The Canadian Soccer League system shows the level of soccer in the country from Professional to semi Professional level.
Over the years, the soccer scene in the country has gone through a series of changes in the country. Soccer in Canada was first played in first played 1876 and has gone through many changes.
Is soccer popular in Canada? Soccer in Canada is one of the largest participatory sports and is one of the fastest-growing sports, with the newly created Canadians Premier League already yielding success.
What is the best soccer club in Canada? Toronto FC, Club de Foot Montréal, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and recently Forge FC are the best soccer teams in Canada at the professional level.
Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) is the governing body that oversees the system in the country.
The Major League Soccer, the Canadian Premier League and the United Soccer League are the professionally run soccer leagues in Canada.
There are also many semi-professional and amateur soccer leagues across the country. Canadian teams like Toronto FC, Club de Foot Montréal and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, compete in the Major League Soccer.
Canadian Soccer League system – pyramid explained
Professional Soccer – Men
Canadian Premier League
Level: 1
Teams: 8
Country: Country
The Canadian Premier League, CPL or CanPL, is the primary national soccer league played by professional soccer clubs across Canada. Eight teams from five of Canada’s ten provinces participate in the league.
The CanPL runs from April to October, with the regular season followed by the end of season playoffs to determine the league champion. CPL teams will participate in the CONCACAF Champions League and the CONCACAF League.
Also Read:
- Canadian Premier League vs MLS – difference analysed
- Canadian Premier League players salaries explained
- Canadian Premier League tryouts
Major League Soccer (MLS)
Level: 1
Teams: 27
Country: United States, Canada.
The Major League Soccer or MLS is a men’s professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. The league is divided into Eastern Conference and Western Conference, respectively.
The MLS is contested by 28 teams (twenty five from the US and three from Canada).
Also Read: Canadian teams in the MLS analysed
Semi-professional – Men
League1 Ontario
Level: 3
Teams: 21
Country: Canada
League1 Ontario (L1O) is a semi-professional soccer league contested by 21 teams. Teams from Ontario play the league.
Première Ligue de soccer du Québec
Level: 3
Teams: 10
Country: Canada
Première Ligue de soccer du Québec is a semi-professional soccer league contested by 21 teams from Quebec.
USL League One
Level: 3
Teams: 12
Country: United States, Canada.
USL League One (USL1) is a professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. The company sits on level three of the Canadian soccer league system.
Challenge Trophy
Level: 4
Teams: 12 or more
Country: Canada
Challenge Trophy is a soccer organised competition for provincial/territorial associations.
USL League Two
Level: 4
Teams: 83
Country: United States, Canada, Bermuda
USL League Two (USL2) is a semi-professional developmental soccer league.
Women’s Soccer in Canada – Professional
National Women’s Soccer League
Level: 1
Teams: 10
Country: United States.
Other Women’s Soccer Leagues
- UWS League 1
- Women’s Premier Soccer League
- League1 Ontario
- Première Ligue de Soccer Féminine du Québec
- Jubilee Trophy
Canadian Championship – National
Status: National
Teams: Pro and semi-professional
Country: Canada
Canadian Championship is the national knockout cup competition played by Professional and semi-professional soccer clubs in Canada.
The Canadian Soccer League system or pyramid shows the level of soccer in the country. The current plan shows the CPL and the MLS are the two top-level professional leagues in the country.
