The Canadian Professional Soccer League (CPSL)
The league was formed as a result of an study completed in 1996 that identified professional soccer as a major priority and that it should be developed from the bottom up with strong links to a now well established and identifiable grass roots club program. The Canadian Professional Soccer League (CPSL) was launched in 1997 with the first playing season in 1998. The founding eight included teams from the Canadian National Soccer League (CNSL) with a history going back to 1922 and the era of the National Soccer League (NSL). New teams from Ontario were added until today there are 11 teams in membership. The CPSL season runs from May through to October with five teams in an Eastern Conference and six teams in the Western Conference. The major competitions are the Conference titles leading to the Rogers Cup Final in October for the CPSL championship and the league will again this year operate its Open Canada Cup competition, a knockout competition starting with the Preliminary Round in May through to the final in September.

Mission Statement
The Canadian Professional Soccer League (CPSL) promotes, fosters and develops professional soccer in Canada. Its mandate is to organize, regulate, manage and promote a professional league for the benefit of its member teams and to provide playoff, exhibition including international matches, and tournament games as required. To promote the development of talented youth players desirous of playing at the professional level by providing opportunities for playing time in the CPSL. To market and promote such players at national and international levels.