With Kevin Payne’s firing from Toronto FC last week one of the biggest issues regarding his performance was his and other MLSE executives’ failure in player development and a lack of club depth during the 2013 season, as well as in preparation for the 2014 season. Part of these depth issues was based on recruitment, but Toronto's player development in 2013 also has to be questioned. So far this season their first draft pick (3rd overall) Kyle Bekker has only played 145 minutes, second pick (16th overall) Emery Welshman has only played 5 minutes, while supplemental picks (who I thought were well chosen by TFC) Ashton Bennett, Jose Gomez, Nik Robson and Taylor Morgan were all released by the club with very little opportunity.

This highlights another step that is needed in properly developing an MLS club and that is taking advantage of the loan system and creating a direct relationship with a USL Pro club. The idea of an MLS reserve league is another unrealistic idea that is talked about and sold by many when discussing the future of the league. Many of the reserve teams in European leagues are actually "B" clubs and in countries such as Spain, France, Germany and Holland these "B" teams play a complete season schedule against professional first team clubs. While in England, clubs play a traditional Reserve League, but also have an Academy League, Cup and International tournaments, so players can still play over 30 games in a season.

In comparison, as of early September, Toronto FC has played five reserve games this season including two of those games against USL Pro side Pittsburgh Riverhounds, which the reserve team drew one and lost one. In the same period of time the Riverhounds played 29 total games (league, cup, playoffs) and by taking advantage of direct relationship with a USL Pro club it would allow players such as Kyle Bekker, Emory Welshman, Gale Agbossoumonde, Logan Emory (waived), Stefan Frei, more valuable playing experience, or a chance for a greater look at the supplemental picks that Toronto let go so quickly.

Eastern conference rivals Sporting KC, Philadelphia Union, New England Revolution and DC United are the only clubs to take advantage of this relationship with USL Pro clubs in 2013. Kansas City, Philadelphia and New England’s player development success and depth have shown so far in the clubs’ 2013 performances. While DC United are in full rebuilding-mode, trading veterans and adding young talent including players such as Kyle Porter, Conor Doyle and Luis Silva. Based on this and the success stories of loaned players in USL Pro, these clubs should also have the most options going into 2014 season.

The greatest evidence of success has been Sporting KC’s relationship with Orlando and the success of striker Dom Dwyer. Dwyer was drafted 16th overall by Sporting KC in 2012 and played only one game for a total of 4 minutes. He was loaned to Orlando this season and has scored 15 goals in 13 games, which led to KC recalling him and he so far has played 10 games with Sporting this season and scored his first career MLS goal. Sporting KC have also loaned Orlando Christian Duke who played 21 games, Jon Kempin who played 9 games as the reserve keeper and Kevin Ellis played 4 games, and they loaned out CJ Sapong who joined the Lions for game time well trying to rehab from an Injury.

DC United have a relationship with Richmond who won the regular season title and they loaned Richmond the 2013 USL Pro Top Goalkeeper award winner Andrew Dykstra, as well as 17-year old homegrown player Michael Seaton who played 14 games, scoring 4 goals. Conor Shanosky, Casey Townsend, and Taylor Kemp were also loaned to Richmond during the season playing a number of games for both Richmond and DC. Finally, Houston’s 2012 draft pick Brian Ownby also joined Richmond on loan and became a key contributor, playing 19 games scoring 7 goals and adding 5 assists.

Harrisburg had a relationship with the Philadelphia Union who loaned the Islanders four players: Don Anding, Greg Jordan, Jimmy McLaughlin and Cristian Hernandez. All four players played significant time for the club, who finished the regular season in 4th, with McLaughlin playing 23 games (scoring 5 goals), Hernandez played 20 games (4 goals and 4 assists), Anding 15 games and Jordan 12 games with both players scoring one goal.

The New England Revolution have a relationship with the Rochester Rhinos and record-wise they were the only disappointment, and only USL Pro team with a relationship to a MLS club not to make the playoffs. New England Revolution's loaned the Rhinos Bilal Duckett, Matt Horth, Gabe Latigue, and Tyle Polak. Duckett played 19 games, Polak 18 games, Horth 16 games and Latigue 16 games. Other players who joined USL Pro teams on loan who were not part of the official relationship, including Vancouver Whitecaps player Bryce Alderson who played 15 games with Charleston, while Columbus Crew forward Aaron Horton joined the Los Anegles Blues for 5 games during the season.

Budget-wise these players are one of Homegrown players, Generation Adidas Player (neither count against a team’s salary cap), players recovering from injury or players signed at league minimum contracts with the option of being called up when needed by their MLS club. The idea basically follows the traditional North American model in development with a minor league system, which in my view should be the system that MLS fully utilizes instead of the unrealistic idea of a reserve league.

Like the college system, MLS needs to take advantage of traditional North American sports models adapted in other sports and in many ways are more successful than what is traditionally used in soccer. A USL Pro/NASL club will have a very hard time surviving under the traditional soccer model as the MLS doesn't buy players and very few players in North America are sold elsewhere.

If we are going to create a soccer culture in North America having 50 or so funded teams (the MLS sides and their potential farm clubs) will surely help with this development. Until this time comes, Toronto FC should make sure they are in arrangements with a USL Pro team next season, or even Ottawa's new franchise in the NASL.

PS/Footnote: On Saturday, Orlando won the 2013 USL Pro Championship 7-4 over Charlotte. Dom Dyer was loaned to Orlando for the game by Sporting KC and scored a hat-trick. Charlotte’s side did not include any players on MLS contracts, but has some interesting players that MLS clubs should look at this off-season.

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.You can find updating stats regularly at ENBSports.