NEW CANADIAN LEAGUE
The Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) remains bullish about forming a new Canadian league to foster talent for Canada’s men’s national team.
While details remain few and far between, it’s believed the CSA is targeting 2018 as its launch date.
In the meantime, TFC president Bill Manning and MLSE chairman Larry Tanenbaum will meet with CSA officials, including president Victor Montagliani, later this month to discuss the proposed league.
Toronto’s top brass told the Sun earlier this year they were largely in the dark as to how the so-called “Canadian Premier League” might impact Major League Soccer. But it appears they’re about to find out. “Opportunities for more Canadian players is something Toronto FC wants to support,” Manning told the Toronto Sun last week. “We just have to figure out how we can be involved.
“Is it the right model? Is it some kind of hybrid with the USL? We want to have those conversations and be supportive of it. If the CPL is going to go forward, we want to be involved.”
Additional CPL teams in Toronto and Hamilton have been rumoured. Proposed salary caps have been bandied. Yet, the CSA hasn’t provided much — if any — information.
“I don’t want to create confusion in the market place,” Manning said. “I told Victor we want to be involved and want to be at the table when this league or division comes about.”
Manning later added: “It’s not a competitor to MLS.”
The question, though, is what the CSA wants it to be.
Having MLS affiliation would undoubtedly give the CPL a minor-league feel.
“If we can provide for our young players coming up and (TFC) can put a team in that league, we’re interested,” Manning added
MLSE (TFC) Involvement in CPL?
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