Canadian Premier League 2021

To keep fans entertained before kickoff, some Canadian online casinos have special deals lined up, for those punters looking to get some extra pocket. And, of course, we’ve got the low down of what this season is set to look like with transfers, COVID-19 and further team restrictions all playing their part. Here’s looking forward to another great year for Canadian soccer as we countdown to May 22.

The Competition Thus Far

Interruptions aside, the first two seasons of the CPL have certainly shaped up to an exciting future ahead. Plenty of young, local talent has been uncovered, the competition has already seen expansion and television viewership has been met to secure some generous advertising contracts.

But it’s been early days and starting a new competition like this is always going to begin slow, especially in a country so heavily dominated by hockey and other sports. But the beautiful game has seen rapid growth around the globe, especially at junior levels over the years, soccer appealing more and more as higher contact sports become less popular.

And as for Forge FC, just how dominate they were predicted to be has been fantastic for the circuit. Bobby Smyrniotis has proven he is not just one of the best in the country, but will no doubt be on others lists for international recruitment. Their Concacaf League run was the talk of 2020 and without the interruptions and lack of match fitness, 2021 should see some big things again from them.

The Movers and The Shakers

How good was the HFX Wanderers turn around last season? To go from last place in 2019 to playing in the final is full credit to the boys and Stephen Hart and goes to show that hard work and perseverance pays off. Expectation is on them to continue their form into this year.

York United, as they are now known, have a lot of pressure on their backs to live up to the potential their team has on paper. Goes to show that flooding a team with high-profile recruits doesn’t always equate to points in such a team dominated atmosphere like soccer.

And the second season of Atletico Ottawa should see them go from strength to strength after a hard-fought battle in 2020. No club had it easy last season, but it’s fair to say that Atletico had it harder than most in their inaugural year, still stringing together some good footy.

FC Edmonton will also feature a radically different side after head coach, Jeff Paulus, was replaced by Alan Koch. Along with a handful of new recruits, this could certainly prove to be a great season for Alberto fans as Koch will bring some valuable MLS coaching experience to the CPL.

Off-Season Transfers

Just to keep everyone on their toes, a little club swapping has taken place over the summer that could go either way for this season. York United have easily seen the biggest movement with 14 transfers away from the club including Manny Aparicio to Pacific, Joseph Di Chiara to Cavalry and the two Brazilians Jaco and Vasconcelos moving on. But to take their places, the Cavalry pair of Giantsopoulos and Zator, Brazilian William Wallace and Chrisnovic N’sa from HFX should see
them in good stead.

Over names of note include Fraser Aird making the move from Valour FC to Edmonton and David Norman Jnr who has come home after the first season of Inter Miami across the border. Forge have made one change, swapping Anthony Novak for Tristan Borges of Belgium’s OH Leuven club.

With more transfers on the cards, here’s hoping that not too much talent leaves Canadian shores for greener pastures to help get the third season off to a flyer. Ryan Telfer still remains unsigned, and Valour is still to confirm Julian Dunn to their centre back position to help bolster their finishing, which was somewhat lacking last season.

COVID-19

Obviously, the world is a slightly difference place now since the inaugural year of the CPL, but as the vaccine distribution starts to pick up pace, how will this year’s competition look? The goal of a full, uninterrupted season with fans in the stands is the ultimate end game for the powers that be but community safety and best practices will always take priority.

Bar any serious outbreaks from occurring, a full season looks likely which means that broadcasting and advertising revenue should go ahead as planned. The possibility of midweek games has been talked about again, but this will always be plan “b” and avoided at all costs.

So fans are likely in for a decent season of good soccer to help us distract from an otherwise abysmal year.

Main Changes for 2021

The biggest focus of the CPL has always centred around youth development and re-stocking the gene pool of clubs to see soccer progress in the years to come. That hasn’t changed in 2021.

As the competition looks to cement the youth for future circuits, one of the biggest changes this season will see the increase in playing time for under-21 players from 1,000 – 1,500 minutes for the season.

Foreign players are to be limited to a maximum of 7 per team, with only 5 allowed in the starting line-up of each match. Subsequently, each club must have a minimum of 4 international players on their books, also.

The focus on youth development is sure to see further public interest in the sport and more competition around the national side. Yes, many of these youngsters will be snapped up by the allure of a bigger paycheck down south or in Europe, but that can’t be helped. What is hoped, is that they will continue to develop as players, absorb the coaching from their foreign clubs and one day bring all that experience back to Canada.