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EXCLUSIVE: The CPL's proposal to Canada Soccer for the 2024 Canadian Championship
BY THIAGO SZWARC PUBLISHED ON JANUARY 29, 2024 (MODIFIED ON JAN 29, 2024)

EXCLUSIVE: The CPL has sent a proposal to Canada Soccer in regards to the 2024 Canadian Championship.

Keep in mind that nothing has been set yet. This is just a proposal which is being reviewed by Canada Soccer

Without furder ado, the proposal:

No draw this year

The idea is to have matchups set without conducting a draw, with most of them planned to reduce travel costs.

These are the matches that the CPL has offered:

NOTE: NO HOME/AWAY TEAMS HAVE BEEN SET YET

- York United vs. Simcoe County Rovers
- Vancouver FC vs. Victoria Highlanders
- Halifax Wanderers vs. CF Montréal
- St-Laurent vs. Toronto FC

We did not get confirmation as to who Atlético Ottawa, Cavalry FC, Pacific FC and Valour FC would face, but if we have to go based on the travel cost reductions, we would assume Ottawa vs. Valour and Cavalry vs. Pacific. But once again, this is just assuming.

Whitecaps and Forge to get a bye to the 2nd round

The idea is to give the Vancouver Whitecaps (2023 Canadian Championship winners) and Forge FC (2023 Canadian Premier League champions) a bye to the 2nd round.

Usually, it would be CF Montréal who would receive a bye (as the 2023 Canadian Championship runner-ups), though it seems like the CPL wants their league champion to get an automatic bye.

May start

The idea is to start the Canadian Championship around early May. This would allow teams like the Halifax Wanderers and Cavalry to be able to host, as those 2 didn't have their grass pitch stadiums ready at the start of last year's Canadian Championship.

2-legged match-ups starting in round 2?

This wasn't confirmed yet, but one of the proposals was to possibly have 2-legged match-ups in the 2nd round. It's unknown on whether this would continue for the later rounds.

MLS teams do not approve of this proposal

The MLS teams didn't approve this proposal. For Montreal, it's expected. It has usually been the runner-up of the past edition who would get a bye along with the champion, but the CPL wants to give the CPL champion a bye instead.

Canada Soccer is reviewing the proposal

Nothing is set yet. Nothing has been signed. Canada Soccer is still reviewing the proposal.

A draw was supposed to be held in February, but if CSA approves this proposal, there won't be one.

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