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    Guest
    First Kick 2014 is just around the MLS corner and with it bring us expanding our podcast.
    We did a number of post game shows last year, which we'll be continuing this season, and we're now also adding a weekly preview show.
    Hosted by <b>Steve Pandher</b>, with a rotating selection of co-hosts, we kick off the first show in the company of AFTN writer <b>Aaron Campbell</b> and Curva Collective's <b>Zachary Meisenheimer</b>.
    This week's panel look ahead to Vancouver Whitecaps' opening match of the season against New York Red Bulls. Who will play, who will miss out and most importantly, who will win and how do they see the game going?
    There's all the latest news and analysis from the week's events in Whitecapsland as well and some audio from head coach <b>Carl Robinson</b>, along with a bit of a Vancouver season preview as to what we may see this year.
    And there's still time for my section, 'Trio Time', and the eagerly awaited return of Predict-a-pooch.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Apt as we're on all fours in this episode. It's episode 44 and it's 44.44 minutes long.
    Have a listen!
    You can listen to this week's podcast on iTunes <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/aftn/id628306235" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.
    Or download it for your later listening delight <a href="http://aftn.podbean.com/" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.
    We also have an iPhone app, so you can now add our podcast to your phone as an app. Visit the podcast's mobile site <a href="http://aftn.podbean.com/mobile/" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a> and then at the bottom of the screen just click the "Quick Launch" icon and the podcast will be added to your home screen and appear as an app.
    And if that's not enough, we've joined <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/michael-mccoll/the-aftn-soccer-podcast?refid=stpr" target="_blank"><u><b>Stitcher Radio Network</b></u></a>. Download the app and listen to the AFTN podcast on your device, along with over 15,000 shows <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/michael-mccoll/the-aftn-soccer-podcast?refid=stpr" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.
    Or after all that, you could just listen on the player below!
    <iframe width="100%" height="100" id="audio_iframe" src="http://www.podbean.com/media/player/audio/postId/5083257/url/http%253A%252F%252Faftn.podbean.com%252F2014%252F03%252F07%252Fepisode-44-the-aftn-soccer-podcast-new-york-preview-show%252F?skin=3" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
    <p>
    Guest
    In an ideal world, every game played by our national teams would be televised live, in glorious high-definition, and every member of the viewing public would get an ice cream sundae (and get to choose the flavour).
    Plus, of course, it'd be free, since most people -- for some odd reason -- think there are no costs associated with producing a live broadcast, and any attempt by a broadcaster to attempt to recoup those costs is utterly evil and exploitative. [/soapbox]
    Living in the world in which we do, however, Canadian national team games are quite frequently not televised. So, we get a few live tweets and are left to fill in the blanks with our imagination. I take it a step further and fill in the blanks with nonsense, which has resulted in a nice little series of mostly fabricated synopses (here, here, here and here are some past examples).
    Anyway, Canada played Finland in their Cyprus Cup opener on Wednesday morning. We won 3-0. Huzzah! Here's what happened (kind of):
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Canada's starting lineup featured Karina LeBlanc in goal; Rhian Wilkinson, Emily Zurrer, Kadeisha Buchanan and Marie-Eve Nault on defence; Kaylyn Kyle, Diana Matheson and Sophie Schmidt in midfield; and Christine Sinclair, Josee Belanger and Adriana Leon up top.
    So, probably a 4-3-3. Though it could have been a 5-1-2-3 for all we know.
    Not in the lineup was, of course, Lauren Sesselmann, who suffered a serious knee injury prior to the tournament. That, of course, is bad news for her and for the team, so undoubtedly anyone who cares one iota about the squad is hoping for her full and speedy recovery. (And just to be clear, this isn't part of the "fabricated" portion of this article; it's unfortunately true.)
    Canada started briskly, as the Finns were pre-occupied pony trekking, camping or watching TV. To make sense of that reference, search "Monty Python Finland" on YouTube, or just see my Canada v. Finland recap from last year, when I used the same stupid joke.
    This is where I'd usually make some kind of snarky reference about the host country -- maybe the lack of fans in the stands, the sickeningly wonderful weather conditions -- but given the fact that a referee's car got bombed the other day (again, this ain't part of the fabrication) perhaps this isn't the best time for it.
    Dang, this is getting heavy, isn't it? These fabricated synopses are supposed to be light and airy. Let's try again.
    Josee Belanger had a few early offensive chances for Canada but couldn't convert, before suddenly awaking in a cold sweat and realizing that her playing for the national team again was, in fact, all a bad dream (yes, that means the game, the stadium, and all of us were just constructs within her dream... probably the second level, the big rotating hotel... anyway, thankfully The Doctor found a way to reboot the universe, save us all and, accordingly, continue the soccer game).
    Sophie Schmidt was the one to open the scoring for Canada, doing something to get the ball into the opponent's net before tripping over her own feet and spouting a malapropism in an utterly adorable way, causing thousands of CanWNT fans to simultaneously swoon and affix the hashtag #SophieMoment to their social-media descriptions of the play.
    Schmidt then scored again just before halftime and, to recover from her previous blunder, paid extra close attention to maintaining her balance and walking coolly and calmly back to her position on the field. But then, one fan in the stands (so, 20% of the audience... dammit, there I go) was so shocked that he fell over and dislocated his thumb no no stop with the dark stuff light and airy! Right, OK, sorry.
    Belanger picked up a yellow card in the second half, upon which she attempted to once again awake from the bad dream but, instead, fell asleep on the pitch. The Doctor arrived to make a pithy quip about how there must be some slight bugs in the rebooted universe. The broken-thumbed Cypriot asked him for medical attention, whereupon the Doctor was forced into a lengthy explanation about how he isn't a medical doctor, but that the name actually represents yada yada backstory and this boring diatribe, ironically, caused Belanger to wake back up.
    Christine Sinclair finished off the scoring with her 3,495th goal for Canada, and this sentence is hilarious because she's scored a lot of goals but obviously not that many. Comedy through exaggeration of the obvious -- it's always great stuff (said every Family Guy fan).
    Rachel Quon came into the game to earn her first cap for Canada, and all across the nation, every single Canadian soccer fan was unreservedly welcoming of her arrival. (You can figure out for yourself whether or not this fits into the "fabricated" part of the story.)
    Anyway, game ended, Canada wins, happiness all around, fish fingers and custard for dinner, the end.
    Next game is Friday against Italy. Check back then for more of this nonsense, maybe.
    (Note: We seem to be having trouble with our commenting system at the moment. So if you'd like to let me know how stupid this post was, drop me a line on Twitter, or just shout your remark out the nearest window.)
    .
    Guest
    It was late afternoon in mid-October and the newly formed U16 Residency team was taking on the Washington Crossfire leading by a 1-0 score. A penalty was called against the home team late in the match and it seemed like everyone was preparing to split the result.
    However a diving fingertip stop by then 15 year old Marco Carducci kept the Whitecaps ahead and preserved the win. Two and a half years later the young keeper has signed his first professional contract and has been slotted in as the future starting keeper for the Caps.
    Despite the praise that is being heaped on the Alberta native, Carducci knows there is much work to do before he can reach the levels he wants to.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    <i>"Have to take it step by step, just work hard every day and see where it takes me. I’ll work every day to push my limits to get my standard as high as I can."</i>
    Born and raised in Calgary the newest Whitecap had to become inventive in developing his game at a young age. This included playing in the basement with his dad and former keeper, Luciano, where father and son would leave a multitude of dents in the wall.
    Being of Italian heritage there was little doubt who Carducci idolized and patterned growing up in the Prairies.
    <i>"There were a lot but even now it is Gianluigi Buffon. He’s my favourite, but when you start maturing and spend time with pro goalkeepers you pick up things to help your game."</i>
    After spending five years with Calgary Villains FC (2006-11) Carducci joined the Whitecaps organization when they expanded their Residency with their first U16 team in 2011. It was clear from the beginning that the Whitecaps had a special player as he was clearly an excellent shot stopper and showed no fear in controlling the area around his net.
    It didn’t take long for others with the club to notice what a special player they had and it was clear there was a bright future. Even before he became the head coach, Carl Robinson has been impressed by the keeper’s ability and mentality and feels he is the real deal.
    <i>"Last season he stood out in preseason camp, just his calmness, he’s 17 years of age but when you talk to him he’s going on 37. He is calm, very confident in his own ability and is humble as well. The work ethic he puts in day to day is fantastic and I think it’s a just reward for him and it will be the next progression for him."</i>
    At each level he has played so far (U16, U18, PDL and international) Carducci hasn’t shown any significant weaknesses. He is confident in the box, positions himself well and shows very little fear when attacking the ball in the air.
    His biggest strength is his shot stopping ability which was on display last year in a match against Victoria last season when he made one of the best double saves by any keeper at any level (it won AFTN's 'Save of the Year' - what bigger accolade could a keeper want?!).
    A born leader Carducci was named the captain of the U17 Canadian national team when they earned a spot at the 2013 World Cup, playing in all three games in the UAE last October.
    One thing Carducci pointed out when it came to his development was his arrival in Vancouver with the Residency program, especially his time with keeper coach Raegyn Hall.
    <i>"When I moved out here in August of 2011 it was the Residency program that moved my development forward. The coaching staff for me, especially Raegyn, spending every day in that environment but with his help in refining me, in helping me make the jump to the next level, was massive for me.
    "Also being there every day you learned, and being able to see the first team working hard and putting their full focus in to it and going every day to become better is the way you get there."</i>
    His goalkeeping guru at the Residency level feels the sky is the limit for the Carducci and feels his tangibles are what will help him succeed in the pro game. He will obviously need to continue his development at a similar rate because in addition to the game being faster, the opposition will be more skilled and more physical.
    <i>"Since he joined the residency program, he has had a fantastic attitude, work rate and approach."</i> Hall told us.
    <i>"The biggest adjustment for a young keeper stepping into the professional environment is speed of play. Everything happens a little bit quicker."</i>
    The two time U17 Canadian player of the year is now positioned in the number three spot behind David Ousted and Paolo Tornaghi. Unless there are injuries there is little chance for Carducci to see playing time in the near future so expect to see him play in both the USSDA and PDL leagues.
    However, considering his movement through the ranks of the organization there should be little doubt that the young Canadian keeper will be applying his trade on the turf of B.C. Place in the near future.
    <center>

    </center><p>
    Guest
    Value.
    In MLS there is arguably no greater importance than finding value in players. With a small salary cap (just $3.09-million in 2014) and only three exceptions (that are punished to the tune of nearly one-third of your cap if all three are used) you cannot afford to overpay for players.
    And, if you are going to be a truly elite team you not only need to not overpay, but also underpay for the value you get. If you can find a player for $100,000 that plays like a $200,000 player you are ahead of the game.
    How do you measure that though? Up until now there is no statistic you can point to that says you overpaid player X by Y amount and underpaid player Z by F amount. It's all subjective and the problem with subjective measures is that they aren't testable.
    We've tried to address that. Over the last month we've been working to create a tool to place an expected salary value on players. With that we can then look at a player's actual salary and express his value in a +/- format.
    Below the jump we present the Performance to Pay (P2P) figures for all starting Central Midfielders in MLS from 2013. Once we've received feedback we will possibly tweak the formula and expand the data to include all regulars in 2013.
    Before we present the findings, a word about the format:
    We first identified the six different outfield positions (goalkeepers will be looked at separately, using a different formula) that a player can be categorized in (central midfielders, attacking midfielders, wide midfielders, central defenders, fullbacks and forwards). Each position will be looked at separately, recognizing that different positions have different skill-sets.
    Within each position a player ranking will be established using advanced statistics mined from the Website Whoscored.com. Whoscored is considered to be the best open data set of advanced stats available at this time. We relied upon Whoscored to classify what position a player played when there was confusion doing such.
    That player ranking will be used to calculate expected salaries. By looking at the typical salary spread at each position from highest to lowest paid (capping highest at the DP cap hit of $368,750 to accommodate top end outliers) we were able to calculate how much of a pay raise each position in the ranking should expect.
    For example, we found that each spot on the CM list should increase a player's salary by $10,204. Since the lowest paid CM was paid $46,500 we assumed that was the market value of the worst regular. The second worst would be worth $56,704, the third $66,908, etc.
    Calculating the P2P number was a case of simply subtracting the actual salary from the expected.
    More complicated is calculating the player's positional ranking. To do that we took two measures directly from Whoscored.com (Their player ranking (WSR), which is calculated using a cross section of fugues) and passing percentage (P%). Additionally, we created two measures. The measures created are Defensive Involvement (DI), which looks at the average amount of tackles, clearances, recoveries and interceptions per game that a player has, and Shots plus Key Passes (S+KP), which is simply the average of shots and key passes combined per game.
    Each player is ranked in each category with the four ranking numbers then added together for a Overall Score Rank (OSR). The lower the OSR, the better the player is thought to have performed.
    The results:
    [TABLE=width: 500]
    [TR]
    [TD]Name[/TD]
    [TD]Team[/TD]
    [TD]WSR[/TD]
    [TD]DI[/TD]
    [TD]S+KP[/TD]
    [TD]Pass %[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Laba[/TD]
    [TD]TFC[/TD]
    [TD]6.99[/TD]
    [TD]9[/TD]
    [TD]1[/TD]
    [TD]82.1[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Osorio[/TD]
    [TD]TFC[/TD]
    [TD]6.68[/TD]
    [TD]2.9[/TD]
    [TD]1.8[/TD]
    [TD]85.4[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Beckerman[/TD]
    [TD]RSL[/TD]
    [TD]7.26[/TD]
    [TD]6.6[/TD]
    [TD]2.8[/TD]
    [TD]81.8[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Grabovoy[/TD]
    [TD]RSL[/TD]
    [TD]7.02[/TD]
    [TD]5.5[/TD]
    [TD]2.2[/TD]
    [TD]86.5[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Mejia[/TD]
    [TD]Chivas[/TD]
    [TD]6.57[/TD]
    [TD]3.4[/TD]
    [TD]1.7[/TD]
    [TD]77.1[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Minda[/TD]
    [TD]Chivas[/TD]
    [TD]6.48[/TD]
    [TD]5.2[/TD]
    [TD]0.7[/TD]
    [TD]82.8[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Larentowicz[/TD]
    [TD]Chicago[/TD]
    [TD]6.90[/TD]
    [TD]6[/TD]
    [TD]2.2[/TD]
    [TD]76.4[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Alex[/TD]
    [TD]Chicago[/TD]
    [TD]6.64[/TD]
    [TD]3.4[/TD]
    [TD]1.9[/TD]
    [TD]78.2[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Powers[/TD]
    [TD]Colorado[/TD]
    [TD]7.05[/TD]
    [TD]3[/TD]
    [TD]3.1[/TD]
    [TD]81.4[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Thomas[/TD]
    [TD]Colorado[/TD]
    [TD]6.96[/TD]
    [TD]7.4[/TD]
    [TD]1.6[/TD]
    [TD]83.9[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Trapp[/TD]
    [TD]Columbus[/TD]
    [TD]6.83[/TD]
    [TD]6.1[/TD]
    [TD]1.8[/TD]
    [TD]84.0[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Tchani[/TD]
    [TD]Columbus[/TD]
    [TD]6.76[/TD]
    [TD]5.1[/TD]
    [TD]1.1[/TD]
    [TD]75.2[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Jeffrey[/TD]
    [TD]DCU[/TD]
    [TD]6.77[/TD]
    [TD]4.9[/TD]
    [TD]2.9[/TD]
    [TD]86.1[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Kitchen[/TD]
    [TD]DCU[/TD]
    [TD]6.72[/TD]
    [TD]6.4[/TD]
    [TD]1[/TD]
    [TD]82.5[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Jacobson[/TD]
    [TD]Dallas[/TD]
    [TD]6.98[/TD]
    [TD]7.2[/TD]
    [TD]2[/TD]
    [TD]79.8[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Watson[/TD]
    [TD]Dallas[/TD]
    [TD]6.55[/TD]
    [TD]3.9[/TD]
    [TD]1.3[/TD]
    [TD]78.0[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Clark[/TD]
    [TD]Houston[/TD]
    [TD]7.04[/TD]
    [TD]4.9[/TD]
    [TD]2.4[/TD]
    [TD]78.6[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Creavalle[/TD]
    [TD]Houston[/TD]
    [TD]6.89[/TD]
    [TD]6.4[/TD]
    [TD]1.1[/TD]
    [TD]80.2[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Juninho[/TD]
    [TD]LAG[/TD]
    [TD]7.18[/TD]
    [TD]6.5[/TD]
    [TD]3.1[/TD]
    [TD]85.6[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Sarvas[/TD]
    [TD]LAG[/TD]
    [TD]7.18[/TD]
    [TD]6.5[/TD]
    [TD]2.5[/TD]
    [TD]83.6[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Bernier[/TD]
    [TD]Montreal[/TD]
    [TD]7.07[/TD]
    [TD]6.3[/TD]
    [TD]1.5[/TD]
    [TD]82.4[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Arnaud[/TD]
    [TD]Montreal[/TD]
    [TD]6.91[/TD]
    [TD]4.8[/TD]
    [TD]1.5[/TD]
    [TD]81.3[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Caldwell[/TD]
    [TD]NER[/TD]
    [TD]6.63[/TD]
    [TD]5.9[/TD]
    [TD]0.7[/TD]
    [TD]82.9[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]McCarty[/TD]
    [TD]NYRB[/TD]
    [TD]7.01[/TD]
    [TD]6.1[/TD]
    [TD]1.3[/TD]
    [TD]85.1[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Alexander[/TD]
    [TD]NYRB[/TD]
    [TD]6.71[/TD]
    [TD]2.7[/TD]
    [TD]1.6[/TD]
    [TD]82.7[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Daniel[/TD]
    [TD]Philly[/TD]
    [TD]6.77[/TD]
    [TD]3.6[/TD]
    [TD]2.5[/TD]
    [TD]84.8[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Carroll[/TD]
    [TD]Philly[/TD]
    [TD]6.73[/TD]
    [TD]6.1[/TD]
    [TD]1.2[/TD]
    [TD]80.6[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Johnson[/TD]
    [TD]PDX[/TD]
    [TD]7.46[/TD]
    [TD]6.3[/TD]
    [TD]3.3[/TD]
    [TD]83.7[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Chara[/TD]
    [TD]PDX[/TD]
    [TD]7.23[/TD]
    [TD]7.7[/TD]
    [TD]1.2[/TD]
    [TD]85.9[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Cronin[/TD]
    [TD]San Jose[/TD]
    [TD]6.98[/TD]
    [TD]7.1[/TD]
    [TD]0.9[/TD]
    [TD]79.7[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Alonso[/TD]
    [TD]Seattle[/TD]
    [TD]7.35[/TD]
    [TD]8.8[/TD]
    [TD]1.8[/TD]
    [TD]88.3[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Evans[/TD]
    [TD]Seattle[/TD]
    [TD]6.92[/TD]
    [TD]4[/TD]
    [TD]1.8[/TD]
    [TD]77.7[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Zusi[/TD]
    [TD]SKC[/TD]
    [TD]7.48[/TD]
    [TD]2.7[/TD]
    [TD]5.1[/TD]
    [TD]76.3[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Rosell[/TD]
    [TD]SKC[/TD]
    [TD]7.11[/TD]
    [TD]8.4[/TD]
    [TD]1.5[/TD]
    [TD]84.0[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Koffie[/TD]
    [TD]Vancouver[/TD]
    [TD]7.0[/TD]
    [TD]5.5[/TD]
    [TD]1.8[/TD]
    [TD]81.4[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Reo-Coker[/TD]
    [TD]Vancouver[/TD]
    [TD]7.0[/TD]
    [TD]5.1[/TD]
    [TD]1.6[/TD]
    [TD]81.9[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [/TABLE]
    That's a lot of numbers. To help digest here is a list of the top five and bottom five in each category.
    WSR
    Top -
    1. Zusi - 7.48
    2. Johnson - 7.46
    3. Alonso - 7.35
    4. Beckerman - 7.26
    5. Chara - 7.23
    Bottom
    37. Mirda - 6.48
    36. Watson - 6.55
    35. Mejia - 6.57
    34. Caldwell - 6.63
    33. Alex - 6.64
    This is the stat that most meets the eyeball test. The players that are ranked high in thus measure are well known and generally considered to be stars in the league.
    They also play for top teams, while the bottom five are four-for-five non-playoff performers.
    It's possible that the WSR leans a bit too heavily on numbers that are team generated so we must look at the rest of the figures to find balance.
    Central midfielders are expected to be the best of all worlds -- they must attack and defend. So, let's look at defensive involvement:
    DI
    Top -
    1. Laba - 9
    2. Alonso - 8.8
    3. Rosell - 8.4
    4. Chara - 7.7
    5. Thomas - 7.4
    Bottom -
    37. Zusi - 2.7
    37. Alexander - 2.7
    35. Osorio - 2.9
    34. Powers - 3
    33. Alex - 3.4
    33. Mejia - 3.4
    A couple things are starting to jump out. Alonso and Chara are in both top categories; Alex and Menja in both bottom.
    Also the odd, possibly outlier position of Zusi. Clearly one of the most well known stars in MLS it's possible he's just been mislabeled a CM when he's more of an attacking player. This will come up again on this list and it illustrates the difficulty of measuring CMs.
    TFC and Vancouver fans are going to debate the Laba numbers. However, if all you want from him is defensive involvement then he provides it -- in fact, he did it better than any other CM last year on a statistical level.
    Now we've looked at a defensive stat we need to look at the offensive contribution, with shots plus key passes.
    The reason we've excluded goals is because they are so rare that they create outlier situations. We will include goals in our measure of forwards, but as midfielders go we're going to stick to S+KP. In the new stats world looking at shots as a measure of offensive contribution is fairly common and key passes is a highly desired attribute.
    S+KP
    Top -
    1. Zusi - 5.1
    2. Johnson - 3.3
    3. Juninho - 3.1
    3. Powers - 3.1
    5. Jeffrey - 2.9
    Bottom -
    37. Caldwell - 0.7
    37. Mejia - 0.7
    37. Mirda - 0.7
    34. Cronin - 0.9
    33. Laba - 1.0
    33. Kitchen 1.0
    Yep, Laba is a pure DCM. A valuable and needed position, but is it worth a DP slot? That's a subjective argument that won't be won or lost here.
    Lastly we look at pass completion percentage. The argument against using completion percentage as a measure is that not all passes are created equal. That's fair, but tracked over an entire season the numbers start to have meaning -- particularly if a high completion rare is combined with a high S+KP number.
    Top -
    1. Alonso - 88.3
    2. Grabovoy - 86.5
    3. Jeffrey - 86.1
    4. Chara - 85.9
    5. Juninho - 85.6
    Bottom -
    37. Zusi - 76.3
    37. Tchani - 76.3
    35. Larentowicz - 76.4
    34. Mejia - 77.1
    33. Evans - 77.7
    Once again we see some familiar faces. Rather than try and predict what that means let's look at the overall rank.
    Best overall CM ranking (combining the four categories)
    1. Alonso
    2. Juninho
    3. Johnson
    4. Sarvas
    5. Chara
    6. Beckerman
    7. Rosell
    8. Grabovoy
    9. Thomas
    10. Jeffrey
    11. McCarty
    12. Trapp
    13. Bernier
    14. Jacobson
    15. Laba
    16. Powers
    17. Koffie
    18. Daniel
    19. Zusi
    20. Clark
    21. Reo-Coker
    22. Larientowicz
    23. Kitchen
    24. Osorio
    25. Cronin
    26. Creavalle
    27. Carroll
    28. Evans
    29. Arnaud
    30. Caldwell
    31. Alexander
    32. Mirda
    33. Alex
    34. Tchani
    35. Watson
    36. Mejia
    10 thoughts:
    1) Alonso earned his pay raise
    2) Chivas is really bad
    3) The formula rewards all-around play. Zusi is the poster-boy to why.
    4) Is Laba worth a DP slot when he's statistically average (overall), but exceptional at one thing?
    5) But, maybe there is something to Zusi's low ranking. With a limited cap should teams be looking for overall play over specialist play. Was his truly exceptional S+KP number enough to make clear weaknesses elsewhere irrelevant? Dumb stats creating more questions than answers!
    6) Harsh reality of MLS reflected in Montreal unloading Arnauld, eh?
    7) How is Evans a US international? The eyeballs there (which tell you he shouldn't be) are absolutely backed up by poor numbers.
    8) Clark might be next year's Arnauld. How much is "leadership" worth as an intangible?
    9) With seven of the top 10 international players the US might need to reflect on how they develop CMs (also suggests that Will Johnson is the only Canadian national team member that would have a shot at a US cap right now)
    10) Jered Jeffrey was one hell of a steal for DC United.
    The purpose of this exercise was to determine whether player's were overpaid or of great value. As a reminder we placed a salary value in each spot in the rankings based on what the spread in salary was from No 1 to No 36 in 2013. We determined that the No 36 ranked player should be paid the league minimum of of $46,500 and that each spot up the ranking should be paid an additional $10,204 until we reached the maximum cap hit of $368,750.
    Once we determined those salary numbers we simply subtracted the actual cap hit from 2013 (according to the salaries listed on the MLSPU page) with their actual salary.
    The results (negative value represents a player being underpaid that amount)
    1. Jeffrey -$241,400
    2. Rosell -$213,492
    3. Sarvas -$178,482
    4. Powers -$161,376
    5. Grabovoy -$160,342
    6. Alonso -$158,750
    7. Trapp -$154,192
    8. Daniel -$147,281
    9. Jacobson -$124,970
    10. Johnson -$124,970
    11. Osorio -$122,448
    12. Thomas -$111,804
    13. Chara -$108,866
    14. Bernier -$108,655
    15. Creavalle -$192,040
    16. Juninho -$78,720
    17. McCarty -$68,896
    18. Koffie -$54,172
    19. Laba -$50,580
    20. Alexander -$26,653
    21. Beckerman -$13,666
    22. Kitchen +$11,298
    23. Cronin $18,756
    24. Carroll $38,164
    25. Reo-Coker $38,202
    26. Larentowicz $41,644
    27. Alex $42,838
    28. Evans $53,328
    29. Caldwell $53,329
    30. Mirda $56,434
    31. Watson $60,171
    32. Tchani $88,092
    33. Mejia $93,500
    34. Clark $97,986
    35. Zusi $163,282
    36. Arnauld $172,072
    We've shared our thoughts. What do you think?
    Guest
    With all eyes trained on the U20 and senior Women's World Cups being hosted in Canada over the next 16 months, one could be forgiven for forgetting that Canada will also be contesting the U17 Women's World Cup later this month.
    The fourth edition of the competition runs from March 15 to April 4 in Costa Rica, with Canada competing in a difficult group alongside Germany, North Korea and Ghana. North Korea knocked Canada out of the 2012 tournament in the quarter-finals, a competition in which the Canadians had excruciating difficulty finding the back of the net (they, incomprehensibly, managed to put just one past lowly Azerbaijan).
    But past results mean little in the youth ranks, where turnover is constant. There are no returning players from the 2012 squad, though two names on this year's roster -- released by head coach Bev Priestman on Tuesday, full roster below -- will likely already ring some bells for followers of the senior national team.
    Midfielder Jessie Fleming -- who, at 15 years old, earned her first senior national-team cap at a tournament in Brazil in December -- will captain the U-17 side, while fullback Sura Yekka, who has already earned seven senior caps, will join the U17 side after missing the qualifying tournament last October/November.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Unsurprisingly, Priestman will be relying on these two for leadership.
    "Jessie, named the captain again, she does a great job," Priestman said during a conference call Tuesday. "She's the fittest player on the team. ... Between the two of them, for sure, they've got great experience and leadership within the team."
    Canada's qualifying tournament was a bit of a mixed bag. They steamrolled over Guatemala, Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica by a combined score of 24-0, but were held scoreless by both the USA and Mexico. Asked whether those blowouts against minnows had warped her team's expectations about what they'll be up against in the World Cup, Priestman said they hadn't.
    "They know that they're playing Germany, they're playing (North) Korea; they'll be realistic going into this tournament," she said. "There is a reality there already for the players, and I'm not sure that the expectation is that they can go in and score 11 goals (in a game, as they did against T&T)."
    It's always difficult to predict how any squad will fare at the youth ranks, though Priestman noted that even at the U17 level, "powerhouses" have a way of developing. North Korea won the tournament in 2008, finished fourth in 2010 and were runners-up in 2012. Germany has been in the third-place game twice, with their worst showing in 2010 when they were knocked out in the quarters by -- guess who? -- the North Koreans.
    Times have changed since that tournament just two years ago, however; most significantly, Canada won a historic Olympic medal in women's soccer, providing role models to a new generation of young players. One of those Olympians, Candace Chapman, was actually on Priestman's coaching staff during the qualifying tournament -- "I liked having Chappy in there," said Priestman -- though she won't be available for the upcoming World Cup.
    But when it comes down to it, Priestman isn't overly focused on necessarily making the podium (Canada hasn't made it past the quarter-finals at the U17 Women's World Cup). She, like senior national team head coach John Herdman, is constantly focusing on the overall process of player development.
    "Ultimately we want to get the girls as many games as possible," she said (in addition to three group-stage games, Canada will play a pre-tournament warm-up match against Japan). "U17 is not the be-all and end-all of everything, it's a step along the way."
    Indeed, it proved a massive stepping stone for Kadeisha Buchanan, who was at the U17 Women's World Cup just two years ago, and now finds herself a regular fixture with the senior team. Could Fleming, Yekka or any of their teammates follow a similar trajectory? Well, there are a few potential breakout players to keep an eye on.
    Marie-Mychèle Métivier led Canada's scoring surge in the qualifying tournament, with six goals, looking comfortable and composed in front of goal. Right behind her was Emily Borgmann with five, while Nadya Gill played the role of super-sub to the tune of four goals in five games.
    Fleming was the team's engine in midfield, and of course Yekka will be one to watch as well. But another player who could find herself on Herdman's radar is Rachel Jones, a mobile fullback who showed the sort of forward-moving instincts that Herdman has favoured for the senior team during his tenure.
    In all, Canada will bring 21 players to the tournament, four of whom are young enough to be eligible for the next U17 Women's World Cup, in 2016. All part of the process, in Priestman's words.
    Canada opens against Germany on March 15, before facing North Korea on March 18 and Ghana on March 22. A first- or second-place finish in the group is needed to ensure a quarter-final berth. No official word yet on whether the games will be televised, though CBC has traditionally provided live streams of games at the U17 men's and women's World Cups.
    Canada's U17 Women's World Cup roster
    GK- Rylee Foster | CAN / Woodbridge SC
    GK- Devon Kerr | CAN / Glen Shields FC
    GK- Lysianne Proulx | CAN / Roussillon
    D- Sura Yekka | CAN / Brams United
    D- Easther Mayi Kith | CAN / Laser de Joliette
    D- Mika Richards | CAN / Brams United SC
    D- Rachel Jones | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite
    D- Bianca St-Georges | CAN / Laser de Joliette
    D- Simmrin Dhaliwal | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite
    M- Jessie Fleming | CAN / London NorWest SC
    M- Sarah Kinzner | CAN / Calgary Foothills
    M- Avery Lakeman | CAN / Edmonton Drillers
    M- Karima Lemire | CAN / Varennes
    M- Sarah Stratigakis | CAN / Woodbridge SC
    M- Nahida Baalbaki | CAN / Lakeshore Soccer Club
    F- Emily Borgmann | CAN / Burlington SC
    F- Gabrielle Carle | CAN / Chaudière-Est
    F- Nadya Gill | CAN / Vaughan SC
    F- Anyssa Ibrahim | CAN / Terrebonne
    F- Marie Levasseur | CAN / Haute St-Charles
    F- Marie-Mychèle Métivier | CAN / Armada Chaudière-Est
    Guest
    Preseason is over and the countdown to First Kick off is on.
    Vancouver Whitecaps head into the new season as Champions. Well of the Rose City Invitational tournament and there didn't even seem to be a trophy, but still....
    We look back at the last game, a draw with Portland, what could be taken out of the tournament on the whole, and hear some thoughts from head coach <b>Carl Robinson</b>.
    With the soon to be announced signing of attacking midfielder Pedro Morales, a midfield battle royale awaits and only the strong will survive. We look at the battle ahead and chat to one of the players hoping to come through it unscathed, <b>Russell Teibert</b>.
    There are other battles out there too and one of them will be up front. The main man is <b>Kenny Miller</b> and we have a long chat with the Designated Player about his time in MLS so far, his injury troubles and his hopes for the team for the new season.
    And there's still time to tell you about our new preview podcast which begins on Friday.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Have a listen!
    You can listen to this week's podcast on iTunes <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/aftn/id628306235" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.
    Or download it for your later listening delight <a href="http://aftn.podbean.com/" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>
    We also have an iPhone app, so you can now add our podcast to your phone as an app. Visit the podcast's mobile site <a href="http://aftn.podbean.com/mobile/" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a> and then at the bottom of the screen just click the "Quick Launch" icon and the podcast will be added to your home screen and appear as an app.
    And if that's not enough, we've joined <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/michael-mccoll/the-aftn-soccer-podcast?refid=stpr" target="_blank"><u><b>Stitcher Radio Network</b></u></a>. Download the app and listen to the AFTN podcast on your device, along with over 15,000 shows <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/michael-mccoll/the-aftn-soccer-podcast?refid=stpr" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.
    Or after all that, you could just listen on the player below!
    <iframe width="100%" height="100" id="audio_iframe" src="http://www.podbean.com/media/player/audio/postId/5080014/url/http%253A%252F%252Faftn.podbean.com%252F2014%252F03%252F03%252Fepisode-43-the-aftn-soccer-podcast-countdown-to-first-kick-with-guests-kenny-miller-russell-teibert-and-carl-robinson%252F?skin=3" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
    <p>
    Guest
    Emotionally invested supporters of Canadian soccer have accepted certain truths, foremost being that the wins won’t come often. We’ve recently slumped to an even lower spot, in accepting that the goals won’t come often either. That’s right. The single most joyous aspect of the sport, something you celebrate in the moment regardless of whether you have more than the other team at the end of the game, the reason most people watch – even those have turned a rare occurrence for those signed up to support Canada. Not much fun, you might say. But that's the thing, it actually often is fun. It's the camaraderie that comes with sharing a passion between a small group across a vast and varied landscape. Perhaps like the followers of a cult band, but ones who hope their guys will someday make it big.
    That’s why another accepted truth hurts so much. The one that says every time a bright prospect rolls out of the pipe into the group’s common knowledge there is a danger he or she will spurn the Canada shirt for the one of another, usually better, country. It’s just the way things work. There’s the initial fear, a period of uncertainty, and then either relief when they do pick Canada or a sickening sense of fate when they don't.
    Counting myself among those aforementioned Canadian supporters as I do is why I’ve been following along with the saga of Mexican forward Carlos Vela with a mixture of bewilderment and fascination.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Last month, the 24-year-old finally laid to rest the ongoing drama around will he or won’t he?!?! commit to the Mexican squad for the 2014 World Cup. The answer being that no, he won’t. In a vague public letter he said it wouldn’t be fair to take the spot of another player who had fought with the team during World Cup qualifying while he sat in Europe and brooded, delivering cryptic messages via various media about his international intentions. And through all of it, he’s never really addressed the crucial question surrounding what exactly his problem is in playing for Mexico. Various theories exist, ranging from pure disinterest to longstanding grudges against those who manage Mexican football. For a sense of all this backstory, please check out Martha Guerra's strong account of the whole Vela ordeal in the Telegraph.
    Obviously some Mexican fans are quite upset and have thrown the word 'traitor' around less than lightly. Many others are simply confused, left to lament Vela’s absence as a terrible waste, both for the player and for the team. Canada has certainly suffered players who suddenly decided to stop showing up, and good ones too, like Tomascz Radzinski. But the general narrative around Canadian ‘defection’ involves someone turning their back on the team because of some sort of familial tie to another nation that supersedes what it would mean to pull on the Canada shirt. (The counterargument, obviously, is that given how the team is managed, that shirt doesn’t mean much.) So despite suffering a history of kind of the same thing – players saying ‘no’ to the national team – it’s hard for me to feel this as I believe a Mexican supporter would. Hard, but perhaps helpful, because thoughtful sports fans often become far too engrossed in their own woes, convinced that no supporter of any other team anywhere, ever could possibly have absorbed as much frustration and psychological damage as themselves.
    This might be a good time to mention TFC supporters, who certainly have reason to feel aggrieved over what they've been subjected to over the past seven seasons. But it's still only seven seasons. Many sports fans wait their entire lives and then die without ever seeing their team win the Big Prize, whatever that may be. They content themselves with smaller victories, those joys that are enough to keep them coming back, because in any case they can’t really leave. But in a matter of months and a few phone calls from Drake, suddenly TFC boasted one of the strongest squads in Major League Soccer, albeit only on paper.
    The pain and the pleasure is relative. And that’s what brings us back to those Canadian fans who would murder their own for the guaranteed passage Mexico enjoys to every single World Cup. What we fail to grasp are the implications around that being the expectation. Wouldn't Concacaf dominance make the failure to ever do anything beyond the group stages at the World Cup more soul-sucking for the average national team supporter? Mexico hosts one of the most financially successful domestic leagues anywhere in the world. It's a robust, growing country of 120 million football-mad people with all the accompanying resources and yet it is continually overshadowed on the international stage by smaller countries in South America (not to mention these days, even the U.S.). Such indignities can't sit well on the psyche.
    The idea of Carlos Vela as some sort of Messi-like saviour is silly, but so is the idea that your best player suddenly decides he doesn’t want to represent your country anymore – not because of split loyalty or the tantalizing opportunity for a trade-up beckons – but for murky, unarticulated motives.
    When lamenting the depressing state of the sports team you support, it begs remembering that the pain doesn't necessarily correspond with how horrible your team is on the pitch, or ice or diamond. The pain only exists at different levels, to be experienced through different, unexpected slants that don't make it any easier to suffer.
    The image above is by wonker from London, United Kingdom (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonker/2902441481/) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
    Guest
    The draw for this summer's U20 Women's World Cup took place Saturday afternoon, with Canada learning its path to the knockout round.
    Canada will open the tournament against Ghana at Toronto's BMO Field on Aug. 5, then meet Finland at BMO Field on Aug. 8 before traveling to Montreal to meet North Korea at Olympic Stadium on Aug. 12.
    Canada also played North Korea in its final group-stage match of the 2012 tournament, a 2-1 loss that knocked Canada out of the tournament. This time out, both teams will likely make the knockout stage, with that final game determining who finishes first and second... although the youth ranks are always highly unpredictable.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The tournament's "group of death" is surely Group B, which contains Germany, USA, Brazil and China.
    More info on the draw results and ticket information can be found on the official tournament website; we'll have more analysis here in the weeks and months ahead.
    Guest
    One week to go in preseason. One game to go till the Whitecaps lift the Rose City Invitational tournament crown in Portland (a crown of thorns in the Rose City?). It's not over yet, but we're feeling alright. Well, kind of. There still looks to be a long road ahead.
    The big news of the week in Whitecapsland was the signing of young DP Matias Laba. We pick over the bones of that move, what it means to the team and the other midfielders in the squad. We also hear some thoughts from coach <b>Carl Robinson</b> on the acquisition.
    We look back at what can be learned from the two games in the Portland tournament so far, against Portmore United and San Jose Earthquakes, and look ahead to the final game this weekend.
    And there's still time to listen to the fun chat we had with <b>Jordan Harvey</b> after Sunday's win over Portmore.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Have a listen!
    You can listen to this week's podcast on iTunes <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/aftn/id628306235" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.
    Or download it for your later listening delight <a href="http://aftn.podbean.com/" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>
    We also have an iPhone app, so you can now add our podcast to your phone as an app. Visit the podcast's mobile site <a href="http://aftn.podbean.com/mobile/" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a> and then at the bottom of the screen just click the "Quick Launch" icon and the podcast will be added to your home screen and appear as an app.
    And if that's not enough, we've joined <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/michael-mccoll/the-aftn-soccer-podcast?refid=stpr" target="_blank"><u><b>Stitcher Radio Network</b></u></a>. Download the app and listen to the AFTN podcast on your device, along with over 15,000 shows <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/michael-mccoll/the-aftn-soccer-podcast?refid=stpr" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.
    Or after all that, you could just listen on the player below!
    <iframe width="100%" height="100" id="audio_iframe" src="http://www.podbean.com/media/player/audio/postId/5075533/url/http%253A%252F%252Faftn.podbean.com%252F2014%252F02%252F27%252Fepisode-42-the-aftn-soccer-podcast-its-not-over-yet-but-were-feeling-alright%252F?skin=3" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
    <p>
    Guest

    Laba gone

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    The widely reported loan of Matias Laba to Vancouver was actually a trade. What Toronto gets back is unknown at this time, but is thought to be allocation based on his performance.
    MLS thinks its fans don't deserve to know how much allocation trades hands in trades so let's just assume it's $1 billion.
    CSN will break down the move in more detail later today.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Guest
    It's not us, it's them.
    After years of wondering why Canada contented itself playing in the second-tier Cyprus Cup while the marquee-team-laden Algarve Cup ran concurrently -- and wondering whether CSA complacency had something to do with it -- I've finally gotten an answer: We want in... Canada wants in to the Algarve Cup, but the feeling isn't mutual.
    "We proactively went after a spot in (this year's) Algarve Cup," women's national team head coach John Herdman said Wednesday. "We made waves to see if we could get into that tournament. But we were relying on somebody dropping out."
    Herdman said CSA president Victor Montagliani and general secretary Peter Montopoli "made all the connections with the right people and discussed the potential" -- but ultimately, it came down to a matter of no team wanting to cede their spot (which, by extension, means tournament organizers were unwilling to rescind their invitation to another country for the sake of Canada).
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    If you're wondering what difference it makes, keep in mind that Herdman has repeatedly said Canada's goal is to be in the final of next year's Women's World Cup. In order to get there, it's virtually guaranteed they'll need to defeat one of the top three teams in the world: Germany, the USA or Japan. Playing against those opponents is the best way to prepare for hopefully beating them in 2015... and guess which tournament those three teams are in this year?
    Now, this year things are a bit different, given that the CSA has taken the admirable step of scheduling friendlies against all three of those nations, all on Canadian soil. Those friendlies will ultimately prove more useful in preparing for the 2015 World Cup than participation in the Algarve Cup could. And in that respect, Herdman says playing in this year's Cyprus Cup could actually comprise an important part of the World Cup planning process.
    "We have a goal of being the most organized and technically adaptable team at the (World Cup)," Herdman said Wednesday. "You've got to get a balance."
    He noted that althought the route to the final will be paved with Tier I teams -- those in the top seven or eight spots in the global rankings -- there is also the matter of the Tier II or Tier III teams who will be a part of the group stage, and finding the right way to manage those games in the context of a larger tournament.
    "When you play Tier I teams, you have to resort to certain tactics which are more physically draining and demanding... Knowing that in Game 1 or Game 2 or Game 3, you only want a physical output of X or Y, these are the sorts of details we try to get to in planning for a seven-game tournament."
    (Note that the only way Canada plays a seven-game tournament is if they make the final. Herdman's clearly not backing down from his goal.)
    "Going into Cyprus is a blessing in disguise in some ways, because we get to practice certain things and hone certain skills that you just don't get away with against the U.S., who are 90 minutes high press, everything's high pressure, you can't settle on the ball.
    "This is good for us, and I think it'll prepare us for maybe two or three games max in (the World Cup)."
    Now, let's be clear, Canada's opponents at the Cyprus Cup are hardly creampuffs -- Big Red will find itself up against England (#11 in the world and reigning Cyprus champs), Italy (#13) and Finland (#23).
    So while Herdman, the CSA and many who follow the team (including, not surprisingly, the person whose words you're reading right now) believe the squad would have been better served by participation in the Algarve Cup, the reality is that all things considered, the program is planning for next year's Women's World Cup as well as possible, given the restrictions it faces.
    But what about getting a spot in next year's Algarve Cup, which would be Canada's first appearance at the invitation-only shindig since 2003? Herdman thinks our hosting of the World Cup could be used as a "bargaining chip" to possibly wriggle our way into the tournament.
    And hey, even if that doesn't work, there's always Cyprus!
    .
    Guest
    On the surface it might seem strange that Vancouver is the team that TFC is loaning Matias Laba to. The two sides are Canadian rivals with lots of banter commonly tossed between the two groups of fans.
    However, it's a totally different thing at the management level. There, TFC and Vancouver have had a very good relationship dating back to the Caps first year in the league. There was a time when Vancouver was pretty much the only team willing to work with Toronto, actually.
    So, it's not surprising that they would step up again today.
    Make no mistake, Vancouver is doing Toronto a favour. The only way Toronto could protect the full value of the asset was to arrange an intra-league loan and no one else was prepared to do that for the Reds.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Now, Laba gets to stay in the league (and, yes, for national team dreamers, the country), Toronto keeps his rights and gets a full year to evaluate whether they want to re-structure a non-DP contract in 2015 to keep him.
    That gives Jonathan Osorio another year to develop, which might make Laba an unnecessary asset in a year's time. In that case, there is a sell-on clause in the loan deal, which would allow Toronto to get some money back for the player if he stays in Vancouver. If they had tried to trade him now, they would have been lucky to have gotten a late draft pick (I.e. nothing) for him since clubs understood that TFC had to move him.
    So why would Vancouver do it?
    Well, they get an above average player for a year for next to nothing (and possibly nothing at all). It's a low-risk, year-long trial. If he under performs they let him go back to Toronto. If he excels then they benefit from that directly and might be able to reach a deal to keep him.
    It's cliche, but this is one of those "good for both teams" kind of moves.
    Both clubs also further the relationship between each other. Fans may not appreciate the value in that, but make no mistake it's important. In many ways Toronto and Vancouver are alone in MLS as the only two English Canadian clubs. The Impact march to their own beat and, well, USA! USA! USA! is the call in the rest of MLS.
    As fans, we should continue to take the piss out of each other -- sports without partisanship is just grown men in short pants chasing a ball -- but at an ownership level All for One needs to be Together for Canadian Issues.
    Guest

    Matias Laba heading to Vancouver

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    With all of their offseason acquisitions, it was becoming less and less likely that Toronto FC would be able to keep hold of their Argentine midfield DP Matias Laba.
    Whitecaps fans said early doors what a good fit he would be in Vancouver if their Canadian rivals wanted to ship him off to the Western Conference.
    Today, those wishes came true and Laba is heading to Vancouver on loan for the season and he won't be the only other new face joining the Whitecaps before the new season gets underway.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Things have moved quickly. We originally tweeted out the news that the deal was close to being done just before 5pm, with more information coming out just over an hour later, whilst Greg Anderson and Bobby Lenarduzzi have been busy on their phones at training in Portland.
    Nothing has yet been confirmed by the Whitecaps and no terms of the loan deal are currently known, but, on paper at least, the addition of Laba seems like another great bit of business by Carl Robinson, who has been building up a strong starting line up quietly the last few weeks.
    He also seems to have a taste for Latin and South Americans, with a further Designated Player set to be added shortly in the shape of a Latino attacking midfielder who is currently plying his trade over in Europe.
    As we revealed on our latest podcast. the Caps were looking at adding two DPs. One, we were told, was to be a young box to box midfielder who would qualify for the young DP tag. Laba is now confirmed as that man.
    Laba came to Toronto in April last year after four seasons with Argentine side Argentinos Junior. He went on to make 16 appearances in Major League Soccer last season, all of them starts, grabbing one goal and playing mostly a defensive midfielder role.
    Laba only had a guaranteed salary of $200,000 last season (the maximum cap hit for young DPs) and as we mentioned, no details are known yet as to who is picking up what amount of the tab this year and what that tab will even be. It is also unknown if he will be allowed to play against Toronto in the Voyageurs Cup games, but you would have to feel that normal footballing practice will apply and he won't be allowed to.
    The acquisition packs an already congested defensive midfield area and the midfield in general. Nigel Reo-Coker has been playing there and looking okay, but not making the surging runs of last season as he looks to be struggling to get fully fit.
    Russell Teibert has played a little bit as a holding midfielder and central midfield workhorse and looked to be the best of the bunch, whilst Bryce Alderson has impressed in training and preseason action but Laba's addition is likely to eat into some of the minutes he could have got.
    Laba's addition and the performances of others is likely to make it even harder for Gershon Koffie to get back into the starting line up. The Ghanaian has been inconsistent for the past two seasons and not had a good preseason camp.
    Whilst highly thought of by many in Vancouver, we have argued for a while that there is some merit in trading him and cashing in on his perceived high value stock.
    Other midfielders like Matt Watson are now very much on the periphery looking in.
    Laba will join up with the Whitecaps in Portland in the next day or so and may see some gametime before the Rose City Invitational is finished on Saturday.
    More on this story to come as we get it....
    <p>
    Guest
    It's Called Football will not be back anytime soon.
    But, don't fret. The spirit of ICF will live on in a new CSN podcast, which will be launched Monday and will run weekly throughout the MLS season. Exact details of how it will be distributed will be released by the time of the debut podcast.
    Hosted by Kevin Laramee and myself, Duane Rollins, the Two Solitudes MLS podcast will cover MLS issues from a Canadian perspective, as well as the Canadian national teams and Canadian-based NASL teams. It will feature interviews from leading MLS, NASL and Canadian players, leaders, journalists and news makers.
    In other words it will sound almost the same as ICF did and will aim to provide the same high quality, professional coverage that ICF did throughout its run.
    The name Two Solitudes is a double entendre making reference to both the fact that Kevin is from French Canada and I am from English Canada (the two founding colonizing powers of Canada) and that MLS itself features two solitudes in the divide between American and Canadian based teams.
    Just like the conflict between French and English has defined much of Canadian history, the conflict between Canadian and American needs is a unique aspect of MLS that has and will continue to influence MLS history.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
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