Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang
I'm a big supporter of Canadian soccer as well, but I don't have a problem with the Whitecaps and their lack of Canadians for the time being. They're a club team, and their number one goal needs to be to succeed on the pitch, regardless of the nationality of their players. Success on the pitch will translate into establishing their fan base, and let's face it, generating revenue. That revenue can then be reinvested into player development.
The most important thing that the Canadian MLS club can do (and are doing) is to establish academies to actually develop Canadian players. Those players will hopefully move on to careers at home and abroad, which will improve the Canadian national program more than signing any current national team player simply on the basis of him being Canadian.
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I agree in the frustration that the Whitecaps are not playing Canadians. They do however have 4 Canadians under 22 on the roster this year, all who came through the academy, and 2 on the MNT. Teibert will see some time, and Clarke will as well. Still a long way to go, but much better than their first year.
I'd say that's better development than Montreal, who have an aging midfielder who just retired from the MNT, a backup centre back, and two academy players who won't see a minute on the pitch.
TFC may be a horrible team, but they've drafted and developed young Canadians and given these Canadians actual minutes. Morgan, Bekker, and Dunfield will see lots of action this year. Henry, Welshmen and Stinson will see minutes as well. In the last 2 MNT games, TFC had 5 players play for Canada.
Hell, DC United has 2 MNT regulars and a third who just made his debut....