, they’re the leaders. Minnesota have always been high spenders in the league. Tampa Bay have definitely thrown some money at their franchise as well. Indy have changed coach, Oklahoma, the list goes on and on.”
Keegan was one of the first off-season signings announced by the Eddies. The American striker, who most recently played in Ireland’s top flight, said he’s been almost overwhelmed by the number of players coming into the league.
“Every single team, it seems, has new signings,” said Keegan. “There’s a guy who played in the Champions League last year [Fort Lauderdale’s Matheus Carvalho]. Every team is getting big signings. And I saw this post yesterday that attendance for the NASL is the fifth-best or sixth-best out of second-tier leagues in the world. I didn’t really realize it. It’s a second-tier league, but it’s a very good league and I am looking forward to being part of it.”
Miller admitted that a poor spring is the big reason that FCE has fallen short in its chase for a post-season spot in each of the last two campaigns. Now, a big part of the poor spring is a roster that has been stretched by the commitments of league and Amway Canadian Championship games. But, Miller said that the signings and returning players will combine to form the deepest roster the club has ever had.
“There was a method in how we went about it,” Miller said. “There was a thought process of, positionally, what we wanted. And we now have two players for every position in this club. Three, including the goalkeepers. That is a terrific first-team squad. There is no dead wood with the club. So, there’s no player here in this group that will not be considered as a first-team player.”
Corea may have big roles to play for FC Edmonton and El Salvador in 2016
Dustin Corea is seen in action for FC Edmonton against the Jacksonville Armada PHOTO: TONY LEWIS/FC EDMONTON
When Canada played El Salvador to a 0-0 draw in a World Cup qualifier last November, Dustin Corea was arguably the best player for the home side. He created chances for the El Salvadorans and had a couple of very good looks at goal.
Corea’s El Salvador side sits three points behind Canada for second place in their CONCACAF group. Each of the four teams in the group — which includes Mexico and Honduras — has four games left to go. The top two sides get spots in the Hex.
Of course, Corea believes El Salvador can get one of those two spots. But he can’t be too vocal about it. After all, he plays his club soccer at FC Edmonton.
“Down here in Edmonton, I can’t really say much about it!” laughed Corea after the Eddies’ training-camp session Wednesday at Commonwealth Fieldhouse. “I might get my head chopped off by the gaffer and some of the guys here. But I want my team to qualify.”
But Corea has a more immediate goal in front of him; to continue to progress and realize his potential as a player who can be an NASL game-changer. Corea signed before the start of the 2015 fall season and became a regular on the right wing for FC Edmonton. He started 14 games, scored once and set up three more. But he got a lot of balls through to the net and showed flashes that he could become one of the dominant wing players in the game. He loved to come in off the right wing and shoot with his left foot.
With the Eddies losing winger Lance Laing, who signed as a free agent with Minnesota United, Corea’s learning curve might have become a little steeper. Laing scored eight times and added seven assists in 20 games played for the Eddies in 2015; in the 10 games he missed, the Eddies won just once.
Can Corea replace some of those goals and assists?
“He has that potential,” said FCE Coach Colin Miller. “If you’re going to be an international player, I expect an international standard. And he’s got a ways to go yet, we know that, he’s still a relatively young player. He’s well thought of within the El Salvador setup. He has to bring consistency now. And I’ve spoken to him, it’s not anything I haven’t said to his face; he now has to have an end product. If he’s going to be that type of player, which is an attacking player, a creative player, he has to have that end product. That’s a good cross that sets up a goal, a final pass that sets up a goal, keep us in possession, or a free kick or a corner-kick delivery. If he can get to that sort of standard, and if I get him working or we get him working on defending properly and fitter, I think there’s a terrific player in there.”
And Corea doesn’t see himself as the next Lance Laing.
“Of course, Lance Laing had great numbers here at the club,” Corea said. “So, to fill his shoes will not be easy. But, for me, it’s more of ‘what I can do.’ I’m not a Lance Laing. He was quick, he can do things with the ball, crossing-wise, shooting-wise that not many guys in this league can do. But I will just play like I’ve been playing my whole life, with the national team, and here. I want to help Edmonton get to the championship. Hopefully the gaffer looks for me on the wings, if it’s the left or the right, hopefully it’s something where I can show the team my worth.”
Corea will look to impress at training camp, which includes a March trip to Scotland. Then, it will be back across the pond and a likely recall to El Salvador, which faces Honduras twice in late March — at the same time Canada will be playing home and away to undefeated, first-place Mexico. The tables can change dramatically after those games.
“It’s going to be a tough game against Honduras,” said Corea. “But they’re not going through a great phase. With the team we had, we were missing six key players with the national team, and what we showed against Canada is that we can give a fight to anybody in the group we have right now. It’s not going to be easy for Canada against Mexico out there, hopefully we get those six points we really need and hopefully expect a different result for the Canada-Mexico games.”
As for Canada, this is what Corea thought.
“I saw them once in the Gold Cup and I saw them again in the qualifiers. It’s a little bit different going down to El Salvador and playing on a surface you’re not accustomed to, playing in front of people that are yelling or throwing things at you. For them, it must have been a little bit tough. What I saw was not the same Canada I saw in the Gold Cup, it was a little bit different. But they have some key players that move the team, that like to keep the ball down on the ground. But, this is qualifiers, anything can happen at any moment.”
Anything can happen? How about Canada stunning Mexico? El Salvador sweeping Honduras? Somehow, Mexico flaming out, with Canada and El Salvador taking the two spots in the Hex? It would help Corea keep his head.
Miller wishes Boakai well, but promises FCE “won’t stop till we get” fees
Hanson Boakai
FC Edmonton Coach Colin Miller wishes Hanson Boakai success as the former Eddie looks to move across the ocean. But he hinted that FCE will make sure that the club looks after its own interests when it comes to collecting fees for developing the teenager.
Boakai became the youngest-ever player to enter the field for an NASL game back in 2013, and has been a key part of Canada’s U-17 and U-20 sides. Now 19 and out of contract, he and his agent chose not to accept an offer from FCE. Boakai has been linked to a move to Croatian side Hajduk Split.
Boakai was with FCE’s first team from 2013-2015, scoring one NASL and playing a total of 651 minutes. But he’s likely best known to Canadian soccer followers for a series of wonderful performances against the Ottawa Fury and Montreal Impact in the 2014 Amway Canadian Championship.
Even though Boakai is a free agent, Miller made it clear that he believes FCE would be owed developmental fees by Hajduk Split because the player rose from the club’s academy ranks.
“Hanson was free to do what he did,” said Miller. “He was terrific for us. He’s decided to move on, the club had made a terrific offer for him to stay. He’s gone from us and we wish him well. He’s come through our academy and we’re after our fee and we won’t stop till we get it, simple as that.”
When pressed if there have been any issues in terms of getting Hajduk Split to agree to pay the fees, Miller declined to comment further on the matter.
February 9, 2016
Diminishing returns: Canadian numbers in NWSL continue to drop
It’s the law of diminishing NWSL returns.
In 2013, when the U.S.-based league launched, the Canadian program used all 16 of its allocations that it had negotiated to get in the league. The Canadian Soccer Association subsidized the players salaries — while the Canadian players would get guaranteed roster spots.
In 2014, Canada had planned to use all 16 spots, but Desiree Scott chose to leave the league for Notts County and Selenia Iacchelli failed a pre-season physical. National women’s team coach John Herdman chose not to replace them — so, in the end, only 14 of 16 allocations were used.
In 2015, a Women’s World Cup year, Canada used just 13 of the 16 spots.
On Monday, Canada announced the NWSL allocations for this year. And it’s down to 11. Despite the fact that NWSL has 10 teams — two more than it did in 2013 and therefore more roster openings — our number of allocations is at an all-time low. These 11 include youngsters Janine Beckie, Sabrina D’Angelo, Shelina Zadorsky and Josee Belanger; as well, Scott has made the decision to return to NWSL.
So why only 11?
In 2014, when Herdman decided to leave two allocations unclaimed, he caused as much of a firestorm as he’s ever caused since taking over the Canadian women’s program. “At this stage, we don’t have that depth of talent,” he said back then. “My commitment is to put the best Canadian players in that league, and I can’t make that commitment at this point.”
Herdman is playing it closer to the vest this time — and he should, with Olympic qualifiers kicking off Thursday in Houston. He’s not making any public pronouncements on why the NWSL allocation number is at its lowest level yet. But, the CSA has confirmed that it still has 16 allocations at its disposal.
So why the drop? The program also needs to ensure that if it’s subsidizing players, that they’re getting significant minutes throughout the NWSL season. If a player is on the sidelines, is that a good use of resources? On the flipside, some will argue that even being a depth player is good for a Canadian’s development —that having the chance to train at high levels will help in the long run.
But, the deep underlyinh question is: Is there really only enough room at the inn for a total of 10 teams to take 11 subsidized Canadian players?
The allocations:
Houston Dash
Janine Beckie
Allysha Chapman
FC Kansas City
Desiree Scott
Orlando Pride
Josée Belanger
Kaylyn Kyle
Portland Thorns FC
Christine Sinclair
Washington Spirit
Stephanie Labbé
Diana Matheson
Shelina Zadorsky
Western New York Flash
Sabrina D’Angelo
Adriana Leon
February 8, 2016
If Montagliani succeeds in presidential bid, it would continue CONCACAF’s Canadian shift
CSA President Victor Montagliani with Canadian women’s national team defender Emily Zurrer at a jersey unveiling event in 2015.
It could be a groan-inducing grade-school-level joke.
How can Victor Montagliani be the best president CONCACAF has ever had? By not getting arrested.
On Monday, Montagliani confirmed what had been rumoured ever since the most recent CONCACAF president, Alfredo Hawit left the job in handcuffs. Hawit’s alleged actions followed CONCACAF presidents Jeffrey Webb and Jack Warner, who have been charged with so many bribery and fraud counts that “alleged” could be their middle names.
But, if Montagliani was to win the presidency — and his candidacy is backed by the Canadian Soccer Association — it would only grow to this country’s efforts to grow its presence in the region. Canada’s Sonia Denoncourt had been charged with helping improve the standard of CONCACAF refereeing; some cynics would say she had been in charge of actually creating a standard for CONCACAF refs (for more on Denoncourt, see the current issue of Plastic Pitch; details below). But Denoncourt and CONCACAF parted ways in mid-January.
Scotiabank has taken over as the title sponsor of the CONCACAF Champions League.
The CSA released a statement Monday saying it backed Montagliani’s bid.
“The Canadian Soccer Association Board of Directors fully supports Canada Soccer President, Victor Montagliani, in his candidacy for CONCACAF President. President Montagliani has been instrumental in building a leading soccer nation for our country and we look forward to the potential for him to have the same impact on the international stage.”
Currently, the CONCACAF rules allow for someone to be both president of the organization and be the head of his or her national federation. So, as it stands, Montagliani could serve as both the CSA president and hold the CONCACAF office a well. But sources in the CSA said that upcoming CONCACAF reforms may change this policy. So, when it comes to the question of whether Montagliani can hold both jobs at the same time — the answer is a solid maybe.
Montagliani is serving on FIFA’s 13-member reform committee.
“I think we have found a balance,” he said of the reform committee’s work (CLICK HERE). “In football, success is all about finding balance, whether its on the field or off the field.”
Last May, he broke with what had been CSA tradition of supporting corruption-plagued then-president Sepp Blatter. As Canada had benefited greatly from FIFA in the past (earning the right to host the 2007 U-20 World Cup, the 2014 U-20 Women’s World Cup and 2015 Women’s World Cup), our national association had been unapologetic supporters of the FIFA old guard. And, with FIFA nudging Canada to bid for the 2026 World Cup — and Montagliani declaring this country’s intent to do just that — the bonds looked to be deep.
But Montagliani went public in his opposition to Blatter in 2015 saying that it was the right thing to vote against the old guard; and he did so despite knowing that it was that very same old guard which had served Canada so well.
Montagliani has also been clear about the need for Canada to have its own “Division 1A” and has been clear that we must do better to create job opportunities for Canadian players, coaches and management staff. And, when he came in as president in 2012, he has worked to rebuild what was basically a broken relationship with the United States Soccer Federation and Major League Soccer.
“Until two to three years ago, the relationship was non-existent,” Montagliani said last year (Plastic Pitch, Issue 5, CLICK HERE). “Basically, we were a foregone conclusion to our friends from the south. But we have strengthened our relationship, first with the USSF, and now we have better relationships at the MLS level, and the NASL level. Our relationships are improving but, remember, it’s been just two or three years.”
He has been vocal in his criticisms of the MLS/NASL policy where Canadian players are treated as domestics on Canadian teams but are considered foreigners on American teams, while Americans are treated as domestics on both Canadian and American teams. He has said that the CSA’s experts disagree with the MLS assertion that it’s a labour-law issue.
Since coming as president in 2012, Montagliani has been vocal about Canada’s interests in the global game. But, compared to dealing with Canadian Soccer Association affairs, cleaning up CONCACAF is a mountain. Hey, maybe it’s time to move the CONCACAF offices to Ottawa. Or Yellowknife.
FC Edmonton signs Senegalese defender Pape Diakite
Pape Diakite
FC Edmonton will open training camp this Wednesday the Commonwealth Fieldhouse, and on hand will be the team’s newest signing, Senegalese central defender Pape Diakite.
The team announced the signing Monday afternoon.
Last season, Diakite played 25 matches for Royal Antwerp FC of the Belgian second division. But he hasn’t played there since April of 2015; he was sent off in his final appearance for the club, a 2-0 loss to Lommel United. It was the only time he saw red all season.
“I’m excited to work with Pape,” FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller said in a release issued by the club. “I know and played with his agent for many years. He spoke incredibly highly of Pape, the level he has played at means that he will come in and add some strength, depth, experience and quality to our centre back area. It puts more players under pressure to perform week-in, week-out. The competition now for places with the addition of Pape makes our back four complete.”
The move now maxes out FCE’s seven international roster spots allowed by NASL rules. Diakite joins internationals Adam Eckersley, Albert Watson, Daryl Fordyce, Tomi Ameobi, Gustavo and Ritchie Jones. While Sainey Nyassi (Gambia) and Dustin Corea (El Salvador) have played for those respective national teams, they have U.S. paperwork and therefore count as domestics.
February 5, 2016
Crepeau the bright light in Canada’s loss to the USA
Canada’s Tesho Akindele lines up against American Mix Diskerud in Carson, Calif. Friday night. PHOTO: CANADA SOCCER
It wasn’t hard to find the man-bites-dog angle in the United States’ 1-0 win over Canada Friday in Carson, Calif.
The friendly was decided just before the 90th minute, thanks to a perfect cross from Ethan Finlay that found the head of Jozy Altidore, who simply overpowered Canadian fullback Sam Adekugbe in the penalty area. The irony is that Finlay had been the subject of some will-he-play-for-Canada speculation over the past couple of years — and Canadian coach Benito Floro admitted that some overtures had been made to the American-player-with-Canadian-lineage.
Minutes after coming on as a sub, Finlay provided the goal for Altidore — who, had he been shooting straight, would have easily had a hat trick.
With Friday not being an official FIFA international date, neither Floro nor U.S. national-team coach Jurgen Klinsmann had anything close to a full-strength lineup at their disposals. Floro gave debuts to central defender Steven Vitoria — recently repatriated from the Portuguese program — and goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, who both started.
Crepeau was brilliant. But Vitoria’s play was troubling — not showing Canadian soccer supporters signs that he could become a starter when Canada faces Mexico in a pair of World Cup qualifiers in late March. In fact, Vitoria’s flat-footed play was, in many cases, the unfortunate catalysts for Crepeau’s brilliance.
Early in the first half, Altidore collected a pass in the Canadian penalty area. Vitoria was goal side, but he was simply brushed aside by the American forward, and the Canada was lucky to see Altidore’s strike crash off the post. Vitoria was also caught out of position on an American break, where a pass from Gyasi Zardes found the much-hyped new Seattle Sounder, Jordan Morris. The American phenom’s chip went just wide.
Crepeau also made excellent saves on Zardes, Altidore and Brandon Vincent; all three had great looks from inside the penalty area.
Altidore also had an open header (after Vitoria lost his mark in the penalty area) that he put well wide. Even though the Toronto FC striker scored the winner, his wasteful play certainly won’t earn him a lot of rave reviews from Reds supporters. With as many open looks as he had, he should have brought back a return of well more than one goal.
But, let’s be clear; this was a game that allowed Floro to look at the fringes of his depth chart. Wandrille Lefevre and Vitoria — who were the centre-back pairing in the first half — only didn’t yield a goal because of Crepeau and sloppy American forward play. We simply didn’t see enough of Jamar Dixon, who also made his debut as a second-half sub, to judge him fairly. Adekugbe got caught in a mismatch with the much bigger and stronger Altidore. Doneil Henry came in and had to play as a fullback – not in the middle where he should be more effective. Second-half subs Issey Nakajiama-Farran and Iain Hume — veterans who have given a lot to Canada in their careers — aren’t the future of this team.
So, is it bitter to lose to the Americans? Sure. But does it tell us a lot about the Canadian team ahead of the big pair of games against Mexico? Not really.
PLASTIC PITCH 8 IS NOW OUT — FEATURING OUR LOOK AT THE CANADIAN DOLLAR AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR FCE, OTTAWA FURY, THE IMPACT, WHITECAPS AND TFC. VISIT OUR SHOPIFY STORE!
February 4, 2016
Trafford sold to Miami FC, takes package that “justifies” his market value
Mason Trafford
On Thursday, NASL expansion side Miami FC announced it had brought Canadian defender Mason Trafford into its ranks. His agent confirmed that Miami FC had purchased the defender and then inked Trafford to a new two-year deal.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Mason (and his fiancée, Claudia) to establish himself with an ambitious club,” Trafford’s agent, Justin B. Stone, was quoted on his site. “This was a bittersweet situation for Mason as he really enjoyed his time in Ottawa, especially developing relationships with the Fury fans and local community, but Miami FC aggressively pursued Mason and created a package that justified Mason’s market value as one of the best defenders in NASL. Having represented Mason from his first professional contract to the present, it is a great testament for him to have Italian legend Alessandro Nesta seek him out to be a leader on defence.”
Nesta, the famed Italian defender who finished a decorated playing career with the Montreal Impact, will coach Miami FC in its inaugural season.
Trafford finished second overall in our Quintessentially Canadian Power Rankings; that is, of all the Canadians playing in MLS or NASL, Trafford got the second-most minutes of first-team game action.
Fury opponents scored just 15 times in the 25 games that Trafford played in 2015.
“There was a buyout clause in Mason’s contract that Miami activated and he will now be wearing different colours at TD Place on May 1,” said Fury head coach Paul Dalglish in a release issued by the club. “Mason is not a player we wanted to lose, but we wish him well and thank him for his involvement with the club and the community during his two seasons in Ottawa.”
Trafford’s departure continues an exodus of Fury players (and coach Marc Dos Santos, who now leads Sporting Kansas City’s USL affiliate) who won the NASL Fall Season title and went to the NASL Championship game. Sinisa Ubiparipovic, Tom Heinemann, Colin Falvey, Drew Beckie, Ryan Richter, Richie Ryan, Nicki Paterson and Andrew Wiedeman were all part of the exodus. A weak Canadian dollar (the Fury, like FCE, pays out salaries in Canadian dollars) has helped contribute to the Fury’s difficulties in holding onto players — though it needs to be stated that FC Edmonton has not had the same kind of issues when it comes to player turnover.
Trafford was sent off in the NASL championship game, so his suspension should carry over into the beginning of the 2016 season.
PLASTIC PITCH 8 IS NOW OUT — FEATURING OUR LOOK AT THE CANADIAN DOLLAR AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR FCE, OTTAWA FURY, THE IMPACT, WHITECAPS AND TFC. VISIT OUR SHOPIFY STORE!
