Intrinsically Canadian Power Rankings, MLS Week 2 By Steven Sandor Posted on March 13, 2017 Comments Off on Intrinsically Canadian Power Rankings, MLS Week 2 0 870 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Tosaint Ricketts Toronto FC created a bit of a stir this past weekend, when the Reds started no Canadians for Saturday’s road date in Philadelphia. Of course, it’s more than a little ironic that Toronto FC starts no Canadians, considering how vocal team president Bill Manning has been regarding the Canadian Premier League. A Canadian league has yet to be formally announced, but Manning has taken to the mic to warn any potential CanPL investor of the dangers that come with trying to compete with Toronto FC for fans in Canada’s largest market. (Of course, a city of Toronto’s size in Europe or South America would have many pro teams within its limits.) Yes, the soccer market is different in North America; leagues cede territorial rights to investors in order to protect attendances and, more importantly, broadcast rights. Of course, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment has been solidly against a second NHL team for Toronto, so Manning not wanting TFC to have to give up any of its potential market share to a CanPL side is at least a consistent stance. What doesn’t help Manning’s case is when Toronto FC, which has more MLS years in its history than the Vancouver Whitecaps or Montreal Impact, starts an all-foreign lineup. It doesn’t really allow for TFC to have any sort of moral authority when it talks about the CanPL. But, because of an injury to Sebastian Giovinco, Canadian Tosaint Ricketts got into the game as a sub before halftime, and Jonathan Osorio came in late in the match. Here is the list of minutes played in MLS so far this season: MLS MINUTES BY PLAYER, THE CANADIANS Patrice Bernier, Montreal, 133 (2) Tesho Akindele, FCD, 101 (2) Alphonso Davies, Vancouver, 90 (1) Will Johnson, Orlando, 90 (1) Ben McKendry, Vancouver, 90 (1) Russell Teibert, Vancouver, 90 (1) Cyle Larin, Orlando, 74 (1) Jonathan Osorio, TFC, 74 (2) Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla, Montreal, 50 (2) Tosaint Ricketts, TFC, 45 (1) Wandrille Lefevre, Montreal, 9 (1) TEAM RANKINGS, MINUTES PLAYED BY CANADIANS IN 2017 Orlando City, 164/1 (164) Vancouver, 270/2 (135) Montreal, 189/2 (94.5) Toronto FC, 119/2 (59.5) FC Dallas, 101/2 (50.5)
