[shermanator]

Originally Posted by Slava

The root of the problem in Canada for soccer is the same as it is for rugby and a number of other sports. Our best athletes play hockey. We could have an amazing rugby team, soccer team or whatever else. All of these sports and any that approach an elite level demand a serious time commitment (amongst other things) from its athletes. That means kids are forced to make a decision at a relatively young age as far as which sport they want to play. I know of friends kids who are good soccer players and playing year-round 4-5 days a week at 12-13 years of age. Hockey is the same.

So yeah, coaching isn't going to fix it. Supporting the minor leagues isn't really the root issue either. Its about getting a legitimate pro-league set so that these kids have a serious option when they make the decision of whether they want to dedicate that time and effort to the program.

This is a good point, which I did touch on briefly. Being a pro football has to become an attractive career option to those with the talent in this country to choose to focus on soccer. That said, the biggest argument I hear against a legitimate domestic league is that people won't come out to see it because it's not the Premier League. Which kind of goes back to my earlier point about supporting local.

Originally Posted by GirlySports

but in the end, isn't it ontario dominated like sherminator said earlier?

I didn't say that? Think you may have meant browna.

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

Unfortunately, I think we're still going to need to wait another generation or two, which is what we've been saying for years obviously, but I really do think youth soccer is taking the right steps. Of course I can only speak for the local clubs, but we do have some of the best in the country, and those running these clubs are good soccer minds and are really committed to bettering Canadian soccer.

Of course, that's not even getting into the CSA, who has been poorly run for decades now. I'd like to see them get more involved with some of the grass roots programs, such as Foothills. Foothills is doing great things, show them some support. Ugh, I could go on and on...I'd just like to see a Canadian team in the WC in my lifetime.

Trying not to be a homer here but IMO Foothills are the leading youth club in Western Canada (not counting the Whitecaps who will get the cream of the crop). They also seem to be the only ones willing to get dedicated facilities built. We need to clone Tommy about 50 times and spread the clones across the country.

Originally Posted by Matty81

Bottom line though, it is way better today than in the 90s after the CSL folded. 3 A-League teams in the major markets was it for the whole country, no academies or decent reserve teams.

If that new CSL ever gets started there will be lots of seeds in the ground.

I would agree, but unfortunately it's only baby steps right now. Our competition in CONCACAF are making the same leaps which is why we can never seem to catch up.