The Major League Soccer (MLS) is a top-level professional soccer league that is recognized by both Canada and the United States Soccer Federation, the top tier of the game in the country. The league now has twenty-eight teams currently participating in the competition, 25 from the United States and 3 from Canada, and will most likely increase to 29 teams in 2023.
In this article, we shall provide you with everything you need to know about the Canadian Soccer teams in Major League Soccer, with a detailed history of each club being provided.
Toronto FC
Unsurprisingly, Toronto FC is based in Toronto and they were the first team from the Maple Leaf Country to enter the MLS as an expansion franchise in 2007. Toronto FC joined the Eastern Conference, which comprises 14 teams, upon entering the league. The club holds its home games at Toronto’s Bank of Montreal (Canada) Field, and can regularly boast crowds of up to 30,000 each time they take to the field.
The Reds, who were established in October 2005 and have won more than seven championships, are the most successful team in Canadian Championship history.
The team won the “Treble” in 2017 after winning the MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield, and Canadian Championship. Toronto FC supporters are among the most devoted and persevering in all of Major League Soccer.
Vamooooosssssssspic.twitter.com/7YsRQqRbcj
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) July 13, 2022
The TFC supporters showed up for every game despite the team starting the competition with nine straight seasons with more losses than wins. Given their amazing squad, Toronto FC is currently one of the best MLS clubs to bet on, consisting of some amazing odds and picks, and is predicted to rule the league for at least the next season or two.
Vancouver Whitecaps
The Vancouver Whitecaps are a Major League Soccer team from Canada that is based in the city of Vancouver. After Toronto FC joined in 2007, Vancouver Whitecaps FC became the second Canadian team to play in Major League Soccer. The Western Conference is where the Whitecaps compete currently, due to their location within the country, playing their home games at The BC Place Stadium.
The team has the distinction of becoming the first MLS team from Canada to advance to the MLS Cup playoff round.
The Whitecaps joined the MLS on March 18, 2009, and they made history by being the first team to advance twice in the MLS Cup playoffs. In 2015, the Whitecaps won one Canadian Championship and finished second in five other finals.
The Whitecaps have formed a triangular rivalry together with the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders that culminates in an annual mini-competition for the Cascadia Cup. Given how little there is to choose between these clubs, games between them are frequently exceedingly difficult to predict.
CF Montréal (Club de Foot Montréal)
Club de Foot Montréal, which has also been known as CF Montréal or Montreal Impact at some point by fans, is a soccer club that is based in Montreal. Being a part of the Eastern Conference, it was the third MLS franchise from Canada to join the MLS.
After being founded as the Montreal Impact in 2010, the team became known as CF Montréal in 2021 after changing its name. CF Montréal was the first Canadian team to make it to the CONCACAF Champions League finals in 2015; although that ended in defeat to Club America.
Conclusion
As can be seen, the three teams to represent Canada in the MLS have each managed to form a legacy for each other within the American soccer league, and it would not be a surprise if this played a role in helping the sport to gain further exposure outside of the U.S.
Of course, the Canadian Premier League also exists for fans of soccer in the Maple Leaf Country, but there is no denying that the teams involved in the MLS are those that feature some of the better players, thus providing a higher level of entertainment for those who enjoy watching the game be played.
If the three teams continue to have some success, and the MLS decides to expand further, perhaps we will see some of the teams from the Canadian Premier League join? Or maybe we will see even more club sides from north of the border decide to form and get involved?
- Read Also: Chelsea is interested in Robert Lewandowski
