Pierce already did a great job of breaking down the Whitecaps' signings of Terry Dunfield and Greg Janicki to MLS contracts, as well as Vancouver's decision to move on without Willis Forko, Simon Thomas and Luca Bellisomo, but the Bellisomo decision in particular might show us something about the future of soccer in Canada.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]The debate around if the CSA should sanction further Canadian teams in D2 American leagues or focus on trying to start their own national league has raged quite a bit lately, and you can make a case for both angles. However, if you're trying to argue the Canadian teams in American D2 leagues side, Bellisomo might just provide you with an excellent case in point.
Bellisomo had been with the Whitecaps since 2008, spending much of that first season with the residency team but taking on larger roles with the first squad as time went on. In 2009 and 2010, his versatility proved tremendously useful to an injury-racked Whitecaps squad, and he spent plenty of time in central defence and midfield while also making appearances at wingback and and up front. To me, he never looked like a particularly dazzling player, but he demonstrated solid tackling form and a good understanding of the game and showed a fair bit of potential at times. From this vantage point, his skills may have been best used as a defensive midfielder, covering for forward forays from Martin Nash or other players. He made plenty of decent passes, won a considerable number of balls in the air and generally looked like he belonged as a starter on a good Division II team.
That's part of the problem, though. It's pretty obvious that Bellisomo probably wouldn't be a good MLS starter at the moment, particularly in midfield. He might fit in better in central defence, but despite their limited roster at the moment, the Whitecaps already have that part of the back line reasonably solidified with Jay DeMerit and Janicki; Mouloud Akloul also looks likely to perhaps earn a MLS contract, and it's quite possible the team may be looking at others from outside as well. The wingback slots also already have some strong players in Wes Knight and Jonathan Leathers, and Bellisomo's skill set isn't really a great fit for that position; he's more of a defensive-minded tackler than someone with the ability to make explosive runs or deliver stunning crosses. His versatility might make him an interesting player to keep around in case of crisis, but his ability to make an impact off the bench is limited, as is many defensive players. Ultimately, Bellisomo is a good player, but probably not quite good enough for MLS at the moment.
Given that, it's hard to blame the Whitecaps for axing him. Bellisomo is 24, so not exactly over the hill, but it's not like he's a pure prospect either. It's also not like he has jaw-dropping skills but needs the patience or football IQ that develop over time; I'd argue he's already strong in those departments. There's certainly some ways he could improve, but the Whitecaps have already seen what he can contribute, and they've come to the conclusion that that isn't enough to earn him a spot on their limited MLS roster at the moment. You can take issue with that if you like, but I doubt many would even bat an eye if it wasn't for his local roots and Canadian passport.
Getting rid of Bellisomo might suggest that the club's policies on developing and playing Canadian talent might not be as strong as some would like, but to me, it's more indicative that their focus at the moment is putting out an MLS roster that's ready to compete from the get-go. Bellisomo might offer some minor help towards those goals at the moment, but his chief value on the roster would be if he improved dramatically down the road. The Whitecaps likely are going to have some prospects on their final roster, but they apparently think they can find others with a higher chance of developing into solid MLS players than Bellisomo. From this corner, it's tough to disagree.
However, that doesn't mean that Bellisomo is a write-off as a player. He's shown in the last few seasons that he can be a solid contributor at the Division II level. What position he plays and whether he's a regular starter or not probably depends on the squad, but he certainly can add value to a Division II team. If he winds up with one (or the equivalent of one overseas) and is able to secure regular playing time, there's a decent chance he can improve his skills. If he gets enough experience and develops sufficiently, it's possible he could play for an MLS squad, a decent European team or the Canadian national team. The two players the Whitecaps did offer contracts to should give him some hope; Janicki started in the PDL and then USL-2, after all, and Dunfield bounced all over the place before coming home to Vancouver. You never know how players are going to turn out; Bellisomo could be a valuable contributor for someone right now and perhaps a pleasant surprise down the road.
The problem is that his options at the moment aren't exactly staggering, though. For Division II at the moment, the Canadian NASL teams are FC Edmonton and the Montreal Impact (who will only be there for one year before moving to MLS themselves). Either could perhaps be a possibility, but that's only two alternatives. There are also plenty of American teams at both the NASL and USL Pro levels, but USL Pro seems like a step down and American NASL rosters won't necessarily be easy for a Canadian to crack (particularly when there are plenty of talented defenders coming out of NCAA soccer; they might not have Bellisomo's current skill and experience, but they have potential of their own and might be more attractive for an American franchise to develop). There's the CSL, but I'm not sure it really offers much development potential for a player who already has Bellisomo's experience. There's Europe, but spots there aren't always the easiest to land, and a lot depends on if Bellisomo can find a team that's the right fit for him. There's a decent chance he'll land on his feet somewhere, but the odds aren't necessarily in his favour.
Obviously, not all Canadian players are going to be able to crack a MLS roster either immediately or as a developmental prospect. Division II can play a valuable role in developing those players, as both the Whitecaps and Impact have shown over the years, and that level of play can be an excellent spot for players like Bellisomo to find a home. Further Canadian teams in American Division II leagues certainly wouldn't feature entirely Canadian rosters, but it's in their interests to try and bring along homegrown players (just as it's in American D-II teams' interests to try and bring along American players), and the more Canadian teams there are at that level, the more homegrown prospects will be developed. If Bellisomo's able to find another good spot with the current setup, that's great, and an eventual high-calibre Canadian league might offer even more opportunities for players like him. More Canadian teams in American D-II leagues would certainly provide more chances for those like Bellisomo, though, those who at the moment are good but not quite enough for MLS.