TFC Academy in CSL schedule

The newest MLS franchise pledged several months ago to launch an academy program that would help support the growth and development of Canadian soccer.   

 In announcing the addition of TFC Academy to the CSL season, CSL Commissioner Cary Kaplan said he was thrilled to have the team competing in his league.  "Toronto FC has built a powerful sports brand in a very short time in Toronto, and has done wonders for the growth of soccer in this region.  The CSL is excited to establish a relationship with Toronto FC, and looks forward to being instrumental in the development of some of Canada's great young talent.  The games between TFC Academy and the CSL clubs are sure to be exciting.”

Paul Beirne, Toronto FC Director of Business Operations explained his club’s reason for selecting the CSL as the league in which the academy team will play. “The goal of Toronto FC is, of course, to one day hoist the MLS Cup but another goal has always been to have an indelible mark of the soccer landscape in Canada, and specifically Ontario. It is our hope that Toronto FC not only be the aspirational choice for young soccer players in Canada, but an academy that has a real effect on the development of young, talented players. When we needed to find a league that would test the mettle of the best players in the academy we wanted something that would test them technically, physically, and tactically – after all, in most countries in the world, U18s are in professional environments – but at the same time wouldn’t jeopardize their amateur status and the CSL was an ideal fit.”

 Guy Bradbury, the chief executive officer for the Ontario Soccer Association has expressed his pleasure at Toronto FC Academy team becoming a member of the CSL. “The co-operative relationship between TFC Academy and the Canadian Soccer League is a model for the improvement and development of soccer in Ontario and Canada. This initiative should be applauded as it provides the opportunity for the Academy players to compete at a high level while at the same time it will showcase the standards of the CSL”, he explained.