Thursday April 4, 2024...'What The CPL Can Become...It Excites Everybody' Ricardo Pasquel Talks to ESPN (from York United FC)
'WHAT THE CPL CAN BECOME...IT EXCITES EVERYBODY': RICARDO PASQUEL TALKS TO ESPN The club president joined Sebastian Salazar for a conversation on Futbol Americas. York United FC's President and GM, Ricardo Pasquel, has been singing the praises of the club's young players in a new interview with high-profile ESPN show Futbol Americas. Speaking to host Sebastian Salazar about the level of play in the CPL and how it measures up against other leagues, Pasquel mentioned how a particularly satisfying aspect of The Nine Stripes' offseason has been the performances of some of the more inexperienced players. "This is a league that has a salary cap," he began. "But, having said that, the quality of play - especially from the young guys...I've been really happy with the quality. And knowing what these 17, 18, 19-year-old kids can become three or four years down the road - it's very exciting and it has surprised me a lot, to be honest." Pasquel also reiterated the biggest objective of Game Plan Sports Group: to invest in the development of Canadian players. As much as the ownership group wants to succeed across the Canadian Premier League, Canadian Championship and ultimately in CONCACAF competition, scouting and curating the finest young players in the country is a firm commitment. "Two CPL teams now qualify for the CONCACAF Championship, and also the winner of the Canadian Championship - so that's a pretty big objective of ours," Pasquel said. "Having said that, the investment group want to focus on working with young Canadian talent. We think the talent is here, we just have to do a good job of scouting them, developing them, so they can become superstars." Pasquel also spoke about the CPL's level of growth in such a short space of time and how excited he is for the evolution of the domestic game. "The CPL has only had three full years - taking away two due to the pandemic," he said. "So in some ways it's a baby league. But it has grown tremendously in just three years of existence. And the league has an expansion plan. There is a bright future for the CPL. What it can become down the road...excites everybody." © 2024 YORK UNITED FCback to 2024 York United FC menu
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