Canadian content 2009: What's in a nationality?
I spent an hour or so this morning catching up on my Canadian content spreadsheets for the Whitecaps, Impact, and Toronto FC. In doing so, I was confronted with a question.
The question: Should I classify O'Brian White as Canadian?
Sure, he's repped Jamaica at youth levels, and most sites list him as Jamaican, though the newspapers seem not to know about this. On the other hand, I've been counting Eduardo Sebrango as Canadian for the past two years (he has Canadian citizenship, and hasn't played for Cuba since immigrating, obviously) so to be fair to TFC I have been including him.
Have thoughts on this issue? Leave a comment.
I don't expect it will make a whole lot of difference, as White likely won't pile up a whole lot of minutes this year.
At the end of the year, I'll compile final tables with and without the 'questionable Canadians' (White and Sebrango -- not sure of any others on Canada's pro teams at the moment).
A look at the numbers to date:
| MONTREAL IMPACT | |||
| Competition | CDN | Total | Percent |
| CONCACAF Champions League | 762 | 1980 | 38.5% |
| USL Regular Season | 9085 | 19760 | 46.0% |
| Voyageurs Cup | 1780 | 3941 | 45.2% |
| Totals | 11627 | 25681 | 45.27% |
| VANCOUVER WHITECAPS | |||
| Competition | CDN | Total | Percent |
| USL Regular Season | 9384 | 19795 | 47.4% |
| Voyageurs Cup | 1595 | 3960 | 40.3% |
| Totals | 10979 | 23755 | 46.22% |
| TORONTO FC | |||
| Competition | CDN | Total | Percent |
| MLS Regular Season | 7180 | 20750 | 34.6% |
| Voyageurs Cup | 1570 | 3960 | 39.6% |
| CONCACAF Champions League | 646 | 1980 | 32.6% |
| Totals | 9396 | 26690 | 35.2% |
Vancouver and Montreal in particular have been trotting out a lot of Canucks lately, but Toronto has also upped their Canadian content, and should be fielding a fairly Canadian XI once Nana Attakora returns to full health.
Labels: impact, pro, toronto fc, whitecaps
2 Comments:
I would say White has to be considered Canadian until he is cap tied to Jamaica. It's unlikely he will ever play for Canada, but technically possible under the new rules.
If he does chose Jamaica then re-open the debate.
Seems reasonable enough, and likely the approach I'll take.
White is an old young player (turns 24 in December) so unless he becomes such a shining star that he gets a senior Reggae Boyz selection, it may never get to that point. He's too old for U23 or anything younger.
If he scores more goals for TFC (I can't say that the rest of his play yesterday was anything to write home about) he should get a look.
Post a Comment
<< Home