CSA & Whitecaps FC
The Canadian Soccer Association and Rogers Sportsnet have announced the broadcast schedule for the 2010 Nutrilite Canadian Championship. All six matches featuring Montreal Impact, Toronto FC, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC will be broadcast on Rogers Sportsnet over six consecutive Wednesday nights from April 28 to June 2.
Now in its third year, the Nutrilite Canadian Championship is Canada's professional club championship. The champion of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship advances to the confederation championship - the 24-club CONCACAF Champions League - which will also be in its third year this coming 2010-11 season. The winner of the CONCACAF Champions League then moves on to the FIFA Club World Cup.
"The Nutrilite Canadian Championship is the premier soccer championship in Canada featuring Impact Montréal, Toronto FC, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC," said Canadian Soccer Association general secretary Peter Montopoli. "We are thrilled that Rogers Sportsnet will be the destination for fans across the country to view all six matches of the 2010 Nutrilite Canadian Championship."
"It's with great pleasure to continue our partnership with the Canadian Soccer Association and the commitment to promoting the sport of soccer in Canada," said Dave Akande, vice president of content, Rogers Sportsnet. "Our viewers were treated to a great tournament last year and we expect nothing less featuring the country's top professional soccer clubs."
Rogers Sportsnet will broadcast all six matches, with five of the six shown live on Sportsnet East and Sportsnet West. The opening match is April 28 featuring the two previous winners: 2009 champions Toronto FC and 2008 champions Montreal Impact at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario. The championship then visits Vancouver, BC, for the May 5 match featuring Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the Impact (7:30 p.m. PT) before moving back east to Montréal, Quebec, for the May 12 match featuring the Impact and Toronto FC (5 p.m. PT).
On May 19, the Whitecaps versus Toronto FC match from Vancouver will be broadcast at 8 p.m. PT on a 30-minute tape delay following the 7:30 p.m. PT kickoff. The championship then returns to Montréal for the May 26 match between the Impact and Whitecaps (5 p.m. PT). The final match of the tournament is June 2 between Toronto FC and the Whitecaps in Toronto (5 p.m. PT).
After six weeks of competition, the club with the most points will win the Voyageurs Cup as Canada's national champion. In all, each team will play four matches - two at home and two on the road. Just last year, the three professional clubs played in front of an average capacity of 92% at Stade Saputo (Montréal), BMO Field (Toronto), and Swangard Stadium (Vancouver).
2010 Nutrilite Canadian Championship - Broadcast Times on Rogers Sportsnet
April 28 - 5 p.m. PT - BMO Field - Toronto FC - Montréal Impact
May 5 - 7:30 p.m. PT - Swangard Stadium - Vancouver Whitecaps FC - Montréal Impact
May 12 - 5 p.m. PT - Stade Saputo - Montréal Impact - Toronto FC
May 19 - 8 p.m. PT - Swangard Stadium - Vancouver Whitecaps FC - Toronto FC (30-minute tape delay; 7:30 p.m. kickoff)
May 26 - 5 p.m. PT - Stade Saputo - Montréal Impact - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
June 2 – 5 p.m. PT - BMO Field - Toronto FC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
