The Lynx have signed a deal to get access to CPSL players throughout the season. I know they are also playing two (or three?) exhibition games against CPSL sides this year.

A question for those who might know more about it than I do: How much do you think the Lynx will take advantage of this deal? Are we likely to see significant numbers of CPSL players on the field throughout this season? How does that work with the roster? (I assume the team has some sort of official roster registered with the A-league.)

Can't really comment much about this one. However, it is a step in the right direction, both by the CPSL and the Lynx. The idea here is to get the Canadian Soccer world working together, and although I would like to see the CPSL NOT to be treated as a minor league system, its better for the players because it will mean that seamless transfers between the two organizations can occur.

You might want to check out the Ultras Forums: http://www.xdesign.net/torontoultras/forum/default.asp

When you say you don't want the CPSL to be treated as a minor league system, do you mean "lower than the A-league" or "farm team"?

Certainly they are lower than the A-league.

As for the farm team approach, it would probably be better if the Lynx didn't actually run the teams but merely brought up the best players from that league. I can't see that being a bad thing. With the attendances they get and the fact that the league seems to be trying to put as many teams as possible in Toronto it's never going to be a viable pro league. Let them be the next best thing to the A-League and let the Lynx benefit. It can only serve to get more Canadian players moving up the CPSL-ALeague-MLS-Europe ladder.

As there should be a fair amount of concentration of CPSL players in S. Ontario region, it'd make sense that they should be able to pick up some roster support for low $$$. They'd be crazy not to pursue this closely.

I guess what the Whitecaps couldn't accomplish - but the Lynx did, is come to terms with a regional soccer body.

I know the Caps tried it with BCSoccer, but failed. I dont know how deeply invollved the CPSL is with the OSA but nonetheless it's a good step for the Lynx.

Does this mean that the Lynx have access to CPSL players on all teams? More to the point, will they have access to the Montreal players, or does the Impact have a agreement with them?

I just find it interesting that we may be able to coax a Montreal CPSL player to Toronto because fo this agreement. If so, Montreal's loss may be our gain.

With this agreement, I guess the draft for regional players is kind of pointless.

Let's start up the striker's and finisher's tryouts now.

I agree - surely there must be someone (or, hopefully, several someones) in the CPSL who can put the ball in the back of the net!

I also hope that the other A-League teams are able to take this agreement to their local leagues and say, "Hey, let's do the same thing." It can only help teams and players progress. Well, except maybe for the Impact. If the Lynx now have access to Ontario AND Quebec, there's no reason to start sharing, right?

One of the first players in the CPSL that I thought of was Eddy Berdusco. He did well in the A-League a couple of seasons ago. Not sure if he's too old. But last year with the Toronto Olympians he scored 12 goals.

Berdusco!

That's right he's with the Olympians of the CPSL. I always wondered why wasn't he courted by a A-League team such as the Lynx. Surely there are better places to play then Olympians.

I dont know if the Lynx will be able to get anyone from Montreal or Ottawa.

I can tell you that Ottawa hopes to move up to the A-League in 2003.

All CPSL teams have a right to turn down a request for players do they not?

Hard to imagine the man who scored one of the biggest goals in Canadian soccer history, exhibition or not, isn't playinsg somewhere int his league. For a Canadian club, you'd think the marketing angle alone would justify taking a look, especially of his health is not an issue.

Yes. A CPSL player is released to the Lynx for a game upon the request of the Lynx and the okay of that player's team. So I don't imagine the Lynx will be given star players at times that conflict with important matches for the CPSL team. It does seem, however, that the two sides are committed to having players get the chance to play for the Lynx. I can certainly see the upside for the CPSL when they are trying to attract players if they can make the claim of being a stepping stone to the A-League and back that claim up with actual player transfers.