Canadian soccer is the ‘big benefactor’
With Canadian players dominating their lineups, southern Ontario’s two new pro soccer teams meet in the inaugural game of the Canadian Premier League Saturday afternoon at Tim Hortons Field.
York9 FC, representing the nine municipalities directly north of Toronto, will face Forge FC, the hometown side owned by Hamilton Tiger-Cats owner Bob Young.
York9 FC is coached by Canadian soccer legend Jim Brennan, the original captain of MLS side Toronto FC, symbolizing the CPL’s Canada-first approach.
“The biggest benefactor of this league is Canada soccer and the national team,” said Forge FC coach Bobby Smyrniotis.
There is precedent. The Canadian Soccer League, which operated from 1987 to 1992, proved to be an early home for many future Canadian internationals. CSL veterans include, among many others, Canadian internationals Alex Bunbury, a star with the Hamilton Steelers, Carlo Corazzin, and Jason deVos.
But the CSL also serves as a cautionary tale. It did not prove financially viable and folded, with Montreal and Vancouver opting to join the American Professional Soccer League — which was eventually rebranded as the A-League.
It left a legacy, however. Corazzin, for example, went on to win 59 caps for Canada and play overseas for Cambridge United, Plymouth Argyle, Northampton Town and Oldham Athletic. DeVos, who won 49 caps and captained Canada, played for Darlington, Dundee United, Wigan and Ipswich Town.
Playing at home wasn’t really an option for Toronto FC midfielder Jonathan Osorio growing up. He left home at 17 to pursue his soccer career in Uruguay.
“I’m just glad it’s here, that’s the main thing,” he said of the new league. “I know guys in the locker-room are already talking about it. We want to support it. Some of the guys are trying to pick York or Forge, which team is theirs. It’s nice to have that kind of talk around.”
Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney, who has already loaned potential CPL star Ryan Telfer to York9 FC, will be watching the new league with interest.
“I’m curious, I think like everybody, (about) the quality, the level,” said Vanney “I think it’s going to take time. Even when you look at the early days of the MLS and the ups and downs. I mean, we went from 10 teams to eight teams to almost folding to now thriving. If everyone is (patient) and is realistic, then it will do great things, I think.”
The new league is being realistic in terms of attendance, restricting the seating at CFL venues in Winnipeg and Hamilton. Capacity across the league will range from 5,000 to 10,000.