A Short Tale of Canada’s Soccer History, from the Beginning to the Rise of the CPL

Soccer has become a common phenomenon in Canada and the world. The Canadian Premier League (CPL) might have been launched in 2019, but soccer and its culture in the streets date back a long way. While the sport was already invented in the 19th century, Canada had to wait until the 1960s to see a real explosion in its popularity.

Now, women, men, and children play everywhere in the streets. Nova Scotia is one of the states that boast street soccer as a common sight, independently of the towns or the economic realities. But how did soccer make a name for itself in a land where ice hockey dominates?

Early History

One of the first questions readers might ask is why soccer surged in popularity during the 1960s. Until then, soccer was mostly played by British expatriates, but the Second World War changed everything.

An influx of immigrants introduced diverse cultural traditions and hobbies from across the world, and with them came soccer. While it took some years for Canada to be considered a soccer nation, by the 1980s, the National Canadian Soccer Team was competing on an international level with powerhouses like the Soviet Union, France, and Germany.

Montréal also hosted the 1976 Olympics, during which Canada had to eventually bow down to other powers – but the global exposure helped popularize the sport.

Women’s Soccer In Canada

In the 1960s, soccer wasn’t just popular among men; women also started playing frequently in the streets. This increasing interest led to the rise of Canadian women in international soccer a decade later.

However, it took until 1991 when the first Women’s Soccer World Cup was held. Unfortunately, Canada failed to qualify for this tournament.

A decade later, Canada’s team started becoming a major firepower in the World Cups, achieving deep runs in the early 2000s. They took fourth place in the 2003 World Cup and reached the quarter-finals at the Beijing Olympics.

However, most Canadian fans will remember the 2012 Olympics in London, where the Canadian team suffered a narrow 4-3 loss against the USA in the semi-finals. Canadian captain Christine Sinclair scored all three goals on Canada’s behalf, which impressed the global audience.

But this defeat was not in vain, as Canada defeated France to pick up the Bronze medal – Canada’s first in the sport at the Olympics. The success continued in the next edition of the Olympics in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where Canada’s team picked up another bronze medal after defeating the hosts.

Canadian Soccer Abroad

As the national teams for both men’s and women’s soccer progressed, the development of club soccer in Canada lagged slightly behind. The Canadian Premier League (CPL) was established in 2019.

However, three Canadian clubs – Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps and Impact de Montréal – have been competing in the Major League Soccer (MLS), the highest professional soccer league in the United States, and continue to do so.

Despite the lack of club successes for the Canadian teams, many individuals have sought and found opportunities abroad, often ending up in the English Premier League, like Jim Brennan (Notts Forest), Jason de Vos (Wigan Athletic, Ipswich Town), and Paul Peschisolido (Birmingham City, Fulham). On the women’s side, Christine Sinclair is, without a doubt, the most iconic Canadian player, but Martina Franko and Andrea Neil also deserve recognition.

The Creation of the CPL And Its Success

The CPL is now considered a major achievement of the country. The Canadian Soccer Business (CSB) played a major role in financing and sponsoring the league, which is usually the toughest part for most new competitions.

Since its inception in 2019, the CPL has secured significant TV exposure abroad, a challenging feat, especially when competing with the neighbouring MLS.

Mediapro, a leading Spanish sports broadcast company, was among the companies that showed interest in the CPL. The two parties signed a ten-year contract, which has provided financial stability for the league.

However, the marketing success did not stop with Mediapro. Soon enough, American giant Fox Sports showed interest and became the official broadcasting partner of the CPL. With Fox Sports’ extensive network spanning from India to Asia, through Africa and Europe, the CPL gained a global broadcast platform and boosted its international profile.

Although the CPL has attracted numerous international players since 2019, the league continues to be a major platform for Canadian talent. Players like Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) and Jonathan David (Lille) are prime examples of a generation with undeniable talent. These role models inspire many young Canadians to pursue careers in soccer while also promoting the CPL.

Although Pacific FC won the CPL title in 2021, the most successful team has been Forge FC, with four titles to their name. The Hammers are the reigning champions after beating Cavalry in the playoff final last year.

The Road of Men’s Soccer National Team

On the international stage, Canada’s men’s soccer team is not quite there yet. However, there are signs of improvement and potential for future success.

Canada faced a tough group in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, but the team showed the world it is on its way. Canada’s qualification alone was a landmark achievement – Les Rouges had not qualified since 1986 – and if the Canadians do things right, their next qualification will not require another four decades.

Until now, international media has not picked up on the progress of Canadian soccer. However, this is only the beginning of a prolonged and passionate journey. Both internationally and domestically, Canadian soccer has demonstrated its ability to market itself and advance – a source of pride for the country.

With a talented pool of young players, observers are eager to see how Canada will develop as a soccer nation – a status it did not hold in the past.