The Canadian Premier League (CPL) is already discussing expansion having completed its inaugural season, commissioner David Clanachan has revealed.
Speaking to Reuters, Clanachan said that the professional men’s soccer league, which currently has seven teams, has received expressions of interest from 18 communities, with three of those “very close” to joining the competition.
The commissioner added that the league expects to make an expansion announcement before the end of November, but said it is unlikely any new teams will begin play until the 2021 campaign.
Hmm...the Ottawa Fury have just announced they're suspending operations for one season (in the USL). ?
It's currently unclear what their future plans are.
In a lengthy statement from the club, Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group CEO Mark Goudie blamed behind-the-scenes politics for the suspension.
“I feel angry, betrayed and deeply sorry for our fans, players, coaches and staff that their club will not operate in 2020,” Goudie said. “I believe we were purposely run out of time.”
...
“I think it’s apparent that soccer’s hierarchy is trying to force Fury FC out of the USL,” said Goudie. “The governing bodies do not respect the investment that we have made in Canadian soccer, our contribution to the development of soccer in Canada or the value of our USL franchise. The USL has been very supportive and has vigorously lobbied the US Soccer Federation and CONCACAF on our behalf, but match and TV schedules must be set, venues booked, coaches hired, players signed and tickets sold. I believe they intentionally ran us out of time.”
OSEG will now explore further options for the future of the Ottawa Fury FC, which could include relocation to the U.S.
A track and field stadium at York University’s Keele campus that was built for the 2015 Pan-Am Games has undergone an $8.2-million transformation.
Construction to convert York Lions Stadium (YLS) from track to turf will be completed Friday, July 30, with the facility re-opening that evening for a Canadian Premier League soccer game between York United FC and Hamilton Forge FC.
“It’ll be more of a multi-purpose stadium,” said York University head soccer coach Carmine Isacco, noting the facility will house sports such as soccer, football, rugby and field hockey.
Terrence Hawkins, superintendent at Chandos Construction, the general contractor for the project, has been on site since construction began in August 2020. “Every square inch inside the field has been excavated and reworked to (make) this beautiful soccer field,” he said. “We had a few challenges with the snow and the ground freezing, but we overcame every obstacle Mother Nature threw at us.”
The Partnerships Coordinator for York United confirmed on Twitter that this is the team’s new home. I guess “York” now means “Toronto” not “York Region”.