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Posted by
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January 10, 2013 |
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Aaron Nielsen
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@ENBSports
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In anticipation for the upcoming 2013 MLS Draft, Canadian midfielder Kyle Bekker and four other college seniors were recently given guaranteed MLS contracts. Toronto FC midfielder Luis Silva was given the same contract last year and according to the MLS union was paid $79,000 for the 2012 season.
I think including a Canadian in this process is a good thing for Canadian Soccer, as I have mentioned my concerns for how Canadians are treated in the MLS in my last couple of articles.
That said, I do have some concerns regarding Bekker’s ability to succeed in the MLS. For the last four seasons Kyle played on a disappointing Boston College side where he played 80 games while scoring 16 goals and adding 17 assists in an attacking midfield role. He was also responsible for all dead play situations, which included free kicks and corners. Of these stats, he only scored one goal and had four assists during his senior season, which could be taken as a sign of the player’s career not progressing, which along with his position creates some concern in judging if he has a role in the MLS.
Historically attacking midfielders out of college have performed poorly at the MLS level because Major League Soccer teams usually employ a DP or foreign import to play these roles, especially on set plays. Again, Luis Silva is a recent example of this common occurrence. In college he produced a greater statistical output because of the opportunities that he was given at the collegiate level. He was not given as many opportunities at the pro level and, although he performed adequately, Toronto would have been much better off if they had drafted a defender like Barry, Hedges or even Jean-Baptiste.
If my concerns regarding Bekker's potential pro career are true, what this contract shows is a greater need for Canadian players playing at the NCAA level to provide the MLS selection committee a greater pool to choose from. Although that being said, I hope Bekker’s deal is a sign to the Canadian
youth development sector that there are opportunities for Canadian based players and that it is now realistic for a young Canadian soccer player to earn a living from a game that they love to play.
Aaron Nielsen has worked within the soccer/sports industry for over 15 years. His statistical analysis brings the beautiful game in a whole new light. The detailed player data and prospect lists he produces are used by many scouts, agents, and football insiders around the world.
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