New soccer league now has feeder system

TORONTO The new Canadian Premier League added depth and a place to percolate talent on Wednesday by purchasing Ontario’s League 1.

The new pro circuit says League 1 will become “an integral part of the CPL,” providing future opportunities for players “who are not quite ready, to further develop their skills and find success in the professional game.”

The Canadian Premier League is slated to kick off next spring with seven teams.

Founded in 2014, League 1 started with a 10-team men’s division. It has grown to 17 men’s teams and 13 women’s teams.

League 1 is designated as a third-division men’s league. CPL will be considered Canada’s top-flight, a top-tier league as MLS is in the United States

“A win-win for soccer in Ontario and, really, soccer in our country,” Johnny Misley, Ontario Soccer’s chief executive, said of the CPL deal.

“This truly provides a real solid pathway for players, even coaches and referees for that matter, to support and be one level below what is professional soccer now and a domestic league program,” he added. “So it’s fantastic.”

League 1 is deemed a pro-am league. Most players are amateur but some teams offer a few players “modest compensation,” according to Misley.

CPL commissioner David Clanachan says having the League 1 women’s teams provides the CPL with an entry into the women’s game.

“Because it’s one of the top three questions I get asked all the time — ‘What are you going to do about women in the future?’ Technically, I’m more focused on the men’s game but this lets us at least try to help going forward.”

Clanachan says the addition of League 1 will at the least allow the CPL to be part of the development of the women’s game. That could expand down the line.