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Canwest News Service
Build, don't buy.
It's the Vancouver Whitecaps' fundamental philosophy. It's why owner Greg Kerfoot began pumping $1 million per season into the residency program in 2007.
But as the club moves towards Major League Soccer in 2011, and the Canadian content of that league grows from one — Toronto FC — to two, and likely three teams with Montreal in 2012, there's an intriguing battle brewing: a battle for the right to develop Canada's top youth players.
And contrary to rumblings that tacit agreements are already in place between Canada's professional clubs to stay off each other's lawn, Whitecaps co-owner Jeff Mallett says Vancouver supports a free market system.
"There are no [Canadian] territories established on the player side of things," Mallett said. "Will that change? It's under discussion, but we're big believers in may the best programs win. We are proponents of an open market."
MLS has an evolving set of homegrown talent and roster rules designed to stimulate youth development in America.
Many U.S. clubs have youth scouting rights limited to a 75-mile (130-km) area around their training grounds. More rural clubs lay claim to much wider areas.
Toronto FC has certain MLS rights over the whole of Canada, which will obviously change in 2011. But to what extent is negotiable, and those negotiations will not be easy.
Two Toronto FC Academy players — midfielders Russell Teibert, 16, and Kevin Cobby, 17, moved to the Whitecaps residency squad last year.
Teibert is an especially interesting case, not only because he was Canada's under-17 player of the year in 2008, but also because his hometown of Niagara Falls, Ont., is about 130 kilometres from Toronto.
The Whitecaps pitch essentially boils down to this: What is best for the next Teibert? And what is best for Canada?
Of course, their answer happens to be the best thing for them, too, which doesn't make it wrong.
"We believe that good players will make good choices and that limiting that in any form could lesson the quality of all programs," said Mallett.
It's a complex issue.
Under MLS rules, Toronto is more limited than Vancouver when it comes to signing, playing and selling young talent. The field will be level in terms of regulation in 2011, but Vancouver has a massive head start.
Philosophically and financially, though, neither Toronto nor Montreal has shown the commitment Vancouver has.
"The core of any good club," Mallett said, "has to come from within."
But despite their desire to attract the top talent from Toronto and Montreal and anywhere else in Canada, Mallett said B.C. is the focus for the club.
"I grew up in the era of Frank Yallop and Colin Miller," he said. "We know great players come out of B.C., and if we do our job right, we should be their first choice."
mweber@theprovince.com
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Absolutely,Whitacaps are right on the money,again!!!No one has the right to “limit” or “restrict” free movement of people for in Canada…Any Canadian citizen can pursue their employment,leisure etc…anywhere they decide…If you are from Taktijaktak and want to move to Calgary to play soccer,it’s nobody’s business,but the person’t decision to make!!!
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The best program will attract teh best players in a free market so it is critical to build that program from the bottom up which is what the Whitcaps have done. Look at how poorly the San Jose Earthquakes have done and then try and find any infrastructure that grows and develops players – it does not exist and is a large reason for thier lack of success on the field and as a business.
Please continue discussion on the forum: link