Oldtimer
09-29-2009, 03:06 PM
Like the Sounders, the Whitecaps intend to build their MLS roster from the existing USL squad.
“We’re running parallel paths,” said Lenarduzzi. “We won’t be focusing solely on MLS till we conclude next year’s USL-1 season, but the idea would be to try to have as many players from that USL roster make up our MLS roster for the start of 2011. We can use Seattle as a pretty good example. They have six players that were carry-overs from their USL-1 team that are still on their MLS roster. Ideally we’d like to at least have that number and hopefully more, and that will depend on our recruiting for next year, which will start as soon as we’re done with this USL season and we’re currently in the playoffs.”
“As far as where the players will come from, we’re scouting in other parts of the world,” said Lenarduzzi. “If you look at the success of Seattle, a lot of theirs’ has been a result of the imports they’ve brought in, they’ve all done well for them - Montero, Hurtado, Osvaldo Alonso was a USL1 player last year, he came from Cuba. They won the Open Cup, which was great to do in their first year and that brings with it qualification for Champions League next year, which is great from a playing perspective and they’re getting crowds in excess of 30,000.”
http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/ussoccerplayers/2009/09/lenardruzzi-at-work-in-vancouver.html
So his plan, like Seattle's, is to bring in quality players before they have to follow MLS roster restrictions.
A good article, which covers the broader strategy of bringing a USL club into MLS.
“We’re running parallel paths,” said Lenarduzzi. “We won’t be focusing solely on MLS till we conclude next year’s USL-1 season, but the idea would be to try to have as many players from that USL roster make up our MLS roster for the start of 2011. We can use Seattle as a pretty good example. They have six players that were carry-overs from their USL-1 team that are still on their MLS roster. Ideally we’d like to at least have that number and hopefully more, and that will depend on our recruiting for next year, which will start as soon as we’re done with this USL season and we’re currently in the playoffs.”
“As far as where the players will come from, we’re scouting in other parts of the world,” said Lenarduzzi. “If you look at the success of Seattle, a lot of theirs’ has been a result of the imports they’ve brought in, they’ve all done well for them - Montero, Hurtado, Osvaldo Alonso was a USL1 player last year, he came from Cuba. They won the Open Cup, which was great to do in their first year and that brings with it qualification for Champions League next year, which is great from a playing perspective and they’re getting crowds in excess of 30,000.”
http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/ussoccerplayers/2009/09/lenardruzzi-at-work-in-vancouver.html
So his plan, like Seattle's, is to bring in quality players before they have to follow MLS roster restrictions.
A good article, which covers the broader strategy of bringing a USL club into MLS.