Update: January 29, 2020 As per league confirmation, Ottawa has been awarded a Canadian Premier League expansion team set to play beginning in April 2020. Matches will be hosted at TD Place. Learn more here.

Original: November 2019

On Friday we found out the news that Ottawa Fury FC was suspending operations following issues regarding their sanctioning from CONCACAF, and while the news comes as a shock to many, the finality of the decision leaves but only one choice for the future of professional soccer in the capital region, the Canadian Premier League.

For Ottawa soccer supporters, our road to CPL begins now.

It appears that investors for an MLS franchise are nonexistent, and CONCACAF appears to be unwilling to sanction non-MLS Canadian clubs to play outside of the federation. Canadian Premier League commissioner David Clanachan has said many times that he wants to expand and see a CPL team in Ottawa, and has mentioned speaking to potential investors, however as of yet it is not clear who those investors would be.

We have a league.

While OSEG is main operator of the main stadium at Lansdowne Park, its ownership is still with the City of Ottawa, and it is believed that while OSEG does not want to invest in CPL, they will not stand in the way of a team playing there. There has been speculation about a rugby team moving into the stadium as well, from another ownership group, and it remains to be seen how this would impact a potential CPL team. While the stadium remains an option, any CPL team to play there could be second or third in line to use the facilities. The Ottawa Champions baseball team recently closed its doors, leaving an empty baseball stadium, however it’s not know if it can be made into a stadium that meets CPL standards.

We have a stadium

Since news of Ottawa Fury’s demise, the fan base has been working hard to ensure that they stay united in bringing professional soccer back to the capital. Inspired by the likes of FC Edmonton fans that rallied around soccer in their community, and Saskatchewan fans that have travelled the country showing they are ready for a team, Fury fans have created the #Ottawa2CPL hashtag, a Twitter page, and a Facebook group to push for CPL. Both supporters groups, Bytown Boys SC and Stony Monday Riot, seem to be galvanized by idea that banding together might convince potential owners that invest in an Ottawa CPL side, and have plans to continue their activities despite the demise of Fury.

We have the passionate supporters

It almost seems as though it’s just a matter of time until someone steps up and brings to the CPL to Ottawa, however what happens between now and then is important. There is a real passion and love for soccer in Ottawa, and that flame needs to remain lit until CPL arrives, be it 1, 3 or even 5 years from now.

There are various ways one can remain active in the soccer community and help push for a CPL team. Ottawa soccer supporters have always been active in CanMNT and CanWNT scenes, attending most Voyageurs events and national games, and already have plans to add CPL games to their list of events for 2020. There are active Facebook groups dedicated both the Ottawa to CPL campaign, and the Bytown Boys Supporters Group, as well as a Discord channel dedicated to CPL with discussions about possible expansion sides. On twitter you can follow Bytown Boys, Stony Monday Riot, Ottawa2CPL, Ours Was The Fury and myself for all events, campaigns and news relating to Ottawa’s road to CPL.

The road for Ottawa to CPL begins now. Many will march down this road, some from the beginning, while many more will join along the way. We have all seen the benefits a professional soccer club can bring to the city, and understand the importance of it returning.

Let’s go down this road together, united shoulder to shoulder, preparing for #Ottawa2CPL

Photo: Stuart Mactaggart

Like what you read? Become a Patron.

Stuart Mactaggart Stuart has covered Ottawa soccer for six years, most recently covering Atletico Ottawa.

Share with a Friend Facebook

Twitter

Reddit

LinkedIn

WhatsApp

Telegram

Email



Like this: Like Loading...