Full-Time Midweek Podcast Now Available

The Full-Time Midweek podcast is now available for your listening pleasure. You can do so by subscribing via iTunes here.

This week, Tyler, Mike and Marc discuss the Whitecaps first signing to the MLS side in Jay DeMerit. You will also hear from Jay DeMerit as Tyler went one on one with Jay. Teitur Thordarson is also heard from as he spoke to Tyler.

Other topics include the MLS Reserve League, roster expansion and other MLS notes from the Don Garber state of the union address.

Plus random future Whitecaps signings of the absurd. This week, Robbie Savage.

Enjoy!!

Montreal & MLS - together at last?

Montreal Impact have called a press conference on Friday, May 7th, 2010 for a major soccer announcement. The anouncement if strongly believed to be that of Major League Soccer coming to Montreal in 2012. One year after Vancouver and Portland join in 2011. Montreal could have been one of the franchises in 2011 if it had not been for the dispute between Joey Saputo and Don Garber. Montreal will be the 19th franchise in MLS.

Sidenote... it would have been interesting to see if Montreal was in fact one of the franchises in 2011... which one, Vancouver or Portland, would have been sidelined for yet another year?

Vancouver to MLS in 2011... News from Garber and Derby County

Well, the worst kept secret in the history of North American soccer was finally revealed yesterday. Vancouver will join the MLS in 2011.

While I'm really happy Vancouver will move forward to "big league soccer" and continue to grow, it still kinda bothers me that it worked out to be a process of elimination. Seven cities, all the way down to four, with two spots open. From the beginning, Vancouver's bid led the way. It's just a shame, that - for example - they didn't beat out Miami, or have a better bid-book than Montreal. I asked MLS Commissioner Don Garber if he had any regrets about all the bids dropping out and not making a decision far sooner than now. He said that time was needed for the process. I say, what else is he supposed to say? I truly believe that had Garber made a decision (say around the MLS Cup in November), then the league would've come across a bit more professional (from a soccer/expansion bid-operations standpoint), and a little more rich (2 franchises at that time would have netted $80 million).

In the end, Vancouver won via last-man standing. The way things shook down, it looked more like the MLS desperately needed Vancouver... far more than Vancouver needed Major League Soccer.

Seven cities, down to four, with three of the four facing big questions. Meaning, the other city selected with the least amount of uncertainty will be chosen. All that being said, Garber basically confirmed that Portland will be announced on Friday (March 20). When I asked Garber about the rumblings coming from Portland, he grinned and said, "Portland remains a viable option...," and then quietly giggled like a little school-girl.

Some of the other things that came up on Wednesday...

- Nobody appeared to care to ask Don Garber how much Vancouver paid for their franchise. The MLS long stated that the $40 million expansion fee was non-negotiable. Montreal and Joey Saputo basically said, "Hey Garbs, you're crazy." Miami and Atlanta bailed because of the fees. Because I felt Vancouver really had the ball in their court, I figured they could have offered the MLS a Starbucks gift-card. No... not to be. $35 million was paid. Vancouver saves $5 million from the original demands.

- Garber says that Montreal remains a possibility down the road... but I really get the sense he dislikes Joey Saputo. Saputo and Montreal called him out. I don't think the commish will forget that.

- All this talk about the franchise not going with the name "Whitecaps" is crap. The name will live. It sounds like the MLS will try and stay away from it (ties to NASL, USL, etc...) for the time being. But at the end of the day (figure of speech, actually months from now), it will certainly be Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

- Vancouver co-owner and former Yahoo! President and COO Jeff Mallett is an incredibly nice guy. He stopped to chat with anybody and everybody. He also promised to join Full-Time in the near future. But Mallett revealed some other big news. He's now one of the newest owners at Derby County of the English League Championship. Of course Calgary billionaire and CBC's Dragon's Den panelist W. Brett Wilson is a part of Derby's ownership group. Mallett wasn't certain, but he thinks the club may now be completely owned by Canadians. The relationship between Derby and the Whitecaps could definitely be something to look for down the road.

- Vancouver's other co-owner and soccer saviour Greg Kerfoot is still unbelievably mysterious.

-MM

Whitecaps Residency Program could be the MLS sticking point

Reports earlier in the week from the Globe and Mail's Matthew Sekeres had the Vancouver Whitecaps winning one of the two expansion spots for the 2011 MLS season. Whitecaps President Bob Lenarduzzi joined 'Full-Time: Vancouver's Soccer Show' last Sunday and was quick to shoot that down report claiming it was premature and that the team is still in discussions with Major League Soccer. Hear the March 8 Full-Time podcast here.

Those on-going discussions with Don Garber and Major League Soccer include the fact that the current Whitecaps have developed one of the strongest and best residency programs North America. Developing talent within it's system, something the Caps don't want to lose. Lenarduzzi told Full-Time, "it is an important aspect of our club. What we are discussing with the league is their current model and how we can continue to pursue our desire to develop players."

Needless to say, it is important for the Whitecaps to continue this tradition of developing talent, look no further than their current roster. It includes numerous players that were developed in the Whitecaps residency program.

The discussions continue with the MLS. It will not be a make or break point on whether Vancouver gets in to the MLS (they are as good as in with or without this), it's just a talking point. I know the Whitecaps would love to continue the program when they make it into the MLS. Developing your own talent rather than relying on the draft or players from overseas would be a tremendous benefit and make the MLS a stronger league. So please Don Garber, take a page from the Whitecaps book and set this in motion. If other MLS clubs want to join with it, terrific, if they don't and would rather continue as is, let them.

-TG

TFC's Rohan Ricketts joins 'Full-Time' on the TEAM 1040

Full-Time: Vancouver's Soccer Show will be joined by Toronto FC's Rohan Ricketts this Sunday, March 15th at midnight following the Canucks vs Avalanche game. Rohan will preview the upcoming season for the TFC and give us his thoughts on the David Beckham saga. We'll also get his thoughts on the Nutrilite Canadian Championships. Ricketts will also talk about his involvement in the Athletes for Africa.

Ricketts will join Tyler Green and Mike Martignago every month during the MLS season to update the listeners on TFC's performances, talk Major League Soccer and it will give Rohan a chance to rant on whatever is bothering him in the world of soccer.

It all gets going at Midnight on Sunday, March 15th following the Canucks and Avalanche game on the TEAM 1040 Sports Radio in Vancouver.

For more information visit the Full-Time show page on the TEAM 1040

Steve Nash set to bring the European Soccer stars to Vancouver

Steve Nash, part of the group that is trying to bring Major League Soccer to Vancouver has a plan for Vancouver soccer regardless of whether an MLS franchise is awarded. Nash wants to host a charity soccer game in Vancouver on Sept. 19. The match would be much like the event Nash and NBA guard Baron David and former US national team captain, Claudio Reyna did last year in New York called "Showdown in Chinatown". A game in which included both celebrities and athletes, including Barcelona's Thierry Henry, Liverpool great Robbie Fowler and Chelsea's Salomon Kalou.

Nash is hoping to bring together some of Europe's best soccer player, along with current NBA stars for an eight-on-eight game against the Vancouver Whitecaps PDL (professional development) team.

In an interview with the Canadian Press, Nash said, "We're trying to bring the world's best athletes to the street, a really grassroots level, where the fans can reach out and touch them."

The event could likely take place at Andy Livingstone Park in Vancouver BC.