2010 Nutrilite Canadian Championship schedule announced

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 28 April to 2 June. The 2010 winner will advance to represent Canada in the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League season.



To watch video clips from today’s press conference

click here.



“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 28 April match features Toronto FC against the Impact; the 2 June 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 5 May in Vancouver, Impact vs. Toronto FC on 12 May in Montréal, Whitecaps FC vs. Toronto FC on 19 May in Vancouver, and Impact vs. Whitecaps FC on 26 May 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 Match Schedule

28.04.2010 – 20.00 ET / 17.00 PT – BMO Field – Toronto FC – Impact Montréal

05.05.2010 – 22.00 ET / 19.00 PT – Swangard Stadium – Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Impact Montréal

12.05.2010 – 20.00 ET / 17.00 PT – Stade Saputo – Impact Montréal – Toronto FC

19.05.2010 – 22.00 ET / 19.00 PT – Swangard Stadium – Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Toronto FC

26.05.2010 – 20.00 ET / 17.00 PT – Stade Saputo – Impact Montréal – Vancouver Whitecaps FC

02.06.2010 – 20.00 ET / 17.00 PT – BMO Field – Toronto FC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC