TFCII and WFC2’s early Can-con shortage not an issue for the CSA By Steven Sandor Posted on March 31, 2017 Comments Off on TFCII and WFC2’s early Can-con shortage not an issue for the CSA 0 917 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter On the opening weekend of the USL season, neither WFC2 or TFCII came close to meeting their Canadian-content requirements. Both teams bubbled just under the 270-minute mark when it comes to time played by Canadians. Under Canadian Soccer Association requirements, the reserve teams of the MLS sides have to give playing time to Canadians equivalent to six players out of their starting XI. Or, to put it in straight math, 540 minutes per game. The CSA confirmed Friday that those requirements haven’t changed with USL’s move from Division-3 to Division-2 status. But it did state that these are “reserve roster” rules, as in, applying to reserve teams. So, when it comes to the Ottawa Fury, which is an independent affiliate of the Montreal Impact, well, that’s a different kind of animal. In a response to questions posed by The 11, Canada Soccer had this to say about the opening weekend’s low Canadian-content numbers. “The reserve roster CANCON rules are in place to help ensure meaningful minutes for Canadians. “In 2016, the clubs met the standard and purpose as outlined by the rule: FC Montreal — approximately 90 per cent of available minutes to Canadians Toronto FC II — approximately 60 per cent WFC2 — approximately 56 per cent “After one game, Canadians played less than 25 per cent for Vancouver and TFC. The ultimate goal, as above, is minutes for Canadians over the course of a season. The rules were designed to provide a minimum to the teams so that they could achieve this target. Circumstances will often dictate that some flexibility will be needed — injuries, first-team call ups, international absences, etc. The international break and youth events over the weekend, Canada’s U23 camp and Senior match in Scotland, injuries, and the MLS weekend off for both TFC and VWFC due to the break were all contributing factors we find acceptable.”
