The Canadian Soccer Association announced on Wednesday that Rogers Sportsnet will once again be the national broadcast partner of the 2012 Amway Canadian Championship. All six matches featuring Montreal Impact, Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and FC Edmonton will be broadcast live on Sportsnet over four Wednesday nights from May 2 to 23.
“The Canadian Soccer Association is thrilled to see Rogers Sportsnet bring the Amway Canadian Championship to soccer fans across the country once again,” said Peter Montopoli, Canadian Soccer Association’s General Secretary. “ With FC Edmonton coming off a great 2011 season, Montreal Impact entering its first MLS season, Vancouver Whitecaps FC showing promising early results and Toronto FC defending their title again this year, the 2012 Championship will be destination viewing for Canadian soccer fans!”
In its fifth year, the Amway Canadian Championship (previously known as the Nutrilite Canadian Championship) is Canada's professional club championship. The champion of the Amway Canadian Championship advances to the confederation championship, the 24-team CONCACAF Champions League. Toronto FC, winners of the 2011 Canadian Championship, will play the second leg of its CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal against the LA Galaxy this Wednesday, March 14, with hopes of moving on to the next stage and potentially representing the confederation in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The 2012 Amway Canadian Championship will open on Wednesday, May 2, with Montreal Impact hosting Toronto FC at Olympic Stadium (kick off at 5 p.m. PT) and FC Edmonton hosting Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Commonwealth Stadium (kick off at 7 p.m. PT).
The semi-final stage of the Championship resumes one week later on Wednesday, May 9, as the scene switches to Toronto (kick off at 5 p.m. PT) and Vancouver (kick off at 8 p.m. PT) respectively.
The first and second leg of the Championship Final will be played on May 16 and May 23 respectively with the highest seeded team in the final determining if it will open at home or away.
In addition to the coverage provided by Sportsnet, this year’s Championship matches featuring Montreal Impact will be available in French on TVA Sports. Schedule details will be confirmed at a later date.
Since 2008, Canada's top professional teams have played in the Canadian Championship for the Voyageurs Cup. The Impact won the inaugural championship in 2008 while Toronto FC won championships in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
