CSL KICKOFF SET FOR END OF MAY

PICTURE: The CSL is encouraging its players to follow the government moratorium on gatherings and train on their own until it is announced as being safe to do otherwise.

With uncertainly the order of the day in Canada and world-wide due to the coronavirus epidemic it has not been possible to provide a meaningful kickoff date for the Canadian Soccer League 2020 season.

The league has, however, now announced a start to the season of late May with Friday, May 29 as a tentative opening day for regular season games.  The schedule will go to September, with playoffs and the Championship Day to the end of October.

CSL administrator Pino Jazbec has explained that a tentative schedule is under preparation for the late May kickoff. “We will have something to be guided by and will make any adjustments that may be necessary as dictated by the circumstances of the pandemic,” he explained over the March 28 weekend.

Canada Soccer has suspended all sanctioned soccer games in Canada until further notice, which at the professional level includes all matches except the CSL and Canada’s three teams in Major League Soccer which is governed by the U.S.-based league. MLS kicked off on February 29 and games have been postponed since March 7.

The CSL is encouraging its players to follow the government moratorium on gatherings and train on their own until it is announced as being safe to do otherwise. “The CSL considers the safety of its players, coaches and others involved in preparation for the new season of the utmost importance and urge its members to follow closely the requirements of the government and public health agencies at all times,” said Jazbec.

Further new season bulletins and updates will be issued from time to time.