NCC 2010: Pride Of Canada On The Line
The Canadian Soccer Association and its three top professional clubs – Impact de Montréal, Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC – announced the schedule today for the 2010 Nutrilite Canadian Championship.
The three-team, six-match tournament runs six consecutive Wednesday nights from April 28 to June 2. The 2010 winner will advance to represent Canada in the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League season.
“The pride of Canada will be on the line during the 2010 Nutrilite Canadian Championship,” said Canadian Soccer Association President Dr. Dominique Maestracci . “Only the best will move forward to represent our nation in 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League and hopefully the FIFA Club World Cup 2011. It should be another thrilling championship between the Impact, Toronto FC and Whitecaps FC.”
“Soccer’s long been a favourite of Canadians recreationally and the professional game is certainly becoming an integral part of the Canadian sporting mosaic,” said Jim Hunking Managing Director, Canada/Caribbean, Amway Global. “The NUTRILITE Canadian Championship has played a part of elevating the profile of the professional game, and we’re proud to have been affiliated with this tournament since its inception. The future of professional soccer in Canada has never looked brighter and Amway Canada is committed to helping athletes at all levels realize their dreams by remaining a world leader in nutrition.”
This will mark the third season of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. This year, all six matches will be broadcast on Rogers Sportsnet, the official English broadcaster of the championship. Details on the championship’s French broadcast will be forth coming.
As 2009 champions, Toronto FC will host both the opening and closing matches of the competition. The April 28 match features Toronto FC against the Impact; the June 2 match features Toronto FC against Whitecaps FC. Both Toronto matches will be played at BMO Field.
In between, the four matches are Whitecaps FC vs. Impact on May 5 in Vancouver, Impact vs. Toronto FC on May 12 in Montréal, Whitecaps FC vs. Toronto FC on May 19 in Vancouver , and Impact vs. Whitecaps FC on May 26 in Montréal. Vancouver matches are played at Swangard Stadium while Montréal matches are played at Stade Saputo.
Since 2008, Canada’s top professional teams have played for the Voyageurs Cup in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. The Impact won the inaugural championship in 2008 while Toronto FC won the 2009 championship. In 2009, the three professional clubs played in front of an average capacity of 96% at Stade Saputo, BMO Field and Swangard Stadium. Tickets to the six 2010 Nutrilite Canadian Championship matches will be available via the respective home club ticketing agencies.
| 2010 Schedule | Home | Visitor | Venue |
| Apr 28 | Toronto FC | Montreal Impact | BMO Field |
| May 05 | Vancouver Whitecaps | Montreal Impact | Swangard Stadium |
| May 12 | Montreal Impact | Toronto FC | Stade Saputo |
| May 19 | Vancouver Whitecaps | Toronto FC | Swangard Stadium |
| May 26 | Montreal Impact | Vancouver Whitecaps | Stade Saputo |
| Jun 02 | Toronto FC | Vancouver Whitecaps | BMO Field |
