Canadian soccer pyramid
Encyclopedia
The Canadian soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer
to describe the structure of the league system in Canada
. The governing body of soccer in the country is the Canadian Soccer Association
(CSA), which oversees the system and domestic cups (including the Canadian Championship
) but does not operate any of its component leagues. For practical purposes Canadian teams are often members of leagues that are based primarily in the United States
.
coincides with the league competitions of the neighbouring United States
, which means that promotion and relegation
does not occur between any league levels. Formally, Canada does not have a fully professional national league. The top professional clubs in Canada compete in the Canadian Championship
for the Voyageurs Cup
, which is the country's national championship trophy and which earn the winner the rights to play in the CONCACAF Champions League
.
Since the introduction of Major League Soccer
(MLS) in the US, the popularity of the United Soccer Leagues
(USL), where most of the Canadian clubs competed, declined. With the decision to introduce Canadian clubs to MLS, with Toronto FC
joining in 2006, the Toronto Lynx
began playing in the amateur-level USL Premier Development League
(PDL). Two other Canadian clubs have or are scheduled to join MLS: Vancouver Whitecaps FC joined in 2011 and the Montreal Impact are slated to join in 2012.
Changes to and the evolution of the leagues based in the United States, particularly the decline of the USL second and third tier leagues has allowed the Canadian Soccer League (CSL)
to establish itself as a semi-professional league in Canada, considering regional expansion to become the largest national domestic league.
which is governed by the Canadian Soccer Association
. The league is mostly centred in Ontario
, with two teams in Quebec
. Clubs in British Columbia
mostly compete in the Pacific Coast Soccer League
, which is primarily governed by the USASA, while several other West coast clubs compete in the PDL. In total there are 12 soccer associations in Canada with most of the competitions organized on an amateur and/or a youth level.
Nutrilite Canadian Championship (Voyageurs Cup
): Levels 1-2 (Eligible teams selected by the CSA)
Amateur
The Challenge Trophy (Men): Level 5
The Jubilee Trophy (Women): Level 4
and the United States
use a similar pyramid structure, with Major League Soccer
(MLS) as Division 1 and the North American Soccer League
(NASL) as Division 2. Canada's four elite clubs (Toronto FC
, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Montreal Impact
& FC Edmonton
) compete at these two levels, with a fifth club, Ottawa
, set to join the NASL in 2013.
In February 2010, the Canadian Soccer League
was granted full membership by the Canadian Soccer Association
, making it the largest entirely domestic national league. Sitting behind MLS and the NASL, the CSL operates as Division 3 within the Canadian pyramid.
The Nutrilite Canadian Championship competition, established in 2008, awards the national trophy, the Voyageurs Cup
, and determines the Canadian representative at the CONCACAF Champions League
, the region's largest club tournament. Currently, the Association has limited the Nutrilite Canadian Championship to the country's four elite clubs at the D1 & D2 levels.
league and the amateur USL Premier Development League
, along with the women's W-League
.
Several Canadian teams competed in the USL First Division
(USL-1), formerly the highest level in the USL. After Nike
sold its stake in the USL organization in late 2009, a group of disgruntled USL-1 team owners decided in January 2010 to form a new version of the North American Soccer League (NASL)
, with the remaining USL-1 Canadian clubs deciding to join. Concurrently, USL opposed its relegation to Division 3 status and challenged the legality of NASL. The dispute prompted the United States Soccer Federation
(USSF) to refuse sanctioning of either league for the 2010 season. The USSF brokered a deal between the two feuding leagues that called for a temporary reorganization of the second tier of soccer in both Canada and the United States, choosing to operate its own league, the USSF D2 Pro League. The league was divided into two conferences, the USL and NASL Conferences, largely reflecting the loyalty of the clubs caught up in the feud.
In the autumn of 2010, the fallout from the failed Division 2 sanctioning attempts by the USL and the NASL and the competition for the loyalty of the professional clubs led to USL's decision to merge its First and Second Division
leagues into a consolidated USL Pro
league. The USL has stated its intention for USL Pro to operate as a top league in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean.
Canadian teams have yet to be included or have offered a commitment to USL Pro expansion, with Canada's remaining top professional clubs outside MLS, Montreal Impact
& FC Edmonton
, maintaining their commitment to the NASL. There are a number of Canadian teams that continue to play in the USL PDL.
In order to limit the Americanization of all of Canada's professional soccer clubs, the CSA issued a moratorium on the sanctioning of any new Division 2 or PDL teams on November 15, 2010, with the ban set to last until September 30, 2011. Despite the moratorium, the NASL announced that Ottawa
had been awarded a franchise on June 20, 2011, tentatively to begin play in the league in 2013.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
to describe the structure of the league system in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The governing body of soccer in the country is the Canadian Soccer Association
Canadian Soccer Association
The Canadian Soccer Association is the governing body of soccer in Canada. It is a national organization that oversees the Canadian men's and women's national teams for international play, as well as the respective junior sides...
(CSA), which oversees the system and domestic cups (including the Canadian Championship
Canadian Championship
The Canadian Championship—known as the Nutrilite Canadian Championship for sponsorship reasons—is an annual soccer tournament contested by premier Canadian professional teams...
) but does not operate any of its component leagues. For practical purposes Canadian teams are often members of leagues that are based primarily in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Structure
The professional league structure in CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
coincides with the league competitions of the neighbouring United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, which means that promotion and relegation
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
does not occur between any league levels. Formally, Canada does not have a fully professional national league. The top professional clubs in Canada compete in the Canadian Championship
Canadian Championship
The Canadian Championship—known as the Nutrilite Canadian Championship for sponsorship reasons—is an annual soccer tournament contested by premier Canadian professional teams...
for the Voyageurs Cup
Voyageurs Cup
The Voyageurs Cup is the only trophy for top-level professional soccer in Canada. From 2002 to 2007, the cup was awarded annually to the Canadian team finishing with the best record in the USL First Division, from regular season matches against other Canadian teams in the league, and from 2008 the...
, which is the country's national championship trophy and which earn the winner the rights to play in the CONCACAF Champions League
CONCACAF Champions League
The CONCACAF Champions League is the annual international club football championship for teams from the CONCACAF region ....
.
Since the introduction of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
(MLS) in the US, the popularity of the United Soccer Leagues
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
(USL), where most of the Canadian clubs competed, declined. With the decision to introduce Canadian clubs to MLS, with Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
joining in 2006, the Toronto Lynx
Toronto Lynx
Toronto Lynx is a Canadian soccer team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference....
began playing in the amateur-level USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
(PDL). Two other Canadian clubs have or are scheduled to join MLS: Vancouver Whitecaps FC joined in 2011 and the Montreal Impact are slated to join in 2012.
Changes to and the evolution of the leagues based in the United States, particularly the decline of the USL second and third tier leagues has allowed the Canadian Soccer League (CSL)
Canadian Soccer League
The Canadian Soccer League is the top soccer league in Canada and is controlled by the Canadian Soccer Association. It was formerly known as the Canadian Professional Soccer League , and was officially re-branded on May 17, 2006...
to establish itself as a semi-professional league in Canada, considering regional expansion to become the largest national domestic league.
Regions
The soccer competitions in Canada are mostly regionally-based. The only Canadian-based professional league is the Canadian Soccer LeagueCanadian Soccer League
The Canadian Soccer League is the top soccer league in Canada and is controlled by the Canadian Soccer Association. It was formerly known as the Canadian Professional Soccer League , and was officially re-branded on May 17, 2006...
which is governed by the Canadian Soccer Association
Canadian Soccer Association
The Canadian Soccer Association is the governing body of soccer in Canada. It is a national organization that oversees the Canadian men's and women's national teams for international play, as well as the respective junior sides...
. The league is mostly centred in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, with two teams in Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. Clubs in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
mostly compete in the Pacific Coast Soccer League
Pacific Coast Soccer League
The Pacific Coast Soccer League is a soccer league featuring teams from British Columbia, although the league has also featured teams from Washington in the past as well...
, which is primarily governed by the USASA, while several other West coast clubs compete in the PDL. In total there are 12 soccer associations in Canada with most of the competitions organized on an amateur and/or a youth level.
Cup eligibility
ProfessionalNutrilite Canadian Championship (Voyageurs Cup
Voyageurs Cup
The Voyageurs Cup is the only trophy for top-level professional soccer in Canada. From 2002 to 2007, the cup was awarded annually to the Canadian team finishing with the best record in the USL First Division, from regular season matches against other Canadian teams in the league, and from 2008 the...
): Levels 1-2 (Eligible teams selected by the CSA)
Amateur
The Challenge Trophy (Men): Level 5
The Jubilee Trophy (Women): Level 4
Men
For practical purposes, both CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
use a similar pyramid structure, with Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
(MLS) as Division 1 and the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
(NASL) as Division 2. Canada's four elite clubs (Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1992, the team played in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until the 2011 season. The owner Joey Saputo now operates the MLS team Montreal ImpactThe...
& FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton is a Canadian professional soccer team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
) compete at these two levels, with a fifth club, Ottawa
Ottawa NASL team
The Ottawa NASL team is a Canadian professional soccer team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2011, the team is expected to make its debut in the North American Soccer League in 2013....
, set to join the NASL in 2013.
In February 2010, the Canadian Soccer League
Canadian Soccer League
The Canadian Soccer League is the top soccer league in Canada and is controlled by the Canadian Soccer Association. It was formerly known as the Canadian Professional Soccer League , and was officially re-branded on May 17, 2006...
was granted full membership by the Canadian Soccer Association
Canadian Soccer Association
The Canadian Soccer Association is the governing body of soccer in Canada. It is a national organization that oversees the Canadian men's and women's national teams for international play, as well as the respective junior sides...
, making it the largest entirely domestic national league. Sitting behind MLS and the NASL, the CSL operates as Division 3 within the Canadian pyramid.
The Nutrilite Canadian Championship competition, established in 2008, awards the national trophy, the Voyageurs Cup
Voyageurs Cup
The Voyageurs Cup is the only trophy for top-level professional soccer in Canada. From 2002 to 2007, the cup was awarded annually to the Canadian team finishing with the best record in the USL First Division, from regular season matches against other Canadian teams in the league, and from 2008 the...
, and determines the Canadian representative at the CONCACAF Champions League
CONCACAF Champions League
The CONCACAF Champions League is the annual international club football championship for teams from the CONCACAF region ....
, the region's largest club tournament. Currently, the Association has limited the Nutrilite Canadian Championship to the country's four elite clubs at the D1 & D2 levels.
United Soccer Leagues (USL)
The USL manages several leagues, including the USL ProUSL Pro
The USL Professional Division, commonly known as USL Pro , is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011....
league and the amateur USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
, along with the women's W-League
W-League
The USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer....
.
Several Canadian teams competed in the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
(USL-1), formerly the highest level in the USL. After Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
sold its stake in the USL organization in late 2009, a group of disgruntled USL-1 team owners decided in January 2010 to form a new version of the North American Soccer League (NASL)
North American Soccer League (2010)
The North American Soccer League is a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico which began league play on April 9, 2011. It has been provisionally sanctioned as the second tier of soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, behind Major League Soccer in the...
, with the remaining USL-1 Canadian clubs deciding to join. Concurrently, USL opposed its relegation to Division 3 status and challenged the legality of NASL. The dispute prompted the United States Soccer Federation
United States Soccer Federation
The United States Soccer Federation is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a member of FIFA and is responsible for governing amateur and professional soccer, including the men's, women's, youth, futsal...
(USSF) to refuse sanctioning of either league for the 2010 season. The USSF brokered a deal between the two feuding leagues that called for a temporary reorganization of the second tier of soccer in both Canada and the United States, choosing to operate its own league, the USSF D2 Pro League. The league was divided into two conferences, the USL and NASL Conferences, largely reflecting the loyalty of the clubs caught up in the feud.
In the autumn of 2010, the fallout from the failed Division 2 sanctioning attempts by the USL and the NASL and the competition for the loyalty of the professional clubs led to USL's decision to merge its First and Second Division
USL Second Division
The United Soccer Leagues Second Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, part of the United Soccer Leagues league pyramid...
leagues into a consolidated USL Pro
USL Pro
The USL Professional Division, commonly known as USL Pro , is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011....
league. The USL has stated its intention for USL Pro to operate as a top league in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean.
Canadian teams have yet to be included or have offered a commitment to USL Pro expansion, with Canada's remaining top professional clubs outside MLS, Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1992, the team played in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until the 2011 season. The owner Joey Saputo now operates the MLS team Montreal ImpactThe...
& FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton is a Canadian professional soccer team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
, maintaining their commitment to the NASL. There are a number of Canadian teams that continue to play in the USL PDL.
In order to limit the Americanization of all of Canada's professional soccer clubs, the CSA issued a moratorium on the sanctioning of any new Division 2 or PDL teams on November 15, 2010, with the ban set to last until September 30, 2011. Despite the moratorium, the NASL announced that Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
had been awarded a franchise on June 20, 2011, tentatively to begin play in the league in 2013.
Pyramid breakdown
Level |
League(s)/Division(s) |
||
1 |
Major League Soccer Major League Soccer Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada... (MLS) 19 clubs (divided into two conferences), including three in Canada Montreal Impact Montreal Impact Montreal Impact was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1992, the team played in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until the 2011 season. The owner Joey Saputo now operates the MLS team Montreal ImpactThe... Toronto FC Toronto FC Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada.... Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
||
2 |
North American Soccer League (NASL) Eight clubs (10 with expansion), including two in Canada FC Edmonton FC Edmonton FC Edmonton is a Canadian professional soccer team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.... Ottawa Ottawa NASL team The Ottawa NASL team is a Canadian professional soccer team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2011, the team is expected to make its debut in the North American Soccer League in 2013.... (expansion team) |
||
3 |
Canadian Soccer League Canadian Soccer League The Canadian Soccer League is the top soccer league in Canada and is controlled by the Canadian Soccer Association. It was formerly known as the Canadian Professional Soccer League , and was officially re-branded on May 17, 2006... (CSL) 14 clubs (plus 14 Reserve/Second Division teams) Brampton City United FC Brantford Galaxy SC Capital City F.C. Capital City F.C. Capital City F.C. is a Canadian soccer team based in Ottawa, Ontario, which joined the Canadian Soccer League, the third tier of the Canadian soccer pyramid, in March 2011... London City London City (soccer club) London City is a Canadian soccer team founded in 1973. The team is currently a member of the Canadian Soccer League. The team plays home games out of Cove Road Stadium in the city of London, Ontario... Mississauga Eagles FC Mississauga Eagles FC Mississauga Eagles FC are a Canadian professional soccer team founded in 2010 to begin play in the Canadian Soccer League, the third tier of soccer in Canada, in 2011... Montreal Impact Academy Montreal Impact Academy Montreal Impact Academy is a Canadian professional soccer team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 2010, they are the only Quebec based team currently playing in the Canadian Soccer League... North York Astros North York Astros -Current squad:as of November 1, 2011 CAPTAIN-Staff:General Manager*Bruno IerulloAwards:Director of Soccer*Jorge Collazo-Reserve squad:... SC Toronto St. Catharines Wolves St. Catharines Wolves St. Catharines Wolves, also known as St. Catharines Roma Wolves or simply Roma Wolves, are a Canadian soccer team, founded in 1977. The team is a member of the Canadian Soccer League.- History :... Serbian White Eagles Serbian White Eagles Serbian White Eagles Football Club is a Canadian soccer team. The team is a member of the Canadian Soccer League.... TFC Academy TFC Academy TFC Academy are the youth academy of Canadian MLS club Toronto FC which was founded in 2008. The academy competes in the Canadian Soccer League, the highest professional soccer league operating entirely within Canada... Toronto Croatia Toronto Croatia C.N.S.C. Toronto Croatia is a Canadian soccer team, founded in 1956. The team is a member of the Canadian Soccer League, the highest level soccer league in Canada, and play in the International Division.... Windsor Stars Windsor Stars Windsor Stars are a professional Canadian soccer team based in Windsor, Ontario. The club plays in the Canadian Soccer League , the third tier of soccer in the Canadian soccer pyramid and the largest domestic pro league in Canada... York Region Shooters York Region Shooters The York Region Shooters were a soccer team playing in the Canadian Professional Soccer League from 1998-2002. They played their home matches in the town of Aurora, Ontario, north of Toronto.... Reserve Division (11 'B' teams from above plus 3 unique clubs): Kitchener Waterloo United FCNiagara United Niagara United Niagara United is a Canadian professional soccer team founded in 2010, playing in the Canadian Soccer League , the third tier of soccer in Canada, in 2011... Prospect FC |
||
4 |
Pacific Coast Soccer League Pacific Coast Soccer League The Pacific Coast Soccer League is a soccer league featuring teams from British Columbia, although the league has also featured teams from Washington in the past as well... (PCSL) 7 clubs total Athletic Club of BC Athletic Club of BC Athletic Club of BC is a Canadian soccer team based in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.-History:The club was founded in 2009, the team played in the Pacific Coast Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, which features teams from western Canada... Kamloops Excel Kamloops Excel Kamloops Excel is a Canadian soccer team based in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 2007, the team plays in Pacific Coast Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, which features teams from western Canada and the Pacific Northwest... Khalsa Sporting Club Khalsa Sporting Club Khalsa Sporting Club is a Canadian soccer team based in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 1995, the team plays in Pacific Coast Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, which features teams from western Canada and the Pacific... Okanagan Challenge Okanagan Challenge Okanagan Challenge is a Canadian soccer team based in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 1995, the team plays in Pacific Coast Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, which features teams from western Canada and the Pacific Northwest... Vancouver Thunderbirds Vancouver Thunderbirds Vancouver Thunderbirds is a Canadian soccer team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 2005, the team plays in Pacific Coast Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, which features teams from western Canada and the Northwestern... Victoria United Victoria United Victoria United is a Canadian soccer team based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 1904, the team plays in Pacific Coast Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, which features teams from western Canada and the Pacific Northwest... Whitecaps FC Prospects Whitecaps FC Prospects Whitecaps FC Prospects is a Canadian soccer team based in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 2008, the team plays in Pacific Coast Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, which features teams from western Canada and the Pacific... |
United Soccer Leagues United Soccer Leagues The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and... Premier Development League USL Premier Development League The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid... (PDL) 65 clubs total (in 4 conferences), including nine in Canada Abbotsford Mariners Forest City London Forest City London Forest City London is a Canadian soccer team based in London, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2008, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.... Ottawa Fury Ottawa Fury Ottawa Fury is a Canadian soccer team based in Ottawa, Ontario. Founded in 2005, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.... Thunder Bay Chill Thunder Bay Chill Thunder Bay Chill is a Canadian soccer team based in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2000, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American and Canadian soccer pyramids, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games... Toronto Lynx Toronto Lynx Toronto Lynx is a Canadian soccer team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.... Vancouver Whitecaps Residency Vancouver Whitecaps Residency Vancouver Whitecaps Residency, formerly known as Whitecaps FC Reserves, is a Canadian soccer team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Although founded in 2005 as part of the development system for the Vancouver Whitecaps USL First Division franchise, beginning in 2011 they are part of the... Victoria Highlanders Victoria Highlanders Victoria Highlanders is a Canadian soccer team based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 2007, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games in... WSA Winnipeg WSA Winnipeg WSA Winnipeg is a Canadian soccer team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the Canadian Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.... Hamilton Rage Hamilton Rage Hamilton FC Rage is a Canadian soccer team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.... |
|
5 |
The Challenge Trophy Canadian National Challenge Cup The Challenge Trophy is a national amateur football cup in Canada contested by the champions of individual provincial soccer competitions. It is one of the oldest football competitions in Canada, being held since 1913... 12 Provincial/Territorial associations Alberta Soccer Association Alberta Soccer Association The Alberta Soccer Association is the governing body for soccer in the Canadian province of Alberta. The association was formed in 1911 as the Alberta Football Association. It is known to most members and in most situations simply as "ASA."... British Columbia Soccer Association British Columbia Soccer Association The British Columbia Soccer Association is the governing body of adult and youth soccer in British Columbia, Canada. They are the head association for all FIFA affiliated soccer associations in BC. BCSA is located in Vancouver, British Columbia's largest city.- BCSA Member Clubs :- 2009 Board of... Manitoba Soccer Association Manitoba Soccer Association The Manitoba Soccer Association is the governing body for soccer in the Canadian province of Manitoba. The association was formed March 19, 1896 in Brandon.Annual Meetings and Presidents.... Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association The Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association is the governing body for soccer in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is a member association of the Canadian Soccer Association.-External links:*... Northwest Territories Soccer Association Ontario Soccer Association Ontario Soccer Association The Ontario Soccer Association was founded in 1901 and is one of the oldest and largest sport organizations in Canada dedicated to providing an opportunity for Ontarians to achieve their sporting goals through soccer. The OSA provides leadership, consultation and resources to the members within... Prince Edward Island Soccer Association Quebec Soccer Federation Saskatchewan Soccer Association Saskatchewan Soccer Association Saskatchewan Soccer Association is the governing body for soccer in the Canadian Province of Saskatchewan. The association was formed in 1905.... Soccer New Brunswick Soccer Nova Scotia Soccer Nova Scotia Soccer Nova Scotia is the governing body for soccer in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. It is a member association of the Canadian Soccer Association... Yukon Soccer Association |
||
Pyramid breakdown
Level |
Leagues or Divisions |
||
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Women's Professional Soccer Women's Professional Soccer Women's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion... (WPS) None |
||
2 |
W-League W-League The USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer.... (W-L) Great Lakes Division Hamilton FC Rage Hamilton Avalanche Hamilton FC Rage is a Canadian women’s soccer team, founded in 2006. The team is a member of the W-League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada... (2006-) Laval Comets Laval Comets The Laval Comets is a Canadian women’s soccer team established in 2006 in the city of Laval, Quebec, a northern suburb of Montreal. The team is a member of the W-League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada... (2006-) London Gryphons (2004-) Ottawa Fury Women Ottawa Fury Women Ottawa Fury Women is a Canadian women’s soccer team, founded in 2003. The team is a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada... (2000-) Quebec City Amiral SC (2009-) Toronto Lady Lynx Toronto Lady Lynx Toronto Lady Lynx is a Canadian women’s soccer team, founded in 2005. The team is a member of the W-League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada... (2005-) Western Conference Vancouver Whitecaps Women (2001-) Victoria Highlanders Women Victoria Highlanders Women Victoria Highlanders Women is a Canadian women's soccer team founded in 2010. The women Highlanders join the USL W-League in 2011 , the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada... (2010-) |
||
3 |
Pacific Coast Soccer League Pacific Coast Soccer League The Pacific Coast Soccer League is a soccer league featuring teams from British Columbia, although the league has also featured teams from Washington in the past as well... Chilliwack FC Coquitlam Metro-Ford SC Fraser Valley Action Fraser Valley Action Fraser Valley Action is a Canadian soccer team based in Langley, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 1993, the team plays in Pacific Coast Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, which features teams from western Canada and the Pacific Northwest... Norvan/NSGSC Eagles Okanagan Whitecaps Semiahmoo SC Surrey United Firefighters Vancouver Whitecaps Prospects |
||
4 |
The Jubilee Trophy |
||
See also
- English football league systemEnglish football league systemThe English football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for association football clubs in England, with six teams from Wales also competing...
- List of soccer clubs in Canada
- United States soccer pyramid