Football or Soccer clubs in Canada are constantly looking for new players to help their team’s overall performance. As a result, clubs organise a series of football activities to attract players.

Some of the means clubs looking for players use include open tryouts, invitations, recommendations by affiliate clubs.

For soccer clubs looking for players in Canada, some of the ways they utilise include Open tryouts, CPL–U Sports Draft, Apply directly, Agent and soccer scouts, etc.

The soccer scene in Canada is constantly growing even as the newly created Canadian Premier League aims to become the number one hub for players capable of filling the spaces in the national teams.

Soccer clubs in Canada looking for players

1. Forge FC

Forge FC is the most successful team in the history of the newly created Canadian Premier League with two titles.

Forge FC is currently looking at the possibility of extending its dominance in the soccer scene in Canada and have constantly worked out ways to select the best players for its first team.

The club is one of the few teams in the CanPL that have improved its game since the league was established.

The league organisers, with support from clubs, organised the CanPL tryouts to search and scout for players willing to play at the highest level of soccer in the country.

You can contact Forge FC player development and scouting unit indicating interest.

Contact: https://forgefc.canpl.ca/contact/

Home ground: Tim Hortons Field.

2. Atlético Ottawa

Atlético Ottawa is one of the teams in the CanPL. Linked with Atlético Madrid in the Spanish La Liga, the Ottawa based soccer club is looking at dominating the soccer scene in the country. To achieve this, the club is constantly scouting for young talented players across Canada interested in taking up their careers to the next level.

Atlético Madrid in the La Liga has won major trophies, including the La Liga, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, etc.

The establishment of Atlético Ottawa is to win trophies, just as the club has been able to achieve in Spain. The club finished 7th in its CanPL debut season.

Contact: https://atleticoottawa.canpl.ca/contact/

Home ground: TD Place Stadium

3. Toronto FC

Toronto FC is regarded as the most successful Canadian soccer team in the modern era. The club competes in Major League Soccer in the United States.

Toronto FC has won the MLS Cup, Supporters Shield, Canadian Championship, etc. In a bid to expand the MLS to Canada, Toronto FC became the new home of the United States Major League Soccer during early expansion.

Toronto FC II, which competes in the USL League One, is the professional development team of Toronto FC current looking for players in Canada and across the world.

Alternatively, you could become a part of the club through its Academy or affiliate clubs across the Toronto city area and beyond.

Toronto FC contact: Toronto FC Academy contact

Home ground: BMO Field

4. Club de Foot Montréal

Club de Foot Montréal is one of the most successful teams in the country with a record Canadian Championship titles beginning from the Voyageurs Cup era.

Club de Foot Montréal, formerly Montreal Impact, is constantly scouting for young players from Canada to fill its Academy and reserve teams.

The competition in Major League Soccer is increasingly growing, and the need to equip the youth teams is also at its peak.

Club de Foot Montréal has its own player development academy saddled with the responsible for developing young players for the leading team.

Contact: https://en.cfmontreal.com/academy/

Home ground: Saputo Stadium Montreal, Quebec.

5. Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Vancouver Whitecaps FC competes in Major League Soccer. Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy is available for players interested in taking their careers to the next level.

Contact: Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy

Home ground: BC Place, Vancouver.

6. FC Edmonton

FC Edmonton is a professional soccer club based in Edmonton, Alberta. The club competes in the CanPL and previously competed in North American Soccer League.

Founded in 2010, FC Edmonton is a big side in the CanPL currently aiming big in the league dominated by Forge FC in its first two seasons.

FC Edmonton is also looking for football players across Canada interested in taking up their careers to a professional level.

Contact: https://fcedmonton.canpl.ca/contact/

Home ground: Clarke Stadium; Edmonton, Alberta

7. Cavalry FC

Cavalry Football Club is a professional soccer club based in Alberta. It competes in the CanPL ranked as one of the highest performing teams in the division.

Calvary Football Club reached the CanPL finals in 2019 but lost to Forge FC.

The club has achieved two Canadian Premier League Regular seasons, Spring 2019 Fall 2019 shields.

Calvary FC is looking for talented players across Canada.

Contact: https://cavalryfc.canpl.ca/contact

Home ground: ATCO Field; Foothills County, Alberta

8. Pacific FC

Pacific Football Club is a professional soccer club based in British Columbia.  Pacific FC is constantly growing, having the intent of challenging the title.

Although the club is yet to win a major trophy, the club is constantly creating a formidable team for the competitive CanPL.

Pacific FC is also looking for young players willing to play soccer.

Contact: https://pacificfc.canpl.ca/contact

Home ground: Starlight Stadium; Langford, British Columbia

9. HFX Wanderers FC

HFX Wanderers Football Club is a professional soccer club based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The club competes in the CanPL.

HFX Wanderers reached the CanPL finals in 2020 but lost to Forge FC.

Contact: https://hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca/contact

Home ground: Wanderers Grounds; Halifax, Nova Scotia

10. York United FC

York United Football Club is a professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario. York United FC competes in the Canadian Premier League.

Contact: https://yorkunitedfc.canpl.ca/

Home ground: York Lions Stadium; Toronto, Ontario

11. Valour FC

Valour Football Club is a professional soccer club based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It competes in the Canadian Premier League. Valour FC is one of the sides in the league challenging for the title.

Contact: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/contact/

Home ground: IG Field, Winnipeg

Other teams at the semi-professional level

Alliance United FC, Hamilton United, FC London, Master’s Futbol, Waterloo United, A.S. Blainville, CS Mont-Royal Outremont, Ottawa South United, FC Laval.

Other recommended ways to join football (soccer) clubs in Canada

1. Open tryouts

You could join soccer clubs in Canada through Open tryouts across the country. There are open tryouts you could sign up for across the country.

Open tryouts could be paid or free. However,  you should opt for paid open tryouts where you pay to play in front of top scouts and representatives from top clubs.

Open tryouts allow you to showcase your abilities as a soccer player in front of scouts, local teams affiliated with top clubs as well as representatives from top clubs across the country.

Also Read: CanPL tryouts, how to go about it

2. CPL–U Sports Draft

The CPL–U Sports Draft is a soccer development event created to help young players in colleges or universities accelerate their careers. It is an annual soccer development activity in which CanPL clubs select players from U Sports.

Drafted players at the end of the event would be invited to the CPL team’s preseason camp, where they could sign their first professional contract.

3. Agent and Soccer Scouts

There are agents across Canada affiliated with clubs in the country, including teams in the CanPL, MLS, USL Championship, etc. If you can sign a contract with an agent, there’s an assurance for you when it comes to clubs reaching out for you.

However, the downsides of football agents are expensive or high demands which could be challenging to keep. But you are better off with an established agent. Also, note that you should strike a deal with an experienced or well-known football agent to avoid issues.

4. Affiliate Clubs

There are affiliated football clubs for top teams in the CanPL, including Canadian teams like Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and Club de Foot Montréal.

You can research affiliate clubs in the country linked with some of the top clubs.

5. Approach clubs directly

You could still contact clubs directly by visiting teams during training hours. You can establish communication or contact team trainers and handlers to discuss your intentions to join the team.

Youth Soccer Development in Canada

Over the years, the country’s soccer governing body has worked out ways to ensure youth soccer development becomes a priority.

Also Read: CanPL players salaries explained

There are plans already in place to develop a master plan that would help grow youth and women’s soccer in the country.

Canada’s national team’s performance at the international level is expected to grow with continent support for youth soccer development in the country.

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in Canada and one of the fastest-growing countries. The growing rate of the league has pushed Professional teams across the country to look inward for young talents across the country.