Canadian Premier League clubs will now have two opportunities to qualify for the Concacaf Champions League, thanks to today’s news that the CPL will contribute one team to the preliminary stage of the Concacaf League (the other entry point, of course, being the Canadian Championship).

Not to be confused with the Champions League, the Concacaf League has — until now — served as a club championship for Central America and the Caribbean, with current holders Herediano (of Costa Rica) entering the 2019 Champions League by defeating Honduran side Motagua in last year’s final.

The tournament has expanded from 16 to 22 teams, with 12 teams competing in a play-in round to join 10 others in the round of 16. Instead of just one club advancing to the Champions League (as has been the case in both previous editions of the Concacaf League), the top six teams will qualify for the 2020 Champions League, based on their performance in the 2019 Concacaf League tournament (which begins in July).

The CPL team will enter at the preliminary stage and play a home-and-away tie in hope of joining the top nine Central American clubs and the Caribbean Champion in the Concacaf League’s round of 16.

More info here: