Canadian Soccer Association announced on Thursday that Amway Canada will return as the title sponsor of the Canadian Championship (formerly the Nutrilite Canadian Championship), while also announcing the tournament schedule featuring Vancouver Whitecaps FC against North American Soccer League outfit FC Edmonton in one semifinal, and Toronto FC versus Montreal Impact in the other semi.
The 2012 Amway Canadian Championship (ACC) will again feature a four-team format that will see teams take part in a two-legged home-and-away semifinal, with the winners advancing to a two-legged home-and-away final to determine which club will lift the Voyageurs Cup and earn the right to represent Canada in the 2012-13 CONCACAF Champions League.
With clubs being seeded based on their 2011 league results in Major League Soccer (MLS) and the North American Soccer League (NASL) respectively, the 2012 Amway Canadian Championship will feature a pair of regional rivalries in the initial semifinal stage.
Western Canadian foes Vancouver Whitecaps FC and FC Edmonton will square off for the first time over two legs on May 2 and 9, while three-time defending champions Toronto FC do battle against eastern Canadian rivals Montreal Impact on the same dates in the competition's other semifinal.
The winners of each semifinal series will then contest the Amway Canadian Championship final over two matches on May 16 and 23.
The highest-seeded team in the ACC final will determine whether it plays home or away first.
The 2012 Amway Canadian Championship will serve as the qualification competition for the 2012-13 CONACAF Champions League, which in turn determines the confederation’s representative at the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup.
2012 Amway Canadian Championship schedule
SEMIFINALS
May 2
Montreal Impact v Toronto FC - in Montreal
FC Edmonton v Vancouver Whitecaps FC - in Edmonton
May 9
Toronto FC v Montreal Impact - in Toronto
Vancouver Whitecaps FC v FC Edmonton - in Vancouver
FINAL
May 16
Winner of semifinal 1 v winner of semifinal 2 – Location TBD
May 23
Winner of semifinal 2 v winner of semifinal 1 – Location TBD
