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
Celtix de Haut-Richelieu – This team was originally announced in 2016. We waited, and waited, and waited. Finally, they’ve re-announced Celtix as joining the PLSQ for 2019.
Who’s Out
Ottawa – Rumours had indicated there was a possibility of the Fury moving to CPL.
Sadly, the truth announced earlier today is far worse. Not only are the Fury not moving to CPL in 2020, they’ve closed up shop.
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.
In regards to the CPL, Pugh congratulates the league & wishes them every success in the future.
FC Gatineau – Stepped down to the Ottawa-Carleton Soccer League, first reported by Just e-Soccer on October 28th. PLSQ confirmed the departure November 7th.
Dynamo de Quebec – It appears negotiations did not end favourably for Dynamo de Quebec, as the PLSQ announced their departure from the league on November 7th. As a result, all of the league’s teams are now in or around Montreal.
Rumoured Expansion
CPL Quebec – Latest rumours indicate a stadium deal has been achieved, with a team in Quebec City set to launch for 2021.
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.
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.
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.
Rumour Stength: Moderate
Saskatoon – Latest rumours indicate Belan is targeting a 2022 launch.
Rumour Strength: Moderate
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
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)
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