The MLS eventually figured out how to get the Canadian teams on the pitch in the return to playing outside the bubble in Orlando.
The league released a return to play schedule for the American teams but left the Canadian teams out in the moment. The plan was for the Canadian teams to play each other in the short term.
The idea of all 3 Canadian teams winning in a day will not be an option. Fans of the individual teams won't care and there is always a Canadian winner, unless there is a tie.
The prospect after this step is for the Canadian teams to have a temporary host stadium in the U.S. (see the Toronto Blue Jays of Buffalo) or playing road games in the United States to finish out the 2020 MLS season.
Here are the upcoming all-Canadian matchups. TSN and TVA Sports will be found in the usual places. The games will air on ESPN+ in the U.S.
| Date | Road | Home | Time |
| August 18 | Vancouver | Toronto | 8p |
| August 21 | Vancouver | Toronto | 8p |
| August 25 | Vancouver | Montréal | 8p |
| August 28 | Toronto | Montréal | 8p |
| September 1 | Montréal | Toronto | 8p |
| September 5 | Toronto | Vancouver | 9:30p |
| September 9 | Toronto | Montréal | 8p |
| September 13 | Montréal | Vancouver | 9:30p |
| September 16 | Montréal | Vancouver | 9:30p |
Each team gets 6 games: 3 home, 3 road. The idea of playing the same opponent in the same city a few days apart is a bit odd but this cuts down on travel between east and west.
The Round of 16 wasn't fruitful for the Canadian MLS teams. Montréal was held scoreless in a 1-0 loss to Orlando. Toronto FC scored the only Canadian goal with a tally by Patrick Mullins scored in the 87th minute after the Reds were down 3-0. Vancouver FC had the most entertaining scoreless battle before losing to Sporting Kansas City in penalty kicks 3-1.
The Reds were without Ayo Akinola, who dominated the scoring in the games leading up to the Round of 16.
Competitive juices aside, as the folks on Whose Line Is It Anyway would say, "the points don't matter." MLS makes the round of 16 so exciting but the ultimate measure, points, weren't involved. Vancouver FC had a beat up team with a goaltender who almost came out of the game without a regular goaltender backup to be found.
All 3 Canadian MLS teams advance to Round of 16 in Orlando
MLS 2020 Orlando tournament preview
ESPN does a fine job with covering MLS but I confess I'm surprised how much I like Fox Sports 1 coverage of the MLS when Canadian teams are involved. The announcers and studio crew were rooting for the story of the Vancouver Whitecaps. They knew Sporting KC was the better team but enjoyed the exploits of the Whitecaps. Vancouver had struggled to find itself on U.S. television before the pandemic. Hopefully, minds were changed.
What sports will look like on Canadian soil in 2020
2020 MLS preview
CanadianCrossing.com soccer coverage
This might be the final chance to see MLS teams in Canada if only on TV. BMO Field (Toronto FC), Stade Saputo (Montréal Impact), and BC Place (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) won't be able to host their MLS teams after the Canadian teams play each other.
logo credit: MLS
photo credit: Fox Sports 1/MLS
Comments