Canadian Crossing

Toronto, Vancouver in; Edmonton out for FIFA 2026 World Cup host cities

FIFA announces Toronto and Vancouver as host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™! 🇨🇦🏟

Toronto and Vancouver will join 11 host cities in the USA, and three host cities in Mexico as competition venues for the largest FIFA World Cup™ in history.

MORE 🔗: https://t.co/lDhELwSCee pic.twitter.com/imj5XIkT3k

— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) June 16, 2022

FIFA announced the 16 North American cities for the 2026 men's World Cup of football (soccer). Canada was originally supposed to get 3 cities but one of those slots went to the United States. Mexico got 3 locations while the United States received 11 cities.

Toronto and Vancouver were the Canadian cities invited to host games; Edmonton didn't make the cut.

The Canadian cities will host 10 games though we don't know how many will end up in each city. The United States will get 60 games while Mexico also gets 10 games. The consensus is that the U.S. cities will host the significant games in the tournament.

Toronto will be in the East section along with Boston (Foxborough), Philadelphia, Miami, and New York/New Jersey (East Rutherford, NJ).

Vancouver will be in the West section along with Seattle, San Francisco (Santa Clara), Los Angeles (Inglewood), and Guadalajara, Mexico.

The Central section consists of Kansas City, Dallas (Arlington), Atlanta, and Houston in the U.S. as well as Monterrey and Mexico City in Mexico.

Reminder: The Government of Alberta took the unusual step of demanding Edmonton host at least five of Canada's 10 allotted 2026 FIFA World Cup games. It also demanded Edmonton host two round of 32 or round of 16 knockout games.

Edmonton is now shut out of the World Cup.

— Kevin Nimmock (@KevinCTV) June 16, 2022

While Edmonton was the only Canadian city that missed the cut, the U.S. finalists that didn't make the cut were Cincinnati, Denver, Nashville, Orlando, Pasadena (CA), and Washington, D.C./Baltimore.

Montréal showed interest early. The Alberta government put conditions on funding that likely didn't help the Edmonton bid.

Canada defeated Costa Rica 1-0 in a World Cup qualifying game last November in front of 48,806 at Commonwealth Stadium. Don't mistake the selection process for the best places in Canada to host the tournament.

U.S. uses sun, speed to win 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup

Canada has never hosted a World Cup game on the men's side but did host the 2015 FIFA women's World Cup. That tournament was held in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montréal, and Moncton, NB.

Montréal and Edmonton hosted the semifinals; Edmonton also hosted the 3rd place game while Vancouver hosted the final game.

You may recall that the 2015 tournament was the first time games were played on artificial surfaces, much to the dismay of the players. This is why BC Place will put in a grass surface.

BMO Field in Toronto will get more seating for FIFA requirements. The 30,000 seat stadium will get bumped up to 45,500, still by far the lowest capacity of any of the 2026 World Cup cities.

Canada draws Group F for the 2022 World Cup

The Canadian men will play later this year in Qatar in the 2022 World Cup. This will be the first trip for the men's team since its one and only appearance in 1986.

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The World Cup is normally in June/July (the 2022 World Cup moved to the fall due to heat concerns in Qatar). The CFL will have to adjust the schedule as needed.

Adjustments depend on when the stadiums will be used in the World Cup and any adjustments in removing the grass surface in Vancouver. MLS will steer clear as well, but their primary issues are in a number of U.S. cities also taken up by the 2026 World Cup.

The Toronto Argonauts could play home games at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton or an early Touchdown Atlantic game.

BMO Field will also get a name adjustment just like the Winnipeg and Ottawa stadiums had in 2015. FIFA doesn't allow corporate sponsored names. 

TSN/CTV and Fox have the 2026 World Cup rights in their respective countries.

Twitter captures: @CanadaSoccerEN; @KevinCTV
photos credit: @CanadaSoccerEN/FIFA

Canada draws Group F for the 2022 World Cup

Group F 🇧🇪🇨🇦🇲🇦🇭🇷#CANMNT #WeCAN #FinalDraw pic.twitter.com/cypz9cTTx0

— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) April 1, 2022

Canada was literally the last ball drawn out of Pot 4 for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Canadian men's soccer team will be in Group F with Belgium, Morocco, and Croatia.

Even though Canada won the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) qualifying, the team still ended up in Pot 4, ranked 38 in FIFA rankings. The rankings for Canada's opponents are Belgium (2), Croatia (16), and Morocco (24).

Croatia was the runner-up in 2018, Belgium finished 3rd in 2018 so there is some tough competition. Morocco was in the World Cup in 2018 with a best finish in the round of 16 in 1986, the year Canada qualified for the World Cup.

Here is the Canadian schedule:

Date	Opponent	Time	Stadium	City
November 23	Belgium	2200	Ahmad bin Ali Stadium	Al Rayyan
November 27	Croatia	1900	Khalifa International Stadium	Al Rayyan
December 1	Morocco	1800	Al Thumama Stadium	Doha

Times listed are Qatar time, GMT+3. EST (Eastern) is GMT-5.

The late night times might seem like a disadvantage but consider that Qatar has an average high of 30°C (86°F) in November.

The top 2 teams in each group advance to the knockout stage.

Canada has been a bit excited when the men's soccer team qualified for the 2022 World Cup with a 4-0 win over Jamaica at BMO Field on Sunday. 

Canada finished first in CONCACAF qualifying with a 8-2-4 record. The final match was actually a 1-0 loss to Panama in Panama City on Wednesday.

Alphonso Davies may be the most famous name on the team. The team also has Cyle Larin (Besiktas) and Jonathan David (Lille) who are in the Champions League. Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC) and captain Atiba Hutchinson (Besiktas) are notables in midfield.

Englishman John Herdman is the team coach. You might remember that Herdman led the 2015 Women's World Cup team.

2021 Tokyo Olympics Canadian wrapup

Canada and soccer means women's soccer. The women's soccer team won the gold medal in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Canada hosted the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. Christine Sinclair is the most famous soccer player from Canada.

The Canadian men's soccer team wants to shift that perspective now that the team will play in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

U.S. uses sun, speed to win 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup

This is the first time in the tournament for Canada since 1986 and only the second appearance ever.

Canada lost all 3 games in Group C in 1986 and didn't score a goal, finishing with a -5 goal differential.Canada lost to France (0-1), Hungary (0-2), and the Soviet Union (0-2) in Mexico. 

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The timing of Canada reaching the World Cup is extra good since the United States, Canada, and Mexico will host the 2026 World Cup.

Twitter capture: @CanadaSoccerEN
photo credit: One Soccer

2022 MLS Canadian teams preview

The 2022 MLS season will be notable in Canada because the Canadian MLS teams get to play all of their home games in Canada. The 2020 and 2021 seasons were filled with "home" games on U.S. soil from Connecticut, New Jersey, Florida, Oregon, and Utah.

Wilfried Nancy is the senior coach of the MLS Canadian teams, having served as the coach for CF Montréal in 2021.

Vanni Sartini took over the Vancouver Whitecaps on August 27, going 7-5-3 in the regular season.

Bob Bradley, father of captain Michael Bradley, is the new Toronto FC head coach. The senior Bradley was the initial coach of Los Angeles FC and served as the coach from 2018-2021.

Been a long time since a Toronto FC squad didn't have Jozy Altidore. Altidore is now with the New England Revolution after a buyout. Justin Morrow retired from MLS soccer.

Lorenzo Insigne is the most popular MLS offseason signing. The Italy national team starter won't get to Toronto until July on a free transfer. Insigne will be a viable 31 years old when he arrives.

Carlos Salcedo is another huge pickup for Toronto FC after being away from the MLS for 7 years. Salcedo is only 28.

CF Montréal will be glad to have Alistair Johnston on defence after acquiring Johnston from Nashville SC for $1 million in General Allocation Money.

Vancouver got a new right-sided centre back in Tristan Blackmon via Charlotte and ultimately LAFC.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC eliminated from 2021 MLS playoffs

2021 MLS playoffs preview: Vancouver Whitecaps FC as the #6 seed

Vancouver scored 1 playoff goal while CF Montréal barely missed the playoffs. Toronto FC didn't come close to the 2021 MLS playoffs.

Toronto FC, CF Montreal get to cross back into Canada

ABC and ESPN released their full schedules. Fox and Fox Sports 1 gave a press release but not a full schedule.

The Canadian MLS teams in 2021 did not appear on U.S. television, English or Spanish, in the regular season. If this changes somehow, we will update this article

TSN will carry Toronto FC and Vancouver FC matches as well as 16 CF Montréal contests. TVA Sports will carry all CF Montréal matches en Francaise.

CTV will simulcast the TSN feed on Saturday (Sunday for May 8) telecasts this spring:

March 19 DC United @ Toronto FC, 3 pm
April 2 NYCFC @ Toronto FC, 4 pm
April 16 Vancouver @ CF Montréal, 3 pm
April 23 CF Montréal @ Philadelphia, 3 pm
April 30 Cincinnati @ Toronto FC, 3 pm
May 8 Toronto FC @ Vancouver FC, 4 pm
May 14 Orlando SC @ Toronto FC, 3 pm
May 21 Toronto FC @ DC United, 4 pm

ESPN+ will carry all English language feeds. This is where we note that ESPN+ carries the MLB, CFL, and NHL.

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Vancouver starts out the season in Columbus this afternoon. Toronto FC is in Dallas today. CF Montréal is in Orlando on Sunday.

The Canadian teams open their home schedule on March 5. Toronto FC has its home opener against the New York Red Bulls at BMO Field. CF Montréal opens its home schedule against Philadelphia at Olympic Stadium. The Stade Saputo schedule starts in April. Vancouver Whitecaps FC host New York City FC at BC Place. 

Charlotte FC is the newest expansion team. Nashville SC moves to the Western Conference.

logos credits: individual teams/MLS

Vancouver Whitecaps FC eliminated from 2021 MLS playoffs

The 2021 Vancouver Whitecaps FC season is now done after some much needed MLS playoff experience. Cristian Dajome scored on a penalty kick in the 39th minute, the lone goal for the Whitecaps. Sporting Kansas City advanced with a 3-1 win over Vancouver.

The Canadian teams were at a significant disadvantage from the other MLS teams in 2021, starting the season in the United States. All 3 teams either started with a new coach (Montréal) or switched coaches in the middle of the season (Toronto, Vancouver).

Ryan Gauld and Brian White led the way, especially in the much improved second half of the season for Vancouver. Vanni Sartini went on a really nice run as the newest Whitecaps coach.

Sporting Kansas City outshot Vancouver 12-6.

Chins up#VWFC | @Bell pic.twitter.com/MAdcT2MaFi

— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) November 21, 2021

This was the best season for Vancouver since 2017, the only MLS season with a playoff win.

The Whitecaps made the MLS playoffs in a season where both Los Angeles teams were on the sidelines. The challenge will be tougher in 2022; having half of their games in Vancouver for the first time since 2019 will help out a lot.

Consider the surprise element of making the MLS playoffs for the first since 2017 (Vancouver) versus a team in the playoffs for the 10th time in 11 seasons (Sporting Kansas City).

.@WhitecapsFC finally end up on U.S. television thanks to @MLS playoffs. That was only helpful if your Spanish is muy bueno. @TUDNUSA normally has SAP in motion but not for the playoffs???

— Chad Rubel (@canadian_xing) November 21, 2021

Update on this: Univision isn’t doing an SAP feed for its playoff games this weekend because there are English-language broadcasts in the participating teams’ local markets.

I assume (I’ll find out) that the free live stream on MLS’ website has an English feed. https://t.co/mCv7jmBdQc

— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) November 18, 2021

MLS and its U.S. TV partners have worked together to eliminate Canadian teams from its national broadcasts during the regular season. Making the playoffs means access to U.S. television, though Vancouver drew a day where ESPN and Fox Sports 1 were not being used (as your humble narrator predicted).

The playoff game ran on Univision (Spanish) with an expected English language feed on TUDN. Except TUDN didn't have an English language feed for either playoff game. MLS points out that there was an English language feed on its Web site and app.

That doesn't help you if you were watching on TV or had a life and would watch the game at a later time. MLS handled this extremely poorly after getting things correct in previous seasons.

MLS allowed local feeds for the games on Univision and TUDN, but those were only for the local markets. The games specifically are on television, that is not on ESPN+. U.S. viewers outside of Seattle could see the final regular season game for the Whitecaps with the TSN feed. Access to the playoffs was considerably more difficult despite the game being on U.S. television.

The money saved by not having an English language feed is offset by the nasty taste of a public relations cluster[bleep].

Canadians could watch the game in English on TSN.

Even with a playoff appearance, the U.S. outlets almost certainly won't have Vancouver (or Montréal or Toronto) on TV in 2022. The only question will be whether those playoff appearances will have an English language feed.

2021 MLS playoffs preview: Vancouver Whitecaps FC as the #6 seed

Toronto FC, CF Montreal get to cross back into Canada

Romell Quioto had the lone goal in the 72nd minute to give CF Montréal the Voyageurs Cup as winners of the 2021 Canadian Championship. The win came at the expense of its primary MLS rival Toronto FC at Stade Saputo in Montréal.

Jordan Perruzza hit the goalpost for the Reds in the 90th minute, the closest Toronto FC came to a goal.

Quioto had 6 of CF Montréal's 23 shots compared to 4 for Toronto FC.

CF Montréal gets bragging rights and a 2022 Concacaf Champions League spot along with the New England Revolution, Colorado Rapids, Seattle Sounders, and the MLS Cup winner.

These teams met for the 2019 Voyageurs Cup as the then Montréal Impact won on a penalty shootout. The 2020 tournament came down to Toronto and Forge FC (Hamilton) that hasn't been scheduled.

CF Montréal had the edge over Toronto FC in the 2021 MLS regular season with 2 wins and a draw.

2021 MLS preview

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The biggest soccer news in Canada might have been the fact that Canada is now at the top of the CONCACAF World Cup men's soccer group after a 2-1 win over Mexico 2-1 last Tuesday. Cyle Larin scored both goals with the snow at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.

Canada (4-0-4) with 6 more matches to play. The men haven't played in the World Cup since 1986. Canada is ahead of the United States by a point; 2 points over Mexico and Panama. The top 3 countries qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Canada, the United States, and Mexico are hosting the 2026 World Cup.

'Caps #MLSCupPlayoff merch is here! 🎉#VWFC #BringItHome

— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) November 13, 2021

MLS Canadian teams playoffs results

Year	Date	Teams	Winner	Score
2021	November 20	Vancouver @ Sporting Kansas City	Kansas City	3-1
2020	November 24	Nashville @ Toronto	Nashville	1-0 (ET)
2020	November 20	Montréal @ New England	New England	2-1
2019	November 10	Toronto @ Seattle	Seattle	3-1
2019	October 30	Toronto @ Atlanta	Toronto	2-1
2019	October 23	Toronto @ New York City FC	Toronto	2-1
2019	October 19	D.C. United @ Toronto	Toronto	5-1 (ET)
2017	December 9	Seattle @ Toronto	Toronto	2-0
2017	November 29	Columbus @ Toronto	Toronto	1-0
2017	November 21	Toronto @ Columbus	Tie	0-0
2017	November 5	New York Red Bulls @ Toronto	NY Red Bulls	1-0
2017	November 2	Vancouver @ Seattle	Seattle	2-0
2017	October 30	Toronto @ New York Red Bulls	Toronto	2-1
2017	October 29	Seattle @ Vancouver	Tie	0-0
2017	October 25	San Jose @ Vancouver	Vancouver	5-0
2016	December 10	Seattle @ Toronto FC	Seattle	0-0 (5-4 PK)
2016	November 30	Montréal @ Toronto FC	Toronto FC	5-2 (ET)
2016	November 22	Toronto FC @ Montréal	Montréal	3-2
2016	November 6	Montréal @ New York Red Bulls	Montréal	2-1
2016	November 6	Toronto FC @ NYCFC	Toronto FC	5-0
2016	October 30	NYCFC @ Toronto FC	Toronto FC	2-0
2016	October 30	New York Red Bulls @ Montréal	Montréal	1-0
2016	October 27	Montréal @ D.C. United	Montréal	4-2
2016	October 26	Philadelphia @ Toronto FC	Toronto FC	3-1
2015	November 8	Portland @ Vancouver	Portland	2-0
2015	November 8	Montréal @ Columbus	Columbus	3-1 (ET)
2015	November 1	Vancouver @ Portland	Tie	0-0
2015	November 1	Columbus @ Montréal	Montréal	2-1
2015	October 29	Toronto FC @ Montréal	Montréal	3-0
2014	October 29	Vancouver @ Dallas	Dallas	2-1
2013	October 31	Montréal @ Houston	Houston	3-0
2012	November 1	Vancouver @ LA Galaxy	LA Galaxy	2-1

photo credit: MLS
Twitter captures: @WhitecapsFC; @canadian_xing; @thegoalkeeper; @WhitecapsFC
video credit: YouTube/OneSoccer

2021 MLS playoffs preview: Vancouver Whitecaps FC as the #6 seed

Editor's note: This article has been updated to give the date and time of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC playoff game at Sporting Kansas City.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC spent longer in the United States than their Canadian counterparts, Toronto FC and CF Montréal, in 2021. Like Toronto FC, the Whitecaps had a coaching change. Unlike the Reds, the change brought a dramatic comeback and Vancouver will be the lone Canadian representative in the 2021 MLS playoffs.

The 1-1 tie with Seattle at BC Place earlier today gave the Whitecaps just enough points for a Western Conference playoff spot. This is the first playoff appearance for Vancouver since 2017, the season where the team earned its only playoff win as a MLS team.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC finished the regular season 12-9-13 for 49 points. The team went 10-4-3 in "home" games, 7-1-1 in Vancouver, and 2-5-10 on the road.

Head coach Marc Dos Santos had been the dean of Canadian team coaches (not saying much) until he and assistant coach Phillip Dos Santos were dismissed on August 27. Vanni Sartini (above) has been the interim head coach. The Whitecaps are 7-2-5 under Sartini.

While Toronto FC and CF Montréal got to return to Canada in mid-July, Vancouver didn't start up in Canada at BC Place until August 21. The Whitecaps played at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, outside Salt Lake City, Utah until July 31.

Thank you for standing by us 💙#VWFC pic.twitter.com/4pTFgGV8Er

— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) November 8, 2021

The Whitecaps (#6 seed) will travel to Sporting Kansas City (#3 seed). Sporting Kansas City went 9-3-5 at home. Each team won a game at home in the regular season: Sporting KC won 3-0 on May 16 while Vancouver won 2-1 on October 17.

The game will indeed be on November 20 at 5 pm Eastern from the state of Kansas. Univision and TUDN in the United States; TSN and TVA Sports in Canada will have the game. If you activate the SAP feed for TUDN, the game will feature audio in English, though the halftime and commercials will be en Espanol.

You can almost pencil in the Whitecaps for November 20 since those games will be on Univision and TUDN in the United States. The November 21 games will be on ABC and ESPN and the November 23 games will be on Fox Sports 1.

If the Whitecaps advance, Vancouver will face the winner of the Seattle Sounders vs. Real Salt Lake.

Kansas, we're coming 🌊

Our first 2021 MLS Cup Playoff matchup has been announced ⬇️

🗓️ Saturday, November 20
🕑 2pm PT
🆚 @SportingKC
📍 Kansas City, KS
🏟️ Children's Mercy Park
📺 TSN
📻 AM730#VWFC

— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) November 9, 2021

Toronto FC, CF Montreal get to cross back into Canada

2021 MLS preview

CF Montréal was still alive on Decision Day, needing a win over Orlando SC at Stade Saputo. The team was shut out in the final game.

CF Montréal started the season in Florida at Inter Miami CF's DRV PNK Stadium. The team lost a pair of home games in early July due to CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification. CF Montréal played "home" games (July 3) in its 2020 home in Harrison, NJ and in Orlando on July 7. CF Montréal returned to Stade Spauto on July 17.

CF Montréal finished 12-12-10 for 46 points, 10th in the Eastern Conference. The team finished 1-2-3 in the last 6 games. The lone win over Houston kept CF Montréal alive on Decision Day. The team went 9-4-4 in "home" games, 6-3-2 in Montréal, and 3-8-6 on the road.

Wilfried Nancy coached the team through the whole 2021 season.

Canadian MLS teams start an extended U.S. road trip

Toronto FC spent 3 months (April 17-July 16) in Orlando at Exploria Stadium. The Reds got to play home matches on July 17 and July 21 before getting clearance to host at BMO Field. Toronto FC changed coaches in mid-season: Chris Armas was the new coach until July 4, then Javier Pérez served as the interim coach. Former coach Greg Vanney led the LA Galaxy, a team that narrowly missed the playoffs.

Toronto FC finished 6-18-10 for 28 points, 13th in the Eastern Conference. The team went 4-6-7 in "home" games, 3-4-6 in Toronto, and 2-12-3 on the road.

2020 MLS regular season returns with all-Canadian games

What sports will look like on Canadian soil in 2020

Watching Canadian teams in MLS action required ESPN+ on the U.S. side. Even having Canadian teams on U.S. soil could not draw any of the English and Spanish outlets to carry any Canadian team.

The only time, other than local outlets, they appeared on U.S. TV was Fox Sports 2's coverage of the Canadian Championship. The outlet didn't cover all the games. CF Montréal was on twice: CF Montréal handled the HFX Wanderers 3-1 in the quarterfinal on September 22 in Halifax. The other contest was the semifinal 0-0 (8-7) with Forge FC in Hamilton on October 27.

Toronto FC and CF Montréal will play for the Canadian Championship at a date to be determined.

CanadianCrossing.com soccer coverage

Vancouver Whitecaps FC have only made the playoffs 4 times since 2011. The Whitecaps were eliminated in 2012 (LA Galaxy) and 2014 (Dallas) by 2-1 scores. Vancouver suffered a tie and a loss to Portland, going scoreless in the 2015 MLS playoffs. The 2017 postseason produced a home win (San Jose 5-0) before a tie and loss to Seattle, going scoreless in that round.

MLS Canadian teams playoffs results

Year	Date	Teams	Winner	Score
2021	November 20	Vancouver @ Sporting Kansas City	TBD	TBD
2020	November 24	Nashville @ Toronto	Nashville	1-0 (ET)
2020	November 20	Montréal @ New England	New England	2-1
2019	November 10	Toronto @ Seattle	Seattle	3-1
2019	October 30	Toronto @ Atlanta	Toronto	2-1
2019	October 23	Toronto @ New York City FC	Toronto	2-1
2019	October 19	D.C. United @ Toronto	Toronto	5-1 (ET)
2017	December 9	Seattle @ Toronto	Toronto	2-0
2017	November 29	Columbus @ Toronto	Toronto	1-0
2017	November 21	Toronto @ Columbus	Tie	0-0
2017	November 5	New York Red Bulls @ Toronto	NY Red Bulls	1-0
2017	November 2	Vancouver @ Seattle	Seattle	2-0
2017	October 30	Toronto @ New York Red Bulls	Toronto	2-1
2017	October 29	Seattle @ Vancouver	Tie	0-0
2017	October 25	San Jose @ Vancouver	Vancouver	5-0
2016	December 10	Seattle @ Toronto FC	Seattle	0-0 (5-4 PK)
2016	November 30	Montréal @ Toronto FC	Toronto FC	5-2 (ET)
2016	November 22	Toronto FC @ Montréal	Montréal	3-2
2016	November 6	Montréal @ New York Red Bulls	Montréal	2-1
2016	November 6	Toronto FC @ NYCFC	Toronto FC	5-0
2016	October 30	NYCFC @ Toronto FC	Toronto FC	2-0
2016	October 30	New York Red Bulls @ Montréal	Montréal	1-0
2016	October 27	Montréal @ D.C. United	Montréal	4-2
2016	October 26	Philadelphia @ Toronto FC	Toronto FC	3-1
2015	November 8	Portland @ Vancouver	Portland	2-0
2015	November 8	Montréal @ Columbus	Columbus	3-1 (ET)
2015	November 1	Vancouver @ Portland	Tie	0-0
2015	November 1	Columbus @ Montréal	Montréal	2-1
2015	October 29	Toronto FC @ Montréal	Montréal	3-0
2014	October 29	Vancouver @ Dallas	Dallas	2-1
2013	October 31	Montréal @ Houston	Houston	3-0
2012	November 1	Vancouver @ LA Galaxy	LA Galaxy	2-1

photo credit and Twitter captures: @WhitecapsFC

Toronto FC, CF Montreal get to cross back into Canada

Nothing is set other than there will be 3 MLS games on Canadian soil within the next week. Toronto FC hosts Orlando City on Saturday and the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday at BMO Field. CF Montréal welcomes FC Cincinnati at Saputo Stadium on Saturday.

The Vancouver Whitecaps are at "home" at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah on Saturday (LA Galaxy) and Tuesday (Houston Dynamo). This may be about Ontario and Quebec more than British Columbia.

Attendance will be limited in Canada. The Reds get 7,000 fans for Saturday and 15,000 for Wednesday. CF Montréal will have 5,000 fans, an increase of 1,500 fans from what the Montréal Canadiens could have at the Bell Centre during the Stanley Cup final. This is about outdoors vs. indoors.

The Canadian teams are having a terrible 2021 season being away from home: CF Montréal (5-3-4) is having a decent season while Toronto FC (2-8-2) is last among the 27 MLS teams. The Whitecaps (2-7-3) are #25 in the league.

The Major League Soccer announcement only covers those dates. Assumptions are just that. Might this help the Toronto Blue Jays get to Rogers Centre faster? Speculation. Hopefully.

2021 MLS preview

Canadian MLS teams start an extended U.S. road trip

2020 MLS regular season returns with all-Canadian games

What sports will look like on Canadian soil in 2020

The Canadian teams did get to play each other on Canadian soil from August 18-September 16 last season: 3 home and 3 road games.

Toronto FC has been in Orlando in 2021 after spending 2020 in East Hartford, CT. CF Montréal has been in Fort Lauderdale in 2021 and Harrison, NJ in 2020. Vancouver has been in Sandy, Utah in 2021 and Portland, OR in 2020.

Like the Beach Boys version of Sloop John B says, "well I feel so broke up, I wanna go home."

These will be the first American MLS teams on Canadian soil since the COVID-19 pandemic started.

CanadianCrossing.com soccer coverage

The MLS games are available on TSN and TVA Sports in Canada and ESPN+ in the United States. As for U.S. national television, English and Spanish television say "no" and "no."

logo credits: CF Montréal; Toronto FC; Vancouver Whitecaps FC/MLS

2021 MLS preview

The 2020 Major League Soccer (MLS) season had the Canadian teams start out "normal" before the COVID-19 pandemic. Each Canadian MLS team had a home game before the shutdown and then 3 home games on Canadian soil in September. Otherwise, they were wandering nomads in the U.S. desert.

Vancouver even had to play Portland in a "home game" in Portland.

2021 still has the Canadian teams in the United States. Toronto FC will start the 2021 season playing home matches in Orlando.

The Reds were in East Hartford, Connecticut as their U.S. base following the brief trip on Canadian soil. Like the Toronto Blue Jays, the logic of playing in Florida in the spring makes a lot of sense. The team might be back in East Hartford, Connecticut later in the season if not BMO Field in Toronto.

CF Montréal is playing at the Inter Miami CF stadium in Fort Lauderdale after playing in Harrison, NJ last season. Montréal got a home game at Olympic Stadium before the pandemic and 3 at Stade Saputo in the late summer.

Vancouver will establish a base at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah outside Salt Lake City as a base until the team can get back to BC Place.

The Montréal Impact have rebranded as Club de Foot Montréal, or CF Montréal. CF Montréal has a new logo as well as part of the rebranding.

Wilfried Nancy, an assistant coach with the team since 2016, takes over for Thierry Henry, who left after a single season. Henry was mentioned in the rumour mills to leave to coach Bournemouth.

While that team decided to retain its interim manager, Henry then left CF Montréal for family reasons.

Henry's single season for Montréal led to a 8-13-2 record and a playoff game, the first for the team since 2016.

Toronto FC, Montreal Impact gone from 2020 MLS Playoffs

Chris Armas is the new Toronto FC coach. Armas replaces Greg Vanney, who resigned. Vanney is now the coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Armas was the New York Red Bulls head coach for slightly over 2 years from 2018-2020.

Vanney took over Toronto FC in August 2014, the team's 9th coach in 8 years. He provided a much needed stability and brought success to the team. Vanney finished his Toronto career with a regular-season record of 87-68-48. The team went to 3 MLS Cups in his tenure: 2016, 2017, and 2019 winning the title in 2017.

The Reds qualified for the playoffs under Vanney in all but one of his 6 full seasons.

2017 was a stellar year for Vanney: MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield, and the Canadian Championship.

This makes Marc Dos Santos the longest running coach of a Canadian MLS team. Santos has been in charge of the Vancouver Whitecaps since November 7, 2018. The Whitecaps haven't made the MLS playoffs since 2017.

2020 MLS playoffs preview

Toronto, Montreal make 2020 MLS playoffs

2020 MLS preview

Montréal "hosts" Toronto to start the MLS season on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale. Vancouver hosts Portland in Utah on Sunday. The Toronto "home" opener in Orlando will be next Saturday against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

CanadianCrossing.com soccer coverage

The only U.S. TV appearances for the Canadian MLS teams in 2020 came as a result of the Orlando tournament. The COVID-19 pandemic took out the spring TV schedule for CTV in 2020.

None of the English and Spanish channels in the U.S. have any telecasts with Canadian teams, again. Ugh.

TSN will carry Toronto FC and Vancouver FC matches as well as select CF Montréal contests. RDS will carry all CF Montréal matches en Francaise.;

CTV will simulcast the TSN feed on Saturday telecasts this spring:

April 17 Toronto FC @ CF Montréal, 2 pm
April 24 Vancouver FC @ Toronto, 3 pm
May 1 Columbus @ CF Montréal, 3 pm
May 8 CF Montréal @ Vancouver FC, 3 pm
May 15 Toronto FC @ New York City FC, 1 pm
May 22 Cincinnati @ CF Montréal, 1 pm
May 29 Toronto FC @ Columbus, 3 pm

All games are available on ESPN+. Once (if) the CFL resumes, ESPN+ is a better acquisition for your humble narrator.

MLS Canadian teams playoffs results

Year	Date	Teams	Winner	Score
2020	November 24	Nashville @ Toronto	Nashville	1-0 (ET)
2020	November 20	Montréal @ New England	New England	2-1
2019	November 10	Toronto @ Seattle	Seattle	3-1
2019	October 30	Toronto @ Atlanta	Toronto	2-1
2019	October 23	Toronto @ New York City FC	Toronto	2-1
2019	October 19	D.C. United @ Toronto	Toronto	5-1 (ET)
2017	December 9	Seattle @ Toronto	Toronto	2-0
2017	November 29	Columbus @ Toronto	Toronto	1-0
2017	November 21	Toronto @ Columbus	Tie	0-0
2017	November 5	New York Red Bulls @ Toronto	NY Red Bulls	1-0
2017	November 2	Vancouver @ Seattle	Seattle	2-0
2017	October 30	Toronto @ New York Red Bulls	Toronto	2-1
2017	October 29	Seattle @ Vancouver	Tie	0-0
2017	October 25	San Jose @ Vancouver	Vancouver	5-0
2016	December 10	Seattle @ Toronto FC	Seattle	0-0 (5-4 PK)
2016	November 30	Montréal @ Toronto FC	Toronto FC	5-2 (ET)
2016	November 22	Toronto FC @ Montréal	Montréal	3-2
2016	November 6	Montréal @ New York Red Bulls	Montréal	2-1
2016	November 6	Toronto FC @ NYCFC	Toronto FC	5-0
2016	October 30	NYCFC @ Toronto FC	Toronto FC	2-0
2016	October 30	New York Red Bulls @ Montréal	Montréal	1-0
2016	October 27	Montréal @ D.C. United	Montréal	4-2
2016	October 26	Philadelphia @ Toronto FC	Toronto FC	3-1
2015	November 8	Portland @ Vancouver	Portland	2-0
2015	November 8	Montréal @ Columbus	Columbus	3-1 (ET)
2015	November 1	Vancouver @ Portland	Tie	0-0
2015	November 1	Columbus @ Montréal	Montréal	2-1
2015	October 29	Toronto FC @ Montréal	Montréal	3-0
2014	October 29	Vancouver @ Dallas	Dallas	2-1
2013	October 31	Montréal @ Houston	Houston	3-0
2012	November 1	Vancouver @ LA Galaxy	LA Galaxy	2-1

logo credits: MLS

When will Canadians be able to watch their favourite team in person

The Toronto Raptors have had fans at "home" games in Tampa, FL. The Toronto Blue Jays have had fans at their Grapefruit League games in Dunedin, FL.

Toronto FC (Orlando) and CF Montréal (Miami) will likely have fans at the start of the 2021 MLS season. Vancouver Whitecaps FC will establish a base at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah outside Salt Lake City, uncertain of whether fans can attend.

Arizona, Dallas, Florida, Tampa Bay in the NHL have been aggressive early and often in the 2021 season. They have the highest capacity of fans and they were in the stands from the start.

A majority of NHL teams are allowing fans in the stands. A few teams have added fans in March. The general consensus is 10%-15% capacity with Detroit at 4%, St. Louis at 7.5%, and Dallas at 30%.

The number of NHL teams that haven't allowed fans is dwindling. Minnesota allows 250 people, including staff and families. Colorado doesn't allow fans right now but the plan is 22% capacity starting April 2.

There are 12 NHL teams that don't allow or haven't an agreement to have fans: California teams (Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose), Chicago and Washington, and all 7 Canadian teams.

Edmonton has been the loudest voice among the Canadian teams to get NHL fans back in the stands.

The argument can be that the U.S. teams — especially Arizona, Dallas, Florida, Tampa Bay — were too liberal in letting fans in arenas. The argument can be that the Canadian teams have been too conservative in letting in fans.

This isn't just about the Canadian NHL teams making some money from fans in the stands. They are at a financial disadvantage compared to the southern U.S. teams in revenue. This is also about where the NHL final four will play.

The Toronto and Edmonton NHL bubbles were stellar in the summer of 2020. The U.S. divisions have had multiple postponements due to COVID-19 in the 2021 season. The first all-Canadian game was postponed with Edmonton in Montréal on Monday night due to COVID-19 protocols.

Toronto Blue Jays won't play in Canada for 2020 regular season

What sports will look like on Canadian soil in 2020

CanadianCrossing.com NHL coverage

Putting the last four NHL teams in a bubble would be a wonderful financial windfall for Edmonton or Toronto or maybe even Vancouver. The federal Canadian government had no issue allowing this in 2020.

The provincial governments have been reluctant to allow fans. The alternative for the lone Canadian survivor of the NHL playoffs is to be assigned a U.S. arena while the other 3 U.S. teams get to play at home.

Gary Bettman doesn't like Canada but had no choice in 2020. U.S. teams are allowing fans. Gary Bettman can't and shouldn't ignore that issue. The NHL would be reluctant to come back to Canada without fans.

British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec have influence over fans in the NHL. That list of provinces plus Saskatchewan have influence over fans in the stands for CFL games this summer and fall. CFL fans are also watching this trend since the consensus is that Canadian football won't happen without fans.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer for British Columbia, said Monday that indoor gatherings of "any size" remain a risk and only gather in small groups of up to 10 outside. "The areas where we know it spreads most quickly and most dangerously are the same as they were last year — but now there's even less a margin for error."

Vaccines could make a significant difference between now and June. The current influx of cases in Canada due to COVID-19 variants has to also come down.

750 fans of the then Montréal Impact MLS team got to watch their favourite team in person in 2020. Quebec allowed a maximum of 250 fans each for the 3 games in the summer of 2020 at Stade Saputo. Canada can start with small crowds, if and when there is a consensus from the medical community.

photo credit: Rogers Sportsnet/Blue Jays/MLB

Toronto FC, Montreal Impact gone from 2020 MLS Playoffs

When the 2020 MLS season started, and we told you that Toronto FC would lose to Nashville in the MLS playoffs, you would have a few thoughts. "Nashville has a team?" Yes, the team just started in 2020. "That means Toronto lost in the MLS Cup since Nashville is in the west." That was true when the 2020 MLS season began.

The long and interrupted 2020 MLS season ended for Toronto FC on an empty and cold night in East Hartford, CT by getting shut out by a team that didn't exist a year earlier.

The long wait in between the regular season and playoff games. The injuries. The living in hotel rooms in Connecticut since September.

Nashville posted a 1-0 win in extra time last night, eliminating the second and final Canadian MLS team from the 2020 MLS playoffs. The Montréal Impact suffered a 2-1 loss to the New England Revolution in Foxborough, MA on Friday night.

Not the way we wanted this run to end. And although we couldn’t be together, we felt the support from each and every one of you. In a season full of unknowns and challenges, you all were the constant. #TFCLive

Can’t wait to see you all again by the lakeshore. pic.twitter.com/phkzabEwEc

— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) November 25, 2020

Daniel Rios scored the only goal of the game in the 108th minute.

Toronto almost scored in extra time as Richie Lareya set up Ayo Akinola, but the latter couldn't catch up to the ball.

Nashville dominated the game, especially in the second half.

We can't overlook the moment in the 32nd minute when Toronto's Jonathan Osorio, after a skirmish with Alex Muyl, ended up kicking Muyl in a highly sensitive area. Somehow, Osorio avoided a red card.

2020 MLS playoffs preview

Toronto, Montreal make 2020 MLS playoffs

Nashville advanced to play Toronto after shutting out Inter Miami CF 3-0 in the franchise's first MLS playoff win. Both Nashville and Inter Miami CF are in their inaugural season. The Nashville franchise started the season in the Western Conference but was moved to the Eastern Conference for the Orlando tournament.

Toronto FC and Nashville didn't even meet in the regular season. You might remember that Nashville didn't play in the Orlando tournament since the team had too many COVID-19 cases.

Toronto was only the second higher seed team to lose in the first round, joining the Portland Timbers.

The Reds went back to Toronto with family before heading to Hartford. The U.S. teams could be with their families since the season resumed in August.

Canadian MLS teams start an extended U.S. road trip

2020 MLS regular season returns with all-Canadian games

The Montréal Impact might not have won in extra time but lost very late in regulation, giving up the winning goal in the 95fh minute. Romell Quioto evened the score at 1 with a header in the 61st minute. New England pulled out a 2-1 win.

The Impact goal came on a free kick from midfielder Amar Sejdic. Rudy Camacho bounced the ball off his head to Quioto.

Montréal was a bit shorthanded with Victor Wanyama not back from playing with the Kenyan national team. Midfielder Samuel Piette was suspended after a red card in the regular season finale.

This was the first MLS playoff game for Montréal since 2016. New England hadn't won a playoff game since 2014.

All 3 Canadian MLS teams advance to Round of 16 in Orlando

MLS 2020 Orlando tournament preview

This was the first Toronto FC game (outside the Orlando tournament) that was on U.S. television in all of 2020. The Reds had been to 3 of the last 4 MLS Cups and were left off of the U.S. television schedule in English and Spanish. A first-round loss will solidify that standing.

Toronto FC had a chance to be on ABC on Sunday with a win. The top-seed Philadelphia Union also lost last night.

NHL, MLB, MLS latest sports leagues to suspend their regular season

2020 MLS preview

CanadianCrossing.com soccer coverage

MLS Canadian teams playoffs results

Year	Date	Teams	Winner	Score
2020	November 24	Nashville @ Toronto	Nashville	1-0 (ET)
2020	November 20	Montréal @ New England	New England	2-1
2019	November 10	Toronto @ Seattle	Seattle	3-1
2019	October 30	Toronto @ Atlanta	Toronto	2-1
2019	October 23	Toronto @ New York City FC	Toronto	2-1
2019	October 19	D.C. United @ Toronto	Toronto	5-1 (ET)
2017	December 9	Seattle @ Toronto	Toronto	2-0
2017	November 29	Columbus @ Toronto	Toronto	1-0
2017	November 21	Toronto @ Columbus	Tie	0-0
2017	November 5	New York Red Bulls @ Toronto	NY Red Bulls	1-0
2017	November 2	Vancouver @ Seattle	Seattle	2-0
2017	October 30	Toronto @ New York Red Bulls	Toronto	2-1
2017	October 29	Seattle @ Vancouver	Tie	0-0
2017	October 25	San Jose @ Vancouver	Vancouver	5-0
2016	December 10	Seattle @ Toronto FC	Seattle	0-0 (5-4 PK)
2016	November 30	Montréal @ Toronto FC	Toronto FC	5-2 (ET)
2016	November 22	Toronto FC @ Montréal	Montréal	3-2
2016	November 6	Montréal @ New York Red Bulls	Montréal	2-1
2016	November 6	Toronto FC @ NYCFC	Toronto FC	5-0
2016	October 30	NYCFC @ Toronto FC	Toronto FC	2-0
2016	October 30	New York Red Bulls @ Montréal	Montréal	1-0
2016	October 27	Montréal @ D.C. United	Montréal	4-2
2016	October 26	Philadelphia @ Toronto FC	Toronto FC	3-1
2015	November 8	Portland @ Vancouver	Portland	2-0
2015	November 8	Montréal @ Columbus	Columbus	3-1 (ET)
2015	November 1	Vancouver @ Portland	Tie	0-0
2015	November 1	Columbus @ Montréal	Montréal	2-1
2015	October 29	Toronto FC @ Montréal	Montréal	3-0
2014	October 29	Vancouver @ Dallas	Dallas	2-1
2013	October 31	Montréal @ Houston	Houston	3-0
2012	November 1	Vancouver @ LA Galaxy	LA Galaxy	2-1

photo credit: Fox Sports 1 / MLS
Twitter capture: @TorontoFC

2020 MLS playoffs preview

The 2020 MLS playoffs will have the Eastern Conference Canadian teams. There is a slim chance that Toronto's first game will be against Montréal. The rivals met in the MLS playoffs in 2015 and 2016.

Toronto will play Nashville SC if that team beats Inter Miami CF in the late game tomorrow night. Otherwise, the Reds will play the Montréal vs. New England winner. The Philadelphia Union will take on the other Eastern play-in team.

The Impact will start out Friday night in Foxborough, MA at 6:30 pm on Fox Sports 1 and FOX Deportes in the United States with TSN and TVA Sports in Canada. Montréal is 4-5-1 on the road while the Revolution is 2-3-5 at home. New England has a 3-1 edge this season against the Impact. This is the first MLS playoff game for Montréal since 2016.

Toronto hosts its opponent on Tuesday at 6 pm in East Hartford, CT on TSN and TVA Sports in Canada as well as Fox Sports 1 and FOX Deportes in the United States.

Toronto FC is 7-2-1 at home in 2020.

Toronto, Montreal make 2020 MLS playoffs

Canadian MLS teams start an extended U.S. road trip

2020 MLS regular season returns with all-Canadian games

All 3 Canadian MLS teams advance to Round of 16 in Orlando

If Montréal gets past New England and draws Philadelphia, that game will be Tuesday at 8 pm in Philadelphia on ESPN and ESPN Deportes as well as TSN and TVA Sports.

The Eastern Conference semifinals are November 29 at 3 pm on ABC and 8 pm on ESPN.

MLS 2020 Orlando tournament preview

NHL, MLB, MLS latest sports leagues to suspend their regular season

2020 MLS preview

CanadianCrossing.com soccer coverage

MLS Canadian teams playoffs results

Year	Date	Teams	Winner	Score
2020	November 24	TBD @ Toronto	TBD	TBD
2020	November 20	Montréal @ New England	TBD	TBD
2019	November 10	Toronto @ Seattle	Seattle	3-1
2019	October 30	Toronto @ Atlanta	Toronto	2-1
2019	October 23	Toronto @ New York City FC	Toronto	2-1
2019	October 19	D.C. United @ Toronto	Toronto	5-1 (ET)
2017	December 9	Seattle @ Toronto	Toronto	2-0
2017	November 29	Columbus @ Toronto	Toronto	1-0
2017	November 21	Toronto @ Columbus	Tie	0-0
2017	November 5	New York Red Bulls @ Toronto	NY Red Bulls	1-0
2017	November 2	Vancouver @ Seattle	Seattle	2-0
2017	October 30	Toronto @ New York Red Bulls	Toronto	2-1
2017	October 29	Seattle @ Vancouver	Tie	0-0
2017	October 25	San Jose @ Vancouver	Vancouver	5-0
2016	December 10	Seattle @ Toronto FC	Seattle	0-0 (5-4 PK)
2016	November 30	Montréal @ Toronto FC	Toronto FC	5-2 (ET)
2016	November 22	Toronto FC @ Montréal	Montréal	3-2
2016	November 6	Montréal @ New York Red Bulls	Montréal	2-1
2016	November 6	Toronto FC @ NYCFC	Toronto FC	5-0
2016	October 30	NYCFC @ Toronto FC	Toronto FC	2-0
2016	October 30	New York Red Bulls @ Montréal	Montréal	1-0
2016	October 27	Montréal @ D.C. United	Montréal	4-2
2016	October 26	Philadelphia @ Toronto FC	Toronto FC	3-1
2015	November 8	Portland @ Vancouver	Portland	2-0
2015	November 8	Montréal @ Columbus	Columbus	3-1 (ET)
2015	November 1	Vancouver @ Portland	Tie	0-0
2015	November 1	Columbus @ Montréal	Montréal	2-1
2015	October 29	Toronto FC @ Montréal	Montréal	3-0
2014	October 29	Vancouver @ Dallas	Dallas	2-1
2013	October 31	Montréal @ Houston	Houston	3-0
2012	November 1	Vancouver @ LA Galaxy	LA Galaxy	2-1

photo credit: TSN; Fox Sports 1 / MLS