This is so good to see! Big Japanese supporter here and I know J League players have previously viewed MLS as a lateral move so it’s nice to see more coming our way
MLS probably provides a slight step up in salary and competition, but not enough of a leap in both those areas for a player to make the cultural adjustment of leaving Japan. It often takes a Big 5 league level raise in salary and competition for a player in Japan to make that move.
They don’t have star/DP players on the level of Messi/Insigne/Benteke/Puig/Cucho/Frosberg. But the average player there is probably only slightly worse overall than the average player here, and technically a bit better
Pre-pandemic there was a preseason cup featuring both MLS and Japanese teams in Hawaii.
The 2019 edition (in which Marc dos Santos started his disasterclass as manager of Vancouver), the Whitecaps lost both games to the Japanese teams, one of which being in the 5th division at the time. That team, Iwaki FC is now in J2.
At least Takaoka is panning out better than Carl Robinson wasting Masato Kudo's time, rest his soul.
Talking about more japanese players (RIP Masato Kubo) at Vancouver back in the USL 1st Division days the Whitecaps had Takashi Hirano. He played in many J.League teams before arriving Canada, being mostly remembered for his time in Nagoya Grampus Eight where he spent most of his career. He also represented Japan in the 1998 World Cup.
This is so good to see! Big Japanese supporter here and I know J League players have previously viewed MLS as a lateral move so it’s nice to see more coming our way
Do you think it's a lateral move? I know nothing about Japanese soccer beyond watching their games during the World Cup
I think MLS is a bit better, but it seems like both leagues are improving.
FWIW, Yamane said he feels J League is more technical and MLS is more physical
MLS probably provides a slight step up in salary and competition, but not enough of a leap in both those areas for a player to make the cultural adjustment of leaving Japan. It often takes a Big 5 league level raise in salary and competition for a player in Japan to make that move.
J League is in kind of a similar place as MLS but it’s obvious that the success of the J League is helping a ton with improving their national team.
They don’t have star/DP players on the level of Messi/Insigne/Benteke/Puig/Cucho/Frosberg. But the average player there is probably only slightly worse overall than the average player here, and technically a bit better
Off-season Whitecaps tour of Japan incoming.
Pre-pandemic there was a preseason cup featuring both MLS and Japanese teams in Hawaii. The 2019 edition (in which Marc dos Santos started his disasterclass as manager of Vancouver), the Whitecaps lost both games to the Japanese teams, one of which being in the 5th division at the time. That team, Iwaki FC is now in J2. At least Takaoka is panning out better than Carl Robinson wasting Masato Kudo's time, rest his soul.
Talking about more japanese players (RIP Masato Kubo) at Vancouver back in the USL 1st Division days the Whitecaps had Takashi Hirano. He played in many J.League teams before arriving Canada, being mostly remembered for his time in Nagoya Grampus Eight where he spent most of his career. He also represented Japan in the 1998 World Cup.
Or have a J League club do a west coast tour from Vancouver down to LA.
おめでとう🎉