It has been long debated that a viable professional soccer league would never work in Canada. It is common sense to assume that the national program will never improve until the CSA (Canadian Soccer Association) gets serious and finds the funding needed to develop from within its borders. This is not an overnight project that will generate results immediately, it will take time to turn a profit but the sport will finally get the chance to thrive in this country. For a professional league to truly work in the Great White North there has to be a collective brought together that focuses on development at the grassroots level instead of making money. Hard to imagine this information will be a selling point to potential investors.
I was glad to hear there is actually a consortium of sorts looking into creating a potential division two professional league in Canada. Naturally no one should be under the illusion of competing with Major League Soccer, but a feeder program could actually be installed that would help develop young Canadian players and help them progress to the next level. The plight of players in this country has gone on long enough, many show tremendous potential but find it impossible to develop their skills after passing a certain age. From three to sixteen it is quite easy to find a club, but after that the notion of making this a career ceases to exist. There is no help given to promote our youth and they are left stranded to fend for themselves, alone with their hopes and dreams. Sweet sixteen brings on a whole new meaning to our Canadian hopefuls.
Forced to make a choice of pursuing their dreams abroad, or hang back and try to make a breakthrough in the many amateur or semi-pro leagues around the country, the majority who stay never get the chance to fully develop and end up playing in Sunday leagues, clinging to that childhood dream of making it big. Even the ones who attempt to go abroad the choices are minimal, with their passports working against them as clubs overseas are unwilling to use up a precious import spot on a Canadian. The lower the FIFA ranking the less attractive your prospects become in the soccer world, and the less likely chance a team is going to take a risk on our youth.
Germany has always provided an avenue for Canadians, Paul Stalteri earned a Bundesliga title in 2004 with Werder Bremen, becoming the first Canuck to achieve this feat. More recently it is home to current Canadian internationals Kevin McKenna (Cologne), Rob Friend (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Marcel de Jong (Augsburg). Scandinavia has also provided an outlet. Atiba Hutchinson plied his trade in Sweden and Denmark before making the step up to PSV in the Netherlands.
The lower tiers of English football have more recently become an option. Iain Hume is currently with Preston North End, his fourth club across the pond. But Simeon Jackson is the best example of hard work and dedication. Working his way up the lower tiers, he has finally made it to the top-flight with Norwich City. But for each positive story there are thousands of negative ones. I have witnessed first hand plenty of wasted potential that has never been given the opportunity to harness those raw abilities. Sunday leagues from coast to coast are littered with good players who could have made it but lacked the options to progress further.
The major markets (Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal) have already laid down a foundation in the MLS which has made it difficult to sell the idea of a professional league in this country to investors. Each club has set up academies, moving in the right direction for player development. TFC have now started to see some of their academy graduates make the jump to the first team, with Ashtone Morgan, Matt Stinson and Doneil Henry all seeing playing time under Aron Winter.
If the idea is to create a D2 pro-league it makes perfect sense to include the B squads from the three MLS clubs. It gives them the chance to play regularly against home grown opposition, similar to the model being used in Spain and Germany. From there, bring FC Edmonton into the mix by pulling them out of the NASL. The league is governed by the USSF (United States Soccer Federation) and is considered the second tier in their soccer pyramid. The Montreal Impact will be leaving for the MLS at the end of the current season, with Ottawa being awarded a franchise for 2013 or 2014. Instead both Edmonton and Ottawa should be a part of Can Pro D2 and be governed by the CSA, not a foreign federation that allows only a minimal percentage of input when owners vote on league endeavors.
The next step is attracting the smaller markets. Places like Halifax, Quebec City, Calgary and Victoria all have the potential to house franchises. In Ontario, the population is tremendously multi-cultural with many nationality's that consider soccer their number one sport. Etobicoke, Mississauga, Brampton and North York would all be perfect destinations. Each has stadiums already in place, only needing minor refurbishments to increase capacity. Even Woodbridge has potential to own a franchise. The area's Italian population would thrive at having a franchise and would truly get behind the idea, but you have to be realistic. The league will not be getting crowds in the tens of thousands, needing to start small and slowly expand. Build the brand slowly and the results will follow. Seating capacity should be five thousand at most, promoting from within the vast soccer community, giving the next generation hope for the future.
This is a big project that will need a wealthy investor to guide the project through the early growing pains. Funding has always been the issue whenever discussion of a pro-league surface because of the sheer size of the country, transportation becomes the major sticking point. Teams would have to potentially fly to each coast with the cost being an issue. But you need everyone on board working together in order for this to work. Excluding anyone based on their geographical location would only backfire. For this to work you need the idea to be supported coast to coast, with each region given the opportunity to field teams. Money will be tight at first. Do not expect the federal government to entertain the idea of assisting and funding a sport which is the most played within its borders.
Soccer in this country has been set up to fail right from the start, never having a solid foundation to build from. I'm not under the illusion that it will ever be the most watched sport, but the interest is obviously there. Now a proper structure needs to be put in place to sustain and develop it. The CSL (Canadian Soccer League) would have to be absorbed, with only some clubs possessing the necessary resources needed, but each would be given the opportunity to have a seat at the table. Can Pro D2 would become the feeder program to the country's MLS teams, helping our youth take the next step, but also establishing strong roots for the future.
Imagine how interesting qualifying for the Canadian Champions League would become, with more teams being added to the pot. It could turn into our country’s version of the FA Cup, with the winner advancing to the group stages of the CONCACAF Champions League after a grueling knockout round. The current format of the competition is rather dull and needs a make-over. We need more clubs to be given the chance to participate.
Look how many quality players have been lost to other federations because of the lack of choices given to them by the CSA. Owen Hargreaves left for Germany at sixteen, out of options and looking to develop his skills abroad, later choosing to play internationally for England. Jonathan De Guzman left the country at twelve to chase his dream, signing for Feyenoord’s youth academy. How can you blame him for wanting to play the Netherlands over Canada, after all they are the ones who took the time and made him into the player he is today, currently playing in the Champions League with Villarreal, all his hard work and sacrifice is finally being rewarded.
This is the unfortunate trend that has plagued the national team. David Hoilett is the latest Canadian contemplating his international future. He signed for Blackburn’s youth academy at thirteen but had to spend time in Germany to gain experience and a work permit to play in England. The list is endless. Is it fair for Canada to ask for loyalty despite having no part in transforming them into true professionals? The time has come to do right by our players and loyalty to this country will cease to be a decision but rather a definitve choice worth making.
Check back next week for a new edition of The Unfit Referee
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