Canadian Professional Soccer League (1998–2005)
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| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Confederation | Non-FIFA |
| Founded | 1926 (as NSL) 1992 (as CNSL) 1998 (as the CPSL) 2006 (as the CSL) |
| Divisions | CSL First Division CSL Second Division |
| Number of teams | 14 (8 1st Div, 6 2nd Div) |
| Level on pyramid | N/A |
| Domestic cup(s) | Givova Cup |
| Current champions |
Serbian White Eagles (2016) |
| Most championships |
Toronto Croatia (9 titles) (1st in 1970) |
| TV partners | Rogers Television |
| Website | canadiansoccerleague |
 2016 season
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The Canadian Soccer League (CSL) is an unsanctioned semi-professional soccer league in Canada, formerly sanctioned by the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) but now affiliated with the Soccer Federation of Canada (SFC). It used to be known as the Canadian Professional Soccer League (CPSL). It was renamed on May 17, 2006. CSL teams do not participate in the Canadian Championship, which determines the Canadian entry into the CONCACAF Champions League, and cannot participate in any FIFA-sanctioned events.
Despite its name, the CSL is not a national league as the teams are located in Southern Ontario. The Canadian Soccer League operates a reserve league, the CSL Second Division.
The Canadian Soccer League season runs from April/May through October/November annually. Eight teams in the league compete in a single table format. Teams play a balanced schedule of 22 games, with the top eight ranked teams advancing to the playoffs. The playoffs operate as a two-leg quarterfinal home and away series, followed by a one-game semi-final for the four surviving teams and a one-game final to crown the CSL Champions.
The CSL's first season was in 2006. The forerunner of the CSL, the CPSL, played its first season in 1998 by amalgamating four teams from the Canadian National Soccer League (the St. Catharines Wolves, North York Astros, London City, and Toronto Croatia) with four expansion franchises (Mississauga, York Region Shooters, Glen Shields and Toronto Olympians).
In 2006, an "international" division was added, which brought the Serbian White Eagles into the league; a new set of rules, regulations and a new constitution were established; the schedule format was changed; the relationship with the Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) and the Quebec Soccer Federation was revised in early 2008; and the CSL and the OSA signed a "Memorandum of Understanding" which provided the CSL with an increased level of autonomy and independence from the governing body.
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