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 our first club from the rosters.
Who’s In
None Confirmed
Who’s Out
FC Gatineau – Stepped down to the Ottawa-Carleton Soccer League, first reported by Just e-Soccer on October 28th.
Rumoured Expansion
Ottawa – Rumours indicated Ottawa wanted in, at the same price as the original founders. According to some, however, Ottawa has already committed to the USL-C for 2020. Given Ottawa’s pre-built condition, they are the only potential expansion that wouldn’t need to participate in the U-Sports Draft on November 11th.
Rumour Strength: Weak
Other Teams – On Finals 2019 Media Day, Clanachan stated 3 groups were “very close,” but not likely in time for 2020. More recently, with the announcement of the USports Draft on November 11th, they explicitly stated 7 teams would participate. Unless a pre-existing team is opting out (doubtful), this should throw cold water on the addition of other sides until 2021.
See last week’s run down for status of other CPL expansion rumours.
Barrie – During his interview with Forge’s Board, Dino Rossi, the L1O Commisioner, indicated a potential expansion to the Huronia region would be necessary prior to any expansion into Northeastern Ontario. By the discussion, it sounded like the expansion was imminent, however, nothing was explicitly confirmed.
Rumour Strength: Moderate
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.
Given the speed of CSA decision making, I would not be surprised if the league ends of being delayed to 2021 or 2022 (or even later) before they make any decision, but they could always surprise us!
Rumour Strength: Moderate
On the Ropes
Dynamo de Quebec – Reported on October 28th by Just e-Soccer to be “in negotiations,” with possibility of not returning for 2020.
Rumour Strength: High
Various Teams: Recent rumours suggest certain board members are pushing for L1O teams to be self-sufficient, and not be allowed to pay for the team using youth registration. If this change were to happen, the rumour suggests a number of L1O teams that currently sit at the top of their youth academy would close shop.
This would be a very disastrous move, if true, and would result in both a contraction for 2020, and a major decrease in growth for the league.
Given the commissioner’s stated vision of having a team in each major centre, we’re not putting too much stock in this particular rumour at this time.
Rumour Strength: Weak
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)