PLASTIC PITCH 10 — Does parity in MLS hurt or help the league’s growth? 15 Sep 2016 We notice more interest from our readers when we try to tackle a big topic over the course of several stories — and issue 10 of Plastic Pitch fits that bill. The MLS standings are always clogged, and 12 of 20 teams (60 per cent) make the playoffs. The No. 1 seed rarely goes on to win MLS Cup. Does …
Intelligent design 15 Sep 2016 Because Designated Players take up such a large chunk of a team’s salary-capped budget, conventional thinking is that an MLS club can either spread the wealth and have depth, or invest in star players but accept the consequences of having a thin roster. But, Toronto FC General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko is trying to prove that a team can have the best of both worlds
The parity paradox 15 Sep 2016 For years, Major League Soccer has seen more parity than most other first divisions you’ll find anywhere in the world. But do close playoff races and the lack of super-teams make for a larger fan base?
Canadian soccer president confident that MLS, NASL roster reform to come in coming months 14 Sep 2016 Canadian Soccer Association president Victor Montagliani says he’s confident that we’ll see reforms made to roster rules in both MLS and NASL before the end of the year.
Man disadvantage: TFC now up to eight dropped points when opponents see red 27 Aug 2016 TFC and its supporters can look to three matches this season where the Reds were up by a man — or men — for long periods… and didn’t win.
Levis a fit for the Whitecaps: CIS product makes the MLS jump 23 Aug 2016 Levis is not the first CIS product to play in MLS. Right now, University of Montreal product Wandrille Lefevre is playing for the Montreal Impact. And he’s not the sole Husky to play pro soccer. Paul Craig played with FC Edmonton in NASL.
Canadian defender Didic makes Sporting Kansas City debut in CCL 17 Aug 2016 On the same day the Eddies announced that a deal had been reached to send academy prospect Amer Halilic to German side TSV Wacker 90 Nordhausen, Amer Didic, another FC Edmonton product, made his Sporting Kansas City debut.
Whitecaps forge new partnership in Alberta: FC Edmonton gave thumbs-up to deal 9 Aug 2016 On Tuesday, the Whitecaps announced a new partnership with the Alberta Soccer Association that will include an academy located in Calgary. But it needs to be stated that, before this deal was stamped, both the ASA and the Whitecaps informed FC Edmonton of their intentions — and FCE gave the plan its support.
Ingham loaned from FCE to TFCII: A sign of more to come? 5 Aug 2016 There were some hints dropped Friday that suggest that the loan of Canadian keeper Nathan Ingham from FC Edmonton to TFCII could be the beginning of something greater.
Travel woes: MLS needs to find ways to help away teams become more competitive 4 Aug 2016 Five MLS teams — a quarter of the league — have yet to a record a road victory. Six more have just one road win each. Put that together, and 11 of 20 teams — 55 per cent of the league — have zero or one home win each in 2016.