VANCOUVER, BC – The schedule is set for the 2014 Amway Canadian Championship (ACC), a national competition that features each of Canada's professional soccer clubs.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC will open the competition against Toronto FC in the first leg of the semifinal on May 7, 2014 at BMO Field, before hosting the Southern Ontario outfit in the second leg on May 14, 2014 at BC Place. Tickets for Amway Canadian Championship matches at BC Place are included in Whitecaps FC season ticket packages. Single match tickets will be available for purchase in the new year.
For the first time ever, the Canadian Championship will feature five teams: Whitecaps FC, Toronto FC, Montreal Impact, FC Edmonton, and newcomer Ottawa Fury FC, who will make their North American Soccer League debut in 2014. They will all vie for the honour to lift the Voyageurs Cup and represent Canada in the 2014-15 edition of CONCACAF Champions League.
Canada's three Major League Soccer clubs are seeded based on the league's 2013 regular season standings. The Impact, who finished with 49 points, will enter the tournament as the top seed, followed by Vancouver (48 points) and Toronto FC (29 points).
FC Edmonton and Fury FC will play a preliminary two-leg series to determine the fourth-place seed. The winner will then meet the defending Canadian champion Impact, who defeated Vancouver on aggregate in the 2013 ACC final, in the semifinal.
2014 Amway Canadian Championship seeding
1. Montreal Impact
2. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
3. Toronto FC
4. Winner of Ottawa Fury FC/FC Edmonton
As per previous years, the semifinal stage of the competition is played on a home and away knockout format in which the highest ranked team will play at home in the second leg. The team which scores the greater aggregate of goals in the two matches qualifies for the final.
The final will also be played on a home and away basis (two legs). The highest seeded team qualified for the final has the option of deciding which leg it plays at home. Once again, the team that comes on top on aggregate for the two matches is declared champion and earns the right to represent Canada in the 2014-2015 CONCACAF Champions League.
This year’s tournament could also feature some history, as Whitecaps FC striker Camilo Sanvezzo is currently tied with former Toronto FC midfielder and Canadian international Dwayne De Rosario for the all-time lead in Amway Canadian Championship goals scored with four apiece.
2014 Amway Canadian Championship schedule
(home team listed first)
PRELIMINARY ROUND
First leg - April 23, 2014: Ottawa Fury FC vs. FC Edmonton
Second leg - April 30, 2014: FC Edmonton vs. Ottawa Fury FC
SEMIFINAL 1
First leg - May 7, 2014: Ottawa Fury FC/FC Edmonton vs. Montreal Impact
Second leg - May 14, 2014: Montreal Impact vs. Ottawa Fury FC/FC Edmonton
SEMIFINAL 2
First leg - May 7, 2014: Toronto FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Second leg - May 14, 2014: Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Toronto FC
FINAL
First leg - May 28, 2014
Second leg - June 4, 2014
this game will be played on May 27 if Vancouver Whitecaps FC plays at home
Once again this year, the Amway Canadian Championship will be broadcast on Sportsnet.
Toronto FC have won the most titles through the first six editions of the Amway Canadian Championship, having won four championships in a row from 2009 to 2012. The Impact, who won the inaugural competition in 2008, have also claimed two titles. The 'Caps, meanwhile, have been the runners-up in five straight years.
About the Amway Canadian Championship
The 2014 Amway Canadian Championship features Canada’s five professional clubs taking part in a two-legged home-and-away three-round competition. The winning club will lift the Voyageurs Cup and earn the right to represent Canada in 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League. Follow the 2014 Amway Canadian Championship on Twitter by using #canChamp. For more details visit canadasoccer.com/championship.
Whitecaps FC 2014 season tickets start at just $349, subject to applicable fees. The 'Caps are also offering a flexible range of ticket products, including half-season tickets ($244), 5-packs ($149), student season tickets ($199), and a youth soccer half-season ticket ($100). For more information on all Whitecaps FC ticket options, call 604.669.9283 ext. 2 or visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
