Every year we have another look at who’s in, and who’s out. This year starts off on the wrong foot, with the removal of three clubs from the rosters. Thankfully, we’ve one new club on board in Quebec, and strong rumours about further expansion across various leagues.

Who’s In Hamilton United Elite – A women’s team joined L1O last year, and publicly expressed interest in launching a men’s team the following year, especially as they also had a men’s team in the L1O Reserve league. True to their word, Hamilton United Elite officially will have a Men’s team in League1 Ontario in 2020. North Toronto Nitros – The Nitros were part of L1O from 2016-2017, but dropped out in 2018. The return of the club is definitely welcome, as they performed above the league average at the time (906.655 on the 2017 elo ratings). Who’s Out Citing sanctioning issues, Ottawa Fury have suspended operations indefinitely. Talk includes the potential to relocate the club to the United States. As a result, a resurrection of the club in Canada for 2021, under OSEG, appears unlikely at the moment.

Rumoured Expansion

Selon source proche du dossier, plusieurs points d'achoppement pour l'arrivée d'1 équipe de #CanPL à #Québec. Prix demandé par la #CPL pour 1 franchise jugé excessif. Le président de la fédé de soccer du #QC avait évoqué 9M$ lors d'une entrevue au magazine #QuébecSoccer. Thread — Quentin Parisis (@QParisis) November 24, 2019

CPL Quebec – Latest rumours indicate a stadium deal has been achieved, with a team in Quebec City almost set to launch for 2021. Recent interviews with the President of Quebec Soccer indicate an expansion fee of $9 million may be a stumbling block.

Rumour Strength: Strong

Fraser Valley – Widely considered a lock for 2021, with play to occur at a new field located at the Langley Event Centre. No updates since 8 Nov.

Rumour Strength: Strong

Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge – Rumours have started to indicate this may be one of the three teams that are “very close” to locking down a place in the 2021 expansion. No updates since 8 Nov.

Rumour Strength: Moderate

CPL Laval – Despite surfacing recently on AFC Curtis, Bunbury remains relatively tight lipped on progress in Laval. Expansion date seems to have been pushed toward 2022. As noted above, the expansion fee is seen as an additional road block for teams in Quebec.

Rumour Stength: Moderate

Saskatoon – Latest rumours indicate Belan is targeting a 2022 launch. No updates since 8 Nov.

Rumour Strength: Moderate

Ottawa – Clanachan has repeatedly mentioned that he had been speaking with investors in Ottawa about launching a team. With Fury FC closing up shop, an opening has been created. It appears unlikely at this point that the team would be able to launch prior to 2022. No updates since 8 Nov.

Rumour Strength: Weak

At the beginning of summer, BC provided an update on their plans for L1BC. Those ITK have waffled from unbridled optimism, to talks of delay to 2021 or 2022, and the latest rumour says there’s just 1 thing holding back a 2020 launch: a Voyageur’s Cup spot.

The interested teams want assurances that there will be a V-Cup spot for the league’s champion, and they have to wait on the CSA to say it will be so.

As time continues to pass, and given the speed of CSA decision making, a delay to 2021, 2022, or later seems increasingly likely at this point.

Rumour Strength: Moderate

Challenge Cup Divisions

The BC Leagues (VISL, VMSL, FVSL) are currently in progress for the 2019-2020 season. Many leagues in the Challenge Cup Divisions have promotion & relegation. Promoted/New LSEQ – St-Hubert and CS Fabrose both finished at the top of Men’s B, and should be promoted. Actual promotion has not been confirmed. MMSL – FC Northwest and CCS Sweatshack both finished at the top of Division 1, and should be promoted. Actual promotion has not been confirmed. Relegated/Dissolved LSEQ – FS Salaberry and Brossard both finished at the bottom of Men’s A, and should be relegated. Actual relegation has not been confirmed. MMSL – World Soccer Academy and Forza-WSP both finished bottom of the Premier Division, and should be relegated. Actual relegation has not been confirmed. No Change AMSL – Calgary Villains Elite FC successfully defended Calgary Rangers Sportif FC‘s challenge. For reference, Challenge Cup Divisions include: New Brunswick Premier Soccer League

Nova Scotia Soccer League

Newfoundland & Labrador Challenge Trophy

Ligue de Soccer du Quebec ( Pro/Rel )

) Ontario Open Cup

Manitoba Major Soccer League ( Pro/Rel )

) Saskatchewan Open Cup

Alberta Major Soccer League ( Pro/Rel )

) BC Provincial Cup Fraser Valley Soccer League, Premier Division ( Pro/Rel ?) Vancouver Island Soccer League, Division 1 ( Pro/Rel ) Vancouver Metro Soccer League, Premier Division ( Pro/Rel )



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Shawn Gray Shawn Gray, father of two, has had a varied background, reflecting a life dedicated to learning and exploration. Having spent time living in 7 distinct cities of various sizes and character, Shawn adapts to his location and always aims to make the best of any situation. While in Ottawa, Shawn fell in love with Ottawa Fury FC, which led to him writing soccer-related articles for Northern Starting Eleven. A brief relocation to Victoria, British Columbia, gave him the opportunity to cheer on Victoria Highlanders FC. He stepped in to acquire NSXI in October 2016 and recruited additional authors from across the country to write about the soccer teams they love. Recently, Shawn returned to Greater Sudbury, Ontario. Employed as an Administrative Assistant, he continues to own & edit articles on the NSXI Network while cheering on his favourite teams from afar.

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