Nuke Soccer - Team America Reborn In Toronto

Courtesy Bill Ault, CanadaKicks

Expect Toronto FC to add a star to their jersey in 2008 and perhaps a hit of blue striping as well. The star emblematic around the world of championships won will in this case not be reflections of achievement on the field but along with the hint of blue a nod to the Americanization of Canada’s only Major League Soccer side.

From MLS Announcement yesterday:

During the 2007 season, teams were allotted seven international spots per team, four Senior International and three Youth International slots, with the exception of Toronto FC who were awarded seven Senior International slots (three of which could be used only on domestic US players) and five Youth slots. Each team has been awarded one additional international player slot, the distinction between Youth International and Senior International has been removed and all international player slots will be tradable. Toronto FC has been awarded two additional international player slots, which they may use only on domestic U.S. players.

With the rule changes announced yesterday by the league Toronto FC is now capable – if we’re reading all the roster regulations correctly – of fielding 15 internationals in their line-up in 2008. A third of those, five, would have to be U.S. domestic players or at least U.S. resident status.

It appears that Mo Johnston has found the answer to his major complaint of last season – that there were just not enough quality Canadian players available to round out his roster – at this rate he won’t have to field any. It probably also explains why most of the Canadian players on his roster were exposed during the recent expansion draft and there was little effort to retrieve Chris Pozniak lost in the draft to San Jose – Toronto FC will be replacing them in 2008 with internationals from elsewhere.

This leaves Canada’s only Division One level soccer franchise of being in the rather awkward spot of having more Americans than Canadians in their line-up and with Jim Brennan being the sole Canadian that will likely be a regular starter. Not exactly what the Canadian Soccer Association likely had in mind when they helped Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment bring the first MLS franchise north of the border.

Now I’m on the record as saying players should have to earn their way on to a professional roster no matter where they are born that after all is what competition is all about and what most, if not all, players at this level would expect. But is it just me or does it not seem a little strange that five Americans are virtually guaranteed spots on a “Canadian” franchise but Canadians are guaranteed none?

Would it have really been that difficult for MLS or Toronto FC to designate at least one or two of those domestic U.S. player spots to Canadian players and at least pay lip-service, like the rest of the country, to the development of Canadian talent.

Hopefully the academy program recently announced by the club – and originally scheduled for more in depth explanation at a since postponed press conference today – will go a long ways to eventually bringing some Canadian talent into the team. The reality is that academy’s at the highest level do well to produce one or two players every couple of years for the first team even for the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United so expecting this route to fill Toronto’s roster is little more than wishful thinking.

What does it all mean? It means Mo Johnston has no more excuses – if anything according to the rules Toronto FC has access to a greater talent pool, the world, than any other team in the league. Given that advantage there can only be one expectation even for a second year team – “Just win baby.” Nothing else given the circumstances is acceptable.


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