That’s what Toronto FC Business Director Paul Beirne posted to his Twitter account earlier today. It’s an astonishingly profound statement to be coming from the club, even if it is currently just a one-liner in the “discussion” stages.

In light of the recent abrupt defection of 20-year-old FC Utrecht player Jacob Lensky from Canada to the Czechs, Beirne’s sentiment is a positively refreshing one.

It’s obvious to anyone who has followed the local game that it is the professional clubs that will force the positive change the sport needs in this country.

The Vancouver Whitecaps have taken it upon themselves to raise the bar of youth development through its top-down total club structure and residency program, and the results are already manifesting themselves. The Impact have forged partnerships with Quebec soccer and provided an avenue for young players in that province to thrive. If you’re reading this site, I don’t need to explain to you what TFC has done for the soccer landscape, not only in the GTA but also the entire country.

Now it seems TFC is at least considering taking the steps of ensuring that its burgeoning Academy program will benefit Canada instead of some European power ready to cherry pick the most promising children of ex-pats for its own gain.

Is it all a bit jingoistic?

Perhaps, but given the alarming frequency with which this particular country seems to be losing players to top programs that would be fine without our help, it’s a symbolic-yet-needed step in the right direction.

If you’re a Canadian kid playing for TFC Academy, and you’re good enough, you’ll eventually play for Canada. Period. Full stop. No excuses.

I love it.

Let’s hope this “discussion” eventually becomes the rule.

Posted by Rudi Schuller