TOP 5 STORYLINES in the 2023 Canadian Championship quarter-finals

The Canadian Championship quarter finals is set to kick off tomorrow with eight teams battling for a chance to lift the Voyageurs Cup and earn a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League.

This year's tournament promises to be an exciting one, with some of the top teams from each league competing for the chance to represent Canada on the international stage. Fans can expect to see fierce rivalries renewed and new ones formed, with plenty of drama and excitement along the way. Each team will be looking to make a statement as they aim to progress to the next round of the competition. It's set to be an exhilarating ride for fans of Canadian soccer.

TSS Rovers vs. Pacific FC: Can underdogs prevail?

TSS Rovers have made it to the quarterfinals of the Canadian Championship, and it's fair to say that not many people saw this coming. The team from Vancouver, who play in League1 British Columbia, stunned Valour FC, a team from the Canadian Premier League, in the preliminary rounds, winning the match 3-1. This was one of the biggest shocks in the history of the competition, and it has propelled TSS Rovers into the national spotlight.

The Rovers have been the underdogs throughout their journey in the competition so far, and they will continue to be the big underdog as they take on more established and better-funded teams in the quarter finals. However, they will take heart from their previous victory over Valour FC and will be looking to cause another upset.

It's a remarkable achievement for TSS Rovers to have made it this far in the Canadian Championship, and it's a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved with the club. They have defied the odds to reach the quarter finals, and they will be looking to continue their fairy tale run in the competition.

Of course, the odds will be stacked against them in the quarter finals as they take on Pacific FC, but that hasn't stopped TSS Rovers from dreaming big. They know that they will need to be at their very best to progress further in the competition, but they are not afraid of the challenge.

It's this spirit and determination that makes TSS Rovers such an exciting team to watch, and it's what makes the Canadian Championship such a special competition. The underdogs can sometimes come out on top, and it's those moments of triumph that make soccer such a beautiful game.

Forge FC vs. Atlético Ottawa: Rematch toward rivalry

One of the most anticipated matchups of the quarter finals is the rematch between Forge FC and Atlético Ottawa. The two teams met in the Canadian Premier League (CPL) finals in 2022, where Forge emerged victorious with a 2-0 score line.

Forge FC has been a dominant force in Canadian soccer in recent years, winning the CPL in 2019, 2020, and 2022 as well as winning the regular season in 2021. They are known for their strong defense, which has allowed them to concede just one goal in their last five games.

Meanwhile, Atlético Ottawa is a relatively new team, having been founded in 2020. They had a strong showing in the CPL finals in 2022, but ultimately fell short against Forge. However, they will be looking for redemption in this upcoming Canadian Championship matchup.

Both teams will be looking to advance to the semi-finals of the Canadian Championship, where they will face the winner of Toronto FC and CF Montréal, a thought matchup.

With the history between these two teams and the stakes of the tournament, the Forge FC vs Atlético Ottawa matchup is sure to be an exciting one. Fans of Canadian soccer will be eagerly watching to see who comes out on top and moves on to the next round of the competition.

Toronto FC vs. CF Montréal: Last-chance saloon?

The biggest match on paper of the quarter finals is Toronto taking on Montreal in what promises to be an exciting match between two of the three remaining MLS teams in the competition.

Toronto FC has had a tough start to the 2023 MLS season, currently sitting in 13th place in the Eastern Conference, but they will be hoping to turn their fortunes around in the Canadian Championship. The team has a rich history in the competition, having won it eight times since its inception in 2008, including a three-year streak from 2016 to 2018. They will be looking to add to their trophy cabinet with another victory in this year's competition.

On the other hand, CF Montréal is currently sitting in 11th place in the Eastern Conference and have also had a tough start to the MLS season but a win in the Canadian Championship could change their entire dynamic. The team has won the competition five times before, most recently in 2021.

Both teams have some talented players in their ranks, including Toronto FC's Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi and CF Montréal's Victor Wanyama and Chinonso Offor. It will be interesting to see how both teams line up and which players will be chosen to start in this crucial quarter-final clash.

With only three MLS teams left in the competition, the stakes are high for Toronto FC and CF Montréal. The winner of this match will advance to the semi-finals and be one step closer to lifting the Canadian Championship trophy. Fans of both teams have high expectations and will be eagerly anticipating this exciting clash, which promises to be a highlight of the Canadian soccer calendar.

York United vs. Whitecaps FC: CPL vs. MLS

The fixture is set to take place at the York Lions Stadium and will be a clash between the Canadian Premier League and Major League Soccer.

York United FC have had a bad start to their CPL campaign, sitting in seventh place in the league standings with one win. They’ll be looking to go all out in the Canadian Championship. Meanwhile, the Whitecaps are a seasoned team in this competition, having won the trophy twice and being runners-up on seven occasions.

The Whitecaps have been in good form this season, currently sitting in seventh place in the Western Conference of MLS and have a wealth of experience within their squad. Despite this, they will not underestimate their opponents as York United FC have been known to cause upsets in the past.

The two sides have met before in this competition, with Vancouver winning 2-1 in last years semi-finals. However, York United FC will be hoping to put on a better performance this time around and cause an upset against the reigning champions.

This game promises to be a fascinating encounter, with both teams looking to progress to the semi-finals of the competition. York United FC will have the backing of their home crowd, while the Whitecaps will look to draw on their experience to secure a win on the road.

Regardless of the outcome, this match-up between CPL and MLS sides highlights the growth of Canadian soccer and the increasing competitiveness of the Canadian Championship. It will be a great opportunity for fans to witness the best of Canadian soccer and enjoy an exciting game between two talented teams.

Can a CPL team WIN in 2023?

The CPL teams have been making waves in the 2023 Canadian Championship, with four of them reaching the quarter finals. Forge FC, Atlético Ottawa, Pacific FC, and York United have all advanced, and their performances have raised an important question: can a CPL team win the Canadian Championship this year?

While the MLS teams have historically dominated the competition, the CPL teams have shown that they are not to be underestimated. Forge FC, in particular, has had a successful run in the tournament, having been the only CPL to reach the finals in 2020, losing to Toronto FC. With a strong squad and an experienced coach in Bobby Smyrniotis, Forge FC could be the dark horse to win it all once again.

Atlético Ottawa, who finished runners-up in the CPL in 2022, have also been impressive in the Canadian Championship. They defeated HFX Wanderers FC to reach the quarter finals and will face their CPL rivals, Forge FC, in what promises to be an exciting match-up.

Pacific FC and York United have also shown they have what it takes to go all the way. Pacific FC, currently sitting second of the CPL standings and will will face TSS Rovers, who have been the underdogs of the tournament after defeating Valour FC in the preliminary rounds.

York United, on the other hand, had a tough match-up against Cavalry FC, but managed to come out on top with a 1-0 win. They will now face the Vancouver Whitecaps, who are the reigning champions and have won the competition twice in their history.

The road to the final will not be easy for any of these teams, but the CPL teams have shown that they have the talent and determination to go all the way. A CPL team has never won the Canadian Championship before, but this year could be the year that history is made.

The upcoming quarter finals will be crucial in determining which teams will advance to the semi-finals and have a chance at lifting the trophy. With the quality of players and coaches on display, the Canadian Championship promises to be an exciting competition that showcases an exciting and unpredictable tournament.