Every week we’ll talk to Sportsnet commentator Paul Dolan about the latest issues in MLS.
Pedro Morales was left off the MLS all-star team by Portland Timbers coach Caleb Porter. We’re you surprised by his omission? Does Morales deserve to be on the all-star team?
Pedro Morales absolutely deserves to be an all-star and ironically the player he reminds me of most, but has performed to an even better level than this year, is Caleb Porter’s Timber midfielder Diego Valeri who was chosen to represent the MLS All-Stars along with another Timbers midfielder in Will Johnson. Morales has better stats than both but more importantly, he is the central figure in a team that sits above Portland and he has perhaps the best passing ability I’ve seen in the league since the Whitecaps entered MLS in 2011. He should be there because of his ability to influence a game like maybe no-one else in the league but the Whitecaps will appreciate having him rested ahead of their game against the defending league champions a few days later.
Another week and another pair of losses for the Montreal Impact on the road in Columbus and Salt Lake. And yet, despite their struggles, the Impact aren’t that far off of the playoff zone in the Eastern Conference. Can Montreal get back into the post-season race with their current squad? Or do they need to go out and add several new pieces?
I’ve said since the season started that the Impact didn’t do enough in the off-season to strengthen a squad that faltered toward the end of last year and when I see their squad against RSL mid-week I just see far too many holes or secondary-type players lining up in important positions. I had high hopes for Hernan Bernadello, who was outstanding in his first game with the team last year, but his loss and injuries to Adrian Lopez and Nelson Rivas among others have left the Impact short-handed and in need of some serious upgrading to make that move in the east. Hopefully, the addition of Ignacio Piatti later in the season can provide an immediate boost to the Impact but they are in need of help in more than just one area of the field.
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Toronto FC played Tottenham on Wednesday at BMO Field. What’s your view on MLS teams playing mid-season friendlies against European teams? There’s a business argument to be made in favour of them, but should that be the top consideration?
I think the Spurs friendly was different than most of these mid-season games because of the commitment from the Jermaine Defoe transfer but in general I think the last thing the MLS coaches and players want is to add another game, especially in a World Cup year when the break has already led to a congested schedule. In saying that, I remember the opportunity to play against Chelsea, AC Milan and Benfica during my playing career and they stand out as games you look back on fondly as barometers of how you stood against some of the best players in the world. Things have changed a bit now with regard to the business side of these friendlies but ideally one game every year or two at a time when the schedule isn’t as loaded would be a good compromise I believe.
What are your thoughts on Jay DeMerit’s decision to retire? How would you evaluate his time in Vancouver?
I was always a big proponent of what Jay Demerit brought to the Whitecaps because, for one, you always knew what that was; a killer tackle to set the tone of the game, tenacity versus his opponent throughout the match and determination to do everything he could to defend his goal. He took a straightforward approach that on occasion cost his team but for the most part when he was fit, I felt he was an important piece in the team’s defensive foundation and a real leader. His retirement is a surprise to me but he felt injuries finally caught up to him and he didn’t want to play at anything but his best. He was good for the Whitecaps on and off the field and I think he will be missed this season.
What did you make of Sporting Kansas City’s decision to sign Matt Besler and Graham Zusi to DP deals? What does this mean for MLS to have two more U.S. national team members locked up long term?
I think it’s excellent that MLS has signed two of their best US players who are in their prime to longer-term DP deals. I don’t necessarily think going overseas has improved other MLS players such as Brek Shea and Geoff Cameron, especially if they aren’t featuring consistently in the first team. Besler, Zusi and Omar Gonzalez at LA Galaxy signing new MLS deals ensures the majority of future USMNT players will be playing good quality, first team football and they will carry the responsibility of being stars on their teams in MLS which I think bodes well for future World Cup teams.
