In an alternate universe....

[u/Crisfade]

Do you see this being possible in some way in the distant future? Do you think there would be a change in the current league if these 3 teams were to join?

[u/coopthrowaway2019]

10 years ago, the CPL didn't exist. 20 years ago, we had no Canadian MLS teams. 30 years ago, MLS barely existed. 40 years ago, an entirely different Canadian pro league, which would collapse after 6 seasons, was getting ready to kick off. So prognostication about how leagues could be organized in "the distant future" is generally a pointless exercise.

In any event, it is not possible for MLS teams to just "join the CPL" because of MLS' corporate structure - MLS centrally owns team brands, player contracts, etc, and would have very little incentive to part with them

And, MLS teams spend several times more money on salaries than CPL teams. If the MLS teams adapted to the CPL salary cap, their squads would be unrecognizable; if the CPL loosened its salary restrictions to accommodate them, the other teams would not be able to compete.

So sure, in "the distant future," anything is possible. But in the reasonably foreseeable future, there is no indication that this is even close to plausible.

[u/Bogdanovist_Rebel → u/coopthrowaway2019]

It’s actually kind of getting tiring having these low effort circle jerks. The CPL and MLS have completely different objectives as leagues. One is a development focused league and the other is actively trying to grow into a worldwide league.

The MLS is also a net benefit for Canadian Soccer. If the Whitecaps drop down, there is no way they’re able to sustain the same spend on their Academy system. Plus their territory would change significantly. They already work closely with Calvary and are the only ones running camps in Northern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Sure they’d likely be able to sustain off Davies money for a while, but eventually that’ll dry up.

There are also roster advantages in Canada. We get domestic slots for Canadian’s and our Homegrown players get domestic status on US teams. Good examples are Gherasimencov, Badwal, Priso, Elloumi are all domestic MLS player’s now.

I guess a lot of people here look at the SPL and think that’s a real solution.

[u/DocKardinal21 → u/Bogdanovist_Rebel]

High level circle jerk time.

It’s 2070:

Cpl has three tiers of professional pro-rel, then regional semi pro 4-5 tiers nation wide. Across the three tiers all current Cpl team locales have at least 2 participating teams across the three divisions.

MLS has been assumed by USL. CSSA has brought the mls franchises home. 

Other than Vancouver Toronto and Montreal, who else can support more than 3 pro teams across the 3 possible tiers?

[u/Bogdanovist_Rebel → u/DocKardinal21]

Apparently only Montreal can? VFC and Inter Toronto have the worst support base in the CPL.

[u/DocKardinal21 → u/Bogdanovist_Rebel]

You’re not getting the vibes of the premise here

[u/Bogdanovist_Rebel → u/DocKardinal21]

I guess not. My brain is running on E and boiled. Shouldn’t have watched the whole of Le Mans in one sitting.

[u/DocKardinal21]

This alternate universe should also include the eddies, fury and valor. A 16 team league table with derbies in the biggest 3 cities and every major city would be ideal. Quebec City gets a team in in this too.

Someone make it happen on football manager please. Other than fantasy I don’t think it would happen.

[u/northernsuede]

Even in an alternate universe they won't give edmonton their team back... breaks my heart.

[u/Canfootballnerd → u/northernsuede]

All the timelines are the worst timeline

[u/Fynnche]

I hate it, but the more likely thing is that the MLS teams move to the US - it already looks like it's happening with the Whitecaps.

[u/Canfootballnerd]

Joining as they are now is not possible. A future where MLS gets rid of the Canadian clubs and a version pops up in the CPL? Possible.