Star among the all-stars
Saturday, July 26, 2008 | 02:13 PM ET
Beckham was there. So were Blanco, Angel and Donovan while Nash and Posh looked on as the All-Stars descended on Toronto. Yet the man they wanted to see most was the guy who plays there every week.
The broadcast booth is full of distractions while trying to focus on the game but the deafening chant which reverberated around the stadium on the 50 minute mark came through loud and clear: “We Want Brennan!” The fans’ demands were finally met ten minutes later and a huge ovation greeted the Toronto FC captain’s appearance along with compatriot Dwayne De Rosario.
The 2008 All-Star circus has come and gone to critical acclaim – the tickets were a little pricey but the fans were treated to a competitive, entertaining match at which the atmosphere matched the occasion. Not for the first time Major League Soccer’s top brass left BMO Field wishing every stadium in the League were this full and this noisy and in the knowledge that other Canadian cities, particularly Montreal and Vancouver, are ready and willing to demonstrate MLS has a strong future elsewhere North of the 49th parallel.
League Commissioner Don Garber used his time in Canada to confirm two more franchises will be added by 2011 and there can be little doubt at least one of them will be on Canadian soil. Indeed, a number of the American journalists I spoke to this week went further, firm in the belief both the Impact and the Whitecaps will be selected to expand the League to eighteen teams within the next three years.
In Montreal, owner Joey Saputo is impatient to get the MLS green light. Mr. Saputo insists his organisation is good to go next year, never mind three years hence, while on the West coast the emergence of Steve Nash as an investor brings star appeal to the Vancouver bid and perhaps a chance for his younger brother Martin to shine in the twilight of his career.
Commissioner Garber is rightly conscious of the need to maintain quality control in terms of the on field product during expansion but the highly competitive nature of the recent Nutrilite Canadian Championship can be seen as a huge positive. While the failure of Toronto FC is something of a black eye for Major League Soccer, Montreal’s success and Vancouver’s spirited performances proves there are players of a similar standard not currently on the MLS roster.
Further franchises in Canada will also help to harness home grown talent. The best Canadian youngsters, for generations forced to seek employment overseas, will now have the credible option of staying at home and making a good living in North America. Player development is critical to long term sustainability – there are already fully-fledged Youth Academies in both Toronto and Vancouver while in Quebec Montreal’s farm team, The Trois-Rivières Attak, aims to give youth a chance.
Jim Brennan never had that chance in Canada – as a talented teenager his travels took him initially to Italy before a highly successful career in England. The TFC skipper couldn’t wait to come home once there was somewhere to play. His professional dream was fulfilled long before he got to play in the All-Star game.
Perhaps he has one more – to mark fellow All-Star David Beckham when Canada meets England at the 2010 World Cup. Now that would be a sight to savour.
« Previous Post | Main | Next Post »
This discussion is now Open. Submit your Comment.
« Previous Post | Main | Next Post »
Post a Comment
Extra Time »
About the Author
Nigel Reed lends his extensive experience, passion and knowledge of the game of soccer to his role as play-by-play announcer for CBC’s Major League Soccer broadcasts.
Reed has more than 20 years experience covering soccer, most notably a five-year stint from 1999 to 2004 where he was a host and producer for the English Premier League for BBC. He also covered English Premier League giants Liverpool and Everton for BBC Radio and provided analysis for both BBC TV and the BBC website.
More recently, Reed served as play-by-play announcer for CBC’s coverage of the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He also hosts The Soccer Show for the Toronto sports radio station the Fan 590.
Recent Posts
- Slow progress for Toronto FC
- Wednesday, September 24, 2008
- Reds are playing for pride
- Tuesday, September 16, 2008
- Barrett's one for the future
- Friday, September 12, 2008
- Can Carlos Ruiz cut it in Canada?
- Sunday, August 31, 2008
- Bidding adieu to Maurice Edu
- Sunday, August 17, 2008
- Subscribe to Extra Time
Archives
- September 2008 (3)
- August 2008 (3)
- July 2008 (4)
- June 2008 (5)
- May 2008 (5)
- April 2008 (6)
- March 2008 (8)
