Friday’s 1-0 victory over Panama in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying was a big win and a giant step forward for not only Canadian Soccer - but the culture of the game in this country. Even beyond the game itself, which was amazing and the events surrounding it (Honoring the Bronze medal winning Canadian Women’s team etc…) will long live in the memory of many supporters.
All of this is great, and I wish I could stop there, but there is one major issue that bothers me. As a matter of fact, it angers me. It has to do with grassroots/youth/lower tier soccer leagues choosing to schedule games on Canadian National Team dates, instead of reserving that time to watch Canada try and accomplish a goal that hasn’t been met since 1986.
One of the biggest offenders of this is the Canadian Soccer League, with them having done this on at least one other occasion during the last round of Canadian National Team qualifying during the 4-1 victory over St. Lucia. They played a match at Lamport Stadium after all of the festivities moved to BMO Field. In my opinion, this basically sends the message that “We don’t care”. They have not learned their lesson this time around having scheduled three matches with one taking place once again at Lamport Stadium, which is within walking distance of BMO Field, while another was involving TFC Academy at Downsview Park.
Although the CSL takes is fair share of criticism, and in many cases it’s justified, I try to highlight some of the good thing the league has to offer. However, when they turn around and do things like this I take it as complete disrespect both personally and to the work we all do to advance, promote and grow the game of soccer in this country.
To have a game going on literally five minutes away from where your Canadian Men’s National Team is playing, in what was largely considered the most meaningful game within the City of Toronto and for soccer across the country, is a huge insult and completely contradicts what CSL spokespeople say in press conferences, articles etc… about their interest in growing Canadian Soccer. The fact that recently elected CSA President Victor Montagliani called it “unacceptable” on the latest edition of Sportsnet’s The Soccer Show and saying “I’ll personally make that phone call myself” speaks volumes and I truly hope he followed through or intends to follow through on that.
Playing a game at Lamport Stadium is one issue, however, what might even be worse was having TFC Academy play at Downsview Park. Unlike the other teams in the league that aren’t affiliated with professional clubs, TFC Academy and Montreal Impact Academy for that matter shouldn’t and don’t care about winning the CSL Championship as a top priority. The number one priority at all times is developing future players for club and country.
In my opinion someone within Toronto FC should have either A) Requested the game be rescheduled for another date (something I’ve seen done for events and situations much less meaningful) or B) If the league refused than decline to play the game and take whatever punishment they hand out. I’d have to think if option A was brought to the league they would have rescheduled, but even if that isn’t the case and TFC Academy was to be docked 3 points that’s a small price to pay.
Here’s the way I see it, at the end of the day it’s about what scenario would help player development most? Is it playing in one of what are easily 20+ games during a season, a game that could easily be rescheduled? Or seeing their Canadian Soccer heroes play in a meaningful soccer game with major implications and honoring one of Canadian Soccer’s biggest accomplishments in the Bronze medal winning Canadian Women’s Team?
This is an issue that NEEDS to change NOW if we are to grow the Canadian soccer culture, as in the long run it hinders all of the significant strides we’ve all been making. If the true goal of leagues like the CSL is to grow future Canadian soccer players then those players need to see their heroes play and be part of the Canadian Soccer movement, as those are eventually the type of games these players will want to take part in themselves.
If rescheduling a game for another day is all it takes that it’s a very small price to pay in order to grow something much larger.
Update: Sept 10, 2012 - Release from the Canadian Soccer League
The CSL cares about the Canadian national team and its progress in the World Cup. The CSL cares about Canada’s women and takes pride in their recent Olympic achievement.
The CSL has remained staunchly Canadian, having declined entry requests by teams from New York State and Michigan over the years.
The CSL and other leagues in Canada have been embroiled in controversy for many years over the question of avoiding a clash with important games involving the Canadian Men’s World Cup team, the Canadian Women’s team, the Canadian Olympic team and other attractive games such as the FIFA U-20 World Championship games of 2007.
Canadian leagues, including the CSL, appear to take a first position of trying to avoid a clash if an important national team game is scheduled and their first position may favour the cancellation of all games. Then reality takes over.
In the CSL, Friday night is the most popular time period for some clubs and there are only so many Fridays to accommodate their home games. Other leagues have similar congested schedule considerations.
A number of games in the CSL and other leagues were played on September 7 when Canada defeated Panama in a World Cup qualifier.
The CSL considered the impact of playing their three games would be minimal and would not compromise the league’s overall support to Canada’s bid for World Cup qualifying. The three games were scheduled early in 2012, the CSL accumulated various commitments for these games, including a televised game commitment in Toronto – for tape delay the following Sunday.
The CSL league office was not requested by the clubs involved or any member club to postpone a game scheduled for September 7.
It’s a discretionary decision balancing many considerations and the CSL will review its position of September 7 and will continue to consider carefully all upcoming important national team games with a view to providing enthusiastic support including the cancellation of games if necessary, as long as there are sufficient benefits to the Canadian national team game in doing so.
Kamal Hylton is Owner/Freelance Soccer Writer at Hylton Sports Media,
he specializes in covering Youth Development in Canada and the
CONCACAF Region as well as European leagues such as Bundesliga, Serie A and UEFA Champions League. Follow him on Twitter to view all
his work.
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