Chad Barrett unleashed a force which is a sportsblogger’s (writer’s) dream today.  Not only did he produce 2 goals against the Chicago Fire, he produced instant corny material to be used in titles for articles.

On a more serious note, the performance put on by Toronto FC today was a combination of luck, hard work and a bit of skill.  This is exactly what teams need to produce points that will carry them to the finals.  The old saying goes, “You need to be good to be lucky and lucky to be good.”  Unfortunately for Chicago, the Windy City’s premier football club did not fare so well in the fierce winds of Lake Ontario.

In a very short summary:

Toronto FC was both as Nick Labrocca put one in during the 24th minute with the very helpful wind when he attempted to cross the ball into the box.

The first half ended 1-0 for Toronto FC.

The start of the 2nd half saw substitute O’Brian White score to make it 2-0 on a beautiful Toronto FC play which ended with a very ugly finish.  But as goals go…they all count, ugly or nice.  Chicago Fire SC hit back immediately with Logan Pause’s rocket (also wind aided) from well outside the 18 yard box.  Stefan Frei never stood a chance.

Finally, the oft-criticized (and praised from his backers) Chad Barrett netted a brace (for the uninformed, a pair of goals) to round out the 4-1 score for Toronto FC.  The first of which came off of a pass from sophomore substitute O’Brian White and was finished by Barrett with a cool composure which has so often been lacking during his stay in Toronto.  The second came off of a beautiful pass from Dwayne De Rosario combined with fluid movement from Chad Barrett.  Again, Chad Barrett was calm as he finished what was an easy goal (but he has missed many times in the past).

Barrett played one of his best games in a long time and appears to be developing into a quality player under Preki.  De Rosario had two assists during the game (White, Barrett).  Toronto FC, again, looked completely different than the club which plays on the road.

The Chicago Fire will look to improve their performance from this unfortunate match as they move to take on the Kansas City Wizards.

Toronto FC will look to improve its road record as it makes the short trip up to Montreal for the Champions League Qualifier and Canadian Championship, as they attempt to win the Voyageurs’ Cup for the 2nd year in a row.

Next match for Toronto FC: L’Impact du Montreal – Toronto FC (Voyageurs’ Cup, May 12th)

Next match for Chicago Fire SC: Kansas City Wizards – Chicago Fire SC (Major League Soccer, May 15th)

Notes: Terry Vaughn had a terrible game with blown calls on both sides of the ball. Blown set piece calls against Toronto and an obvious penalty was missed which could have made the game closer for the Chicago Fire.

TFC Academy played Portugal FC after the TFC-Chicago Fire game in the Canadian Soccer League season opener.  TFC Academy won 1-0.

But he is a good player in the English Premier League, and a poster boy for American soccer.

So if he is a good player in a vastly superior league to Major League Soccer, and a poster boy for American soccer, why should he stay abroad?

The answer is quite elementary and is both good for himself and American soccer (and MLS is not synonymous with American soccer).

Right now, Landon Donovan will gain nothing in terms of skill from playing in the EPL, contrary to some claims that his fans make.  No, Donovan has probably already peaked.  His personal gains will be found in better pay and the opportunity to test himself against the other players in the league

And his benefits for American soccer can be found in the same way.  A consistently strong Landon Donovan can erase stereotypes which are held against American soccer players abroad.  Instead of seeing American players benched (or playing reserve football) when they make moves overseas, we could see an era of where the American player is treated equally with those of soccer majors. Benefits can also be found at home. In Major League Soccer, his salary money can go to bringing up an American potential, or several American potentials, for that matter. Essentially, a Donovan move opens spots for younger players, who haven’t peaked yet, to play higher division football.

However, a permanent Donovan move to the EPL is probably bad for Major League Soccer.  Unlike some authors, I have no illusions about the so-called “Good For Major League Soccer because it will attract other players here” argument.  The reality of the situation is MLS will still be looked down upon with disdain.  Treated as a private joke, perhaps, but not viewed as a place to develop your game.  The main negatives that will be found will be with the fact that the United States’ best player is no longer playing in the league and this is no longer a TV or attendance draw (although the ‘metrics of it might show that he never was in the first place).

But what is best for American soccer is more young players playing a higher tier of football, with the mature, developed players, playing abroad, and not taking up spaces for Americans on teams that are below their [the players] calibre.

AC St. Louis Fills A Big Gap

Professional Soccer has often been a spottingly available product across North America, and MLS, as a Premier Division, cannot fill the gaps by itself.  This is where USL has often filled in, in the past, although USL has often been perceived as small market, for good reason in many cases. The reformed NASL aims to change that.

The North American Soccer League 2.0 (Special Edition, Director’s Cut, etc) has stepped up where USL had failed previously.  While many of the teams in the NASL remain small market teams, there has been some significant progress made, specifically with regards to the new clubs entering the league (St. Louis, Atlanta, Tampa and a jumped up Baltimore).

Major League Soccer and USL had previously failed to succeed, or even enter, in certain major markets in the United States and Canada. In all of the cases of folded teams, we have numerous examples in the wasteland which is the southeastern United States, and of course, “Western Canada” (read as Alberta).  In the case of non-starters, we have St. Louis, among others.  But regardless of case, the reason for failure has largely been due to poor business plans.

It seems that NASL seeks to learn from the mistakes made by both the MLS and the USL.

Evidence can be found with the new club in Edmonton, known at this point as FC Edmonton (a name which I hope they keep, it has a nice, crisp feel to it).

Where the Drillers have failed before, FC Edmonton seeks to succeed. It seems the ownership and management understand the need for a successful team in what could be considered a barren wasteland for the beautiful game. They certainly have shown an understanding for the Prairie psyche, and are establishing a youth academy in order to reach out to talented youngsters across the three provinces. What is most promising is what seems to be the commitment to winning, and the acquisition of pedigreed coaching in Dutch-Canadian Manager Dwight Lodeweges.

Other smart moves taken by NASL can be found with AC St. Louis.

It has already been documented on this website that AC St. Louis has acquired Steve Ralston from the Revolution, in both a player and coaching role, but one cannot emphasize the importance of such an acquisition. The talented player will undoubtedly be important in what could be a rocky start for the expansion side. Even more important though, is his role as a coach as well as a player. It is little secret that once players get over the hump of 30 years of age, their abilities start to decline quite quickly.  Ralston is well over that hump and will be making the transition from player to coach, and potentially manager one day.

Essentially, NASL (AC St. Louis in particular) is making an investment for the future in this acquisition, and sending a clear message that they’re serious about sticking around.

We can also talk about the Florida market and the attempt by NASL to lock it up with teams in Tampa and Miami. One should note that MLS has left this place a soccer wasteland.

Essentially, NASL has filled the gap of pro soccer in mid-major markets in North America. This will allow for more professional opportunities for youth across the continent and allow for longer term development. Why is it able to succeed where USL has failed? Simple branding. The North American Soccer League is a brand which remains one of the strongest in North American football and it will play an important part in filling a major gap in the availability of association football in North America.

In my next piece, I will discuss the importance of capping MLS at 20 teams and which markets should fill the final positions.

Major League Soccer is a niche league, perhaps the largest niche league in North America (depending on your view of hockey and the NHL).  It lacks a lot of the tradition, and strength that can be found in older leagues such as the National Football League, or Major League Baseball.  Even the NHL has strong traditions relative to Major League soccer.  Niche leagues fill certain markets, and reach out to small support bases.  They are not immune to problems and possess a wide variety of weaknesses.

One of those weaknesses is the susceptibility to a work stoppage.

Major League Soccer is on the verge of a virtual collapse, and the league seems to think that a collapse is preferable to granting the most basic right a worker has.  The right of mobility and freedom to choose where you work.  In any other line of employment outside of sports, the employer would be clearly in the wrong (and likely taken to court) for doing what it can to restrict labour rights.  But in sports, we tolerate labour violations because there is a perception that we can encourage league competitiveness by restricting labour rights.  Others rationalize the violation of labour rights as a way of keeping players from being paid too much.

Regardless, with any other product this would be considered illegal. But US (and Canadian) law is funny on sports leagues and the product they peddle. So, the Players are going to have to seek a compromise, as legal action on labour issues such as these has failed across numerous sports.

Major League Soccer is moving towards a lockout or strike, both of which would be absolutely terrible for the North American game and a blow to the credibility of the USSF abroad.  There seems to be broad consensus among followers of the league that a strike or lockout would be the death of the league.

The odd thing about this whole situation is that MLS and the Players Union are not far apart on the issues. There remains a major stumbling block which has yet to be overcome.

It is free agency (in combination with player mobility).

Under the current system, players have no right to say no to a trade, and cannot catch on with another MLS team when their contract expires.  And oddly, neither the league or the players seem to be able to come together on a compromise.

Here is what I propose as a solution.  It’s a halfway point, known as Restricted Free Agency and is employed in the NHL.

1. Players over the age of 28 or who have played 5 years, consecutively, in MLS are entitled to unrestricted free agency.
2. Players over the age of 28 or who have played 5 years, consecutively, in MLS are entitled to a No Trade Clause.
3. Players under the age of 28 and who have not played 5 years, consecutively, in MLS are entitled to Restricted Free Agency.  Clubs must offer a contract equal or greater in nominal value to their previous contract or the player becomes an unrestricted free agent.
4. Players under the age of 28 and who have not played 5 years, consecutively, in MLS are permitted to negotiate No Trade Clauses into their contracts.

This is obviously not with all the bells and whistles that a “legalese” agreement would require, but it is something which the two groups can work off of.  Maybe the age should be higher, maybe lower. Maybe you should need less or more consecutive years.

But it’s something of a compromise and may spark some ideas.

What do you think?  What are your proposals on bridging this volatile issue? Would RFA work in MLS?