Sportsnet to broadcast upcoming Nutrilite Canadian Championship

The Canadian Soccer Association announced today that Sportsnet will broadcast the 2009 Nutrilite Canadian Championship live and coast-to-coast across Canada, featuring the Impact de Montréal, Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The live broadcast schedule features the 6 May match in Toronto, the 27 May and 2 June matches in Vancouver, and the final game on 18 June in Montréal.



“The Canadian Soccer Association is pleased to announce that Canadian soccer fans from coast-to-coast will be able to follow the 2009 Nutrilite Canadian Championship live on Sportsnet,” said CSA General Secretary Peter Montopoli. “Sportsnet is a committed partner in promoting the sport of soccer in Canada and a natural home for the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. The soccer expertise provided by Sportsnet will further enhance the Nutrilite Canadian Championship property.”



The live broadcast schedule will kick-off on 6 May in Toronto at 20:00 ET, the broadcasts from Vancouver on 27 May and 2 June will both kick-off at 19:30 PT, and the 18 June game from Montreal is a 20:00 ET kick-off. Along with the four live broadcasts, each match will also be replayed on Setanta Sports.



“Sportsnet welcomes the opportunity to expand our coverage of Canadian Soccer as we move forward with our partnership with the Canadian Soccer Association,” said Dave Akande, Vice-President of Content, Rogers Sportsnet. “The Nutrilite Canadian Championship will present Canadians with a compelling tournament of the country’s top professional soccer clubs.”



Of note, the final match in Montréal was rescheduled to 18 June to ensure a live broadcast for Canadian fans across the country. Montréal earned the right to host the last match after winning the inaugural 2008 Nutrilite Canadian Championship. The Canadian champion also qualifies for CONCACAF Champions League.



While the Impact plays its home games at Stade Saputo, Toronto FC plays at BMO Field and Whitecaps FC plays at Swangard Stadium.



All three teams play four games in the 2009 Nutrilite Canadian Championship – two home and two away against each opponent. Each team receives three points for a win and one point for a draw. The first-place team wins the 2009 Voyageurs Cup and advances to the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League. The CONCACAF champion advances to the annual FIFA Club World Cup.



2009 Broadcast Schedule / Programme des Matchs – Sportsnet

06.5.2009 – 20:00ET – BMO Field – Toronto FC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC

27.5.2009 – 19:30PT – Swangard Stadium – Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Impact de Montréal

02.6.2009 – 19:30PT – Swangard Stadium – Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Toronto FC

18.6.2009 – 20:00ET – Stade Saputo – Impact de Montréal – Toronto FC