Major League Soccer is looking to level the playing field for its teams north of the border by amending the roster system Toronto FC played under before the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps start up next season.
Commissioner Don Garber offered few specifics beyond revealing that change is in the works during a state of the league conference call Tuesday, but did say he is working closely with the Canadian Soccer Association to ensure any move doesn't hurt efforts to bolster the national team.
"We will likely change this rule for next year," said Garber. "I'm hesitant to give any detail because we're still in discussions with the CSA about what those changes will be.
"I believe we'll change it, and those changes will help our teams be more competitive, and at the same time provide the CSA with whatever value they're looking for to ensure we can help make the Canadian national team better.
"If we're able to push through the changes that we're looking for, it will set up the right environment for both Vancouver and Montreal."
Under the current rules, the Whitecaps would have been able to sign a maximum of eight American and eight international players to their roster next season, using Canadians to fill out the remaining spots.
Team can change the format via trade and that's what Toronto FC did, finishing the 2010 season with five Canadians, seven Americans and 12 internationals on its roster.
A source with knowledge of the discussions said the MLS is looking at counting Canadian and American players under the same category for Toronto and Vancouver, allowing them to field up to 16 North American players in 2011. The plan would last five years, until the Canadian player pool can be deepened.
The CSA and MLS will meet this weekend to further discuss the matter, general secretary Peter Montopoli said through a spokesman, and Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi, a former national team coach, described the negotiations as "something that will require a little bit of give and take on both sides."
Lenarduzzi, added however, the best solution was to become self-sufficient in producing Canadian players.
"We're taking the long-term approach and that is we want to play as many Canadians as possible, but we want to play the Canadian players that are capable of playing and not play them simply because the quota suggests that's what we have to do," said Lenarduzzi. "We're looking at the current dilemma and realizing we need to get through this, but over time, we can actually alleviate the problem by actually developing enough players that we won't need a quota."
The roster news comes with Toronto set to host the MLS Cup championship game on Sunday between FC Dallas and the Colorado Rapids.
While Garber repeatedly referred to TFC as a success story for the league, he did note that the club's fan revolt toward the end of the regular season caught the league off guard and pointed out the MLS Cup was awarded to it beforehand.
"I'm not saying we would have changed it in any way, but it certainly has forced us to come up with pricing programs and other initiatives TFC went through over the last 30 days to ensure they're not doing things with their fans that will negatively impact their commitment to the club," said Garber. "We had a conference call with them (Tuesday) morning, they're confident that their fans will come out and support the league."
Last month, Toronto FC moved to quell fans disgruntled by rising costs and poor performance on the field by giving away a free game and promising a price freeze in 2012 for returning season-ticket holders. Garber had a hand in the decisions, and praised team officials for acting quickly.
"When teams make those decisions, they can't make them unilaterally, they have to be approved by the league because it has a knock-on effect to the rest of our clubs, and we were very supportive of that," said Garber. "There's a special thing going on in Toronto, we need to recognize that soccer is different than hockey and basketball and soccer fans have a relationship with their club that I think transcends basic fan avidity and makes them feel almost as if the club is theirs.
"While they can't be making those decisions, I think we probably have to spend more time talking to them about some of the decisions we make."
Regardless of Toronto FC's troubles, Garber was full of praise for the league's move into Canada and is looking forward to the boost Vancouver and Montreal will bring.
"Our expansion into Canada has transformed Major League Soccer," he said. "Frankly, I don't think we'd be the league we are today without the success of Toronto FC and without the emergence with that club of supporters culture, which I believe is helping to drive our focus on being more and more authentic.
"Toronto helped establish that foundation for us and it will be taken to a higher level with Vancouver and Montreal in the years to come."
Other highlights from Garber's conference call:
- A Reserve Division will begin play next year featuring a 10-game schedule for each team and playoffs for the top eight clubs. Players must come from a team's active roster, be on loan, or part of its academy.
- Teams can now sign an unlimited number of homegrown players developed in their academies, up from the current maximum of four per season.
- Rosters are expanding from 24 to 30 starting in 2011, with roster spots 25-30 reserved for players 24 years and under. They will not count against the salary budget.
- Expanding the playoffs is under consideration, but the current system may very well be left alone.
Notes: Garber will join CBC soccer analysts Nigel Reed and Jason deVos for the Supporters Summit hosted by Supporters United for Toronto FC prior to Sunday's final. Garber will address fans at the event open to supporters of all clubs and then take questions. The meeting will also include an officiating discussion featuring MLS executive Alfonso Mondelo, and the Canadian Soccer Association's Joe Guest. ... The Philip F. Anschutz championship trophy will arrive in Toronto on Wednesday, and will be met by Mayor David Miller, Toronto FC star Dwayne De Rosario and others at Maple Leaf Square. ... De Rosario was named to the MLS's Best XI team for the fifth time after scoring 15 goals, including five match-winners. He ties Chris Armas and Jaime Moreno for most all-time selections.