TFC Academy Player on Trial At Rapids

[sashavukelich]

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...smith-colorado


That developmental slot is seemingly open for Toronto’s Josh Janniere. The 18-year-old wide midfielder is currently a member of Toronto’s Academy, but he went on trial with the Rapids earlier this year. The Canadian has already been exposed to the Rapids’ preseason camp and Smith said he will be inviting Janniere back.

“The fourth apprentice slot, as it were, is open,” Smith told MLSsoccer.com. “We are bringing Josh back into camp. We’ve all been very pleased with what we have seen with him. All things being equal, there is a place open for him if it works out.”

[Damien]

Not sure how he's allowed to, but MLS should set up some kind of anti-poaching rules.

[Nodoubtguy]

Not sure how he's allowed to, but MLS should set up some kind of anti-poaching rules.

pretty sure TFC would have to permit him to go....right?

[Ossington Mental Youth]

youd think unless hes been released or something

[DichioTFC]

I think trailing is okay, but signing him would mean TFC gets compensation.

It's a smart move by the Rapids, poaching from other academies can be worth it (see: Wenger, Arsene)

[Ossington Mental Youth]

if he gets picked up, i hope hes crap

[Ossington Mental Youth]

also wonder why hes not having a go here

[rocker]

when MLS was tight with academy players a few years back, I always thought that opening up the system and encouraging it would be good for all MLS teams. MLS was afraid of certain teams dominating development and getting an unfair advantage (MLS is worried about any unfair advantage) but I felt that no team could use lots and lots of academy players. Some would have to leave the team that developed them and move to other MLS teams... which would help the MLS teams that couldn't invest in big academies.

[TFCwestcan]

Makes you wonder if any other clubs are watching the academy kids play.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

when MLS was tight with academy players a few years back, I always thought that opening up the system and encouraging it would be good for all MLS teams. MLS was afraid of certain teams dominating development and getting an unfair advantage (MLS is worried about any unfair advantage) but I felt that no team could use lots and lots of academy players. Some would have to leave the team that developed them and move to other MLS teams... which would help the MLS teams that couldn't invest in big academies.

Thankfully this has changed as there has to be some competition involved and there's greater benefits to the league/countries with each club having greater academies rather than just a few who are often poached.

[Damien]

Makes you wonder if any other clubs are watching the academy kids play.

yeh definitely! our academy seems to be progressing better than most in the mls... fc dallas also seems to be producing as well!

[[NBF]]

I think trailing is okay, but signing him would mean TFC gets compensation.

It's a smart move by the Rapids, poaching from other academies can be worth it (see: Wenger, Arsene)

Funny Colorado Rapids have some sort of affiliation with Arsenal.

Colorado Rapids: The Modern Era (2007-present)
New head executive Jeff Plush had taken over the business responsibilities of the club when he was named Managing Director in January 2006. One of his main initiatives was to re-invent the club with new colors that meshed with the DNA of other KSE clubs, in the form of burgundy and blue, leading the way towards constructing the world's largest and most state of the art professional soccer stadium and fields complex, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, formulating club-to-club relationships with Arsenal of the English Premier League and Pachuca of Mexico, and ushering in a new era of optimism.
The Rapids business-wise enjoyed a fantastic inaugural year at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, hosting numerous international exhibitions, tournaments on the stadium's 24-field complex, and the 2007 MLS All-Star Game; on the pitch though the team's performance was less than ideal.
The team started out strong with a series of good results, including a fantastic 2-1 victory over DC United in frigid conditions on MLS First Kick and the first-ever event in the newest soccer stadium in America. Herculez Gomez went down in history as the first-ever player to score in the Rapids' brand new shining jewel of a stadium. However as the season progressed, the team endured a long winless streak that saw them sink in the standings. Colorado struggled with inconsistent results at the end of the season and ultimately finished just shy of a playoff spot. The major low points in the season included an embarrassing 5-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, and a crushing defeat to Real Salt Lake that saw them lose both a playoff berth and the possession of the Rocky Mountain Cup for the first time ever in the last game of the regular season. One of the club's few consolations of the season on the pitch was winning the MLS Reserve Division Championship for the second consecutive year.
Despite underachieving on the field the previous year and protests from the fans, the Rapids elected to honor Fernando Clavijo's contract, which runs though the 2008 season.
Heading into 2008, Rapids GM Charlie Wright and the front office staff bolstered the roster by adding depth to the midfield and defense. Major signings included Christian Gómez and Jose Burciaga Jr. The 2008 season saw a resurgent Rapids side, which started off the season with a complete thrashing of David Beckham and the LA Galaxy by a 4-0 score on Opening Day to launch the season. However, an inconsistent mid-season stretch where, for 13 games,[1] the Rapids could not win 2 games in a row or lose 2 in a row, saw Clavijo resign from the Head Coach position for personal reasons, and saw Gary Smith, an assistant coach who came from the Arsenal F.C. system, take over on an interim basis with 11 games left in the season. Under Smith's direction, the Rapids surged back into the playoff race, including two key away wins, only to fall short of the playoffs in the last game of the season, against rivals Real Salt Lake. Salt Lake tied the Rapids 1-1 in the 90th minute of that game to eliminate the Rapids from playoff contention.[2] Because of the signs of improvement shown in the last 11 games, Smith was hired as the head coach.
The 2009 campaign featured head coach Gary Smith in his first full season.[3] Smith took over the reigns from Fernando Clavijo as interim manager after Clavijo resigned for personal reasons. Smiths first appointment was Steve Guppy ex England International as his assistant, Guppy had spent the previous successful season at USL1 team Rochester Rhinos as their Player Assistant Coach. Shortly after, Rapids veteran midfielder Pablo Mastroeni re-signed with the club for four years after mulling potential offers from Europe.[4] The Rapids also signed new four-year contracts with midfielders Colin Clark and Nick LaBrocca and defenders Jordan Harvey and Kosuke Kimura.[5] The Colorado Rapids did acquire former QPR and Chicago Fire goalkeeper Matt Pickens to replace fan-favorite Senegalese goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul. The other major roster move included the arrival of Ivan Guerrero from DC United in exchange for midfielder Christian Gomez and backup goalkeeper Mike Graczyk.[6] The media criticized the Rapids for not making more roster moves to improve the team for the 2009 season. However, the core of the team remained intact.[7]
The 2010 campaign featured many roster moves that saw the likes of Danny Earls, Jeff Larentowicz, Claudio Lopez, Quincy Amarikwa, Ian Joyce, and Wells Thompson join the club. The offseason also included a new contract for star forward Conor Casey. The Colorado Rapids also excited many of the ultras supporter groups by the creation and construction of a unique supporters terrace within Dick's Sporting Goods Park.[8] During the summer transfer window, the Colorado Rapids signed academy youth player Davy Armstrong, and brought in defender Anthony Wallace from FC Dallas. Colorado also sent Mehdi Ballouchy to New York Red Bulls in exchange for Macoumba Kandji and acquired Brian Mullan from Houston Dynamo in exchange for Colin Clark. With these changes the Colorado Rapids secured a playoff spot as one of the wild card teams on October 16 when the Kansas City Wizards lost to the New England Revolution. On November 13, the Rapids hosted the San Jose Earthquakes in the MLS Eastern Conference Championship. The Rapids advanced to the MLS Cup with a 1-0 victory over San Jose. This marked their first visit to the MLS Cup since 1997. In the final, the Rapids were down 1-0 at half time, but thanks to a Conor Casey goal in the 2nd half, and an FC Dallas own goal in second overtime, The Rapids won their first ever MLS Cup.

[Roogsy]

I don't really mind. If Toronto has not extended a contract to the kid then why should he not be allowed to seek employment? It's up to Toronto to give the kid a contract if he is good enough and if he isn't, then we really shouldn't worry about him going elsewhere. Let's remember, these are kids trying to establish themselves and earn a living.

[drewski]

if he gets picked up, i hope hes crap

I always want to see Canadian players do well cause it means a)the academy is doing its job well, and b)better Canadian players means better hopes for the CMNT.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

I don't really mind. If Toronto has not extended a contract to the kid then why should he not be allowed to seek employment? It's up to Toronto to give the kid a contract if he is good enough and if he isn't, then we really shouldn't worry about him going elsewhere. Let's remember, these are kids trying to establish themselves and earn a living.

sounds about right to me. i guess im just hoping that WE dont see anything in him enough to keep him around and thats why hes down there rather than hes been lured down there and we havent had a chance to gauge him

[Southsider]

Funny Colorado Rapids have some sort of affiliation with Arsenal.

Shocking! Has to do with the Owner they share maybe?

See;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stan_Kroenke