2023 Canadian Soccer League season

The regular season began in late May 2023 with seven teams vying for the league title and a playoff berth.{{Cite web |date=31 May 2023 |title=Футболіст із Закарпаття забив гол у дебютному матчі чемпіонату Канади |trans-title=A football player from Transcarpathia scored a goal in the debut match of the Canadian championship |url=https://sport.rayon.in.ua/news/603307-futbolist-iz-zakarpattya-zabiv-gol-u-debyutnomu-matchi-chempionatu-kanadi/amp |access-date=22 February 2024 |website=sport.rayon.in.ua |language=uk}}{{Cite web |date=30 June 2023 |title=Василь Пиняшко забиває за "Динамо" - Ужгородський футболіст відзначився у першому турі канадської футбольної ліги за свій новий клуб із Торонто |trans-title=Vasyl Pynashko scores for "Dynamo" - The Uzhhorod football player excelled in the first round of the Canadian Football League for his new club from Toronto |url=http://lobda.at.ua/news/vasil_pinjashko_zabivae_za_dinamo/2023-05-30-9482 |access-date=20 February 2024 |website=lobda.at.ua |language=uk}} It became evident early on that the regular season title would be primarily contested between Scarborough SC and the Serbian White Eagles.{{Cite web |date=19 July 2023 |title=Брежански мениджър смени треньора и подсили „Скарбъро“ с трио от елита на Ямайка |trans-title=Brezhanski manager replaced the coach and strengthened Scarborough with a trio of Jamaica's elite |url=https://struma.bg/%d0%b1%d1%80%d0%b5%d0%b6%d0%b0%d0%bd%d1%81%d0%ba%d0%b8-%d0%bc%d0%b5%d0%bd%d0%b8%d0%b4%d0%b6%d1%8a%d1%80-%d1%81%d0%bc%d0%b5%d0%bd%d0%b8-%d1%82%d1%80%d0%b5%d0%bd%d1%8c%d0%be%d1%80%d0%b0-%d0%b8-%d0%bf/ |access-date=16 August 2023 |website=Вестник СТРУМА |language=bg-BG}}{{Cite web |date=2 August 2023 |title=Футболен мениджър от Брежани с нова победа в Торонто |trans-title=Football manager from Brezani with another victory in Toronto |url=https://struma.bg/%d1%84%d1%83%d1%82%d0%b1%d0%be%d0%bb%d0%b5%d0%bd-%d0%bc%d0%b5%d0%bd%d0%b8%d0%b4%d0%b6%d1%8a%d1%80-%d0%be%d1%82-%d0%b1%d1%80%d0%b5%d0%b6%d0%b0%d0%bd%d0%b8-%d1%81-%d0%bd%d0%be%d0%b2%d0%b0-%d0%bf%d0%be/ |access-date=5 March 2024 |website=Вестник СТРУМА |language=bg-BG}} The Serbs started the campaign in a winning fashion by initially producing a three-game undefeated streak until succumbing to Hamilton City in the early stages of the competition. Despite the loss, the defending divisional champions would later regain the lead in the standings from Scarborough.{{Cite web |date=21 August 2023 |title=Брежанският мениджър на „Скарбъро“ К. Димитров: Искат да ни смачкат, но в плейофите ще докажем кой е №1 |trans-title=Scarborough's Brezhan manager K. Dimitrov: They want to crush us, but in the playoffs we will prove who is #1 |url=https://struma.bg/%d0%b1%d1%80%d0%b5%d0%b6%d0%b0%d0%bd%d1%81%d0%ba%d0%b8%d1%8f%d1%82-%d0%bc%d0%b5%d0%bd%d0%b8%d0%b4%d0%b6%d1%8a%d1%80-%d0%bd%d0%b0-%d1%81%d0%ba%d0%b0%d1%80%d0%b1%d1%8a%d1%80%d0%be/ |access-date=5 March 2024 |website=Вестник СТРУМА |language=bg-BG}}

On the Scarborough front, the team also had an impressive run in the early stages. The eastern Toronto side also managed an undefeated run, even usurping the top position from Serbia, when the original result of a controversial loss to debutant Dynamo Toronto was reversed in Scarborough's favor. The club benefited from a victory over the Serbs in their first encounter.{{Cite web |date=22 July 2023 |title=„Скарбъро“ на К. Димитров-Брежанеца взе дербито на върха срещу „Сръбските бели орли“ |trans-title=K. Dimitrov - Brezhanetsa's Scarborough took the summit derby against the Serbian White Eagles |url=https://struma.bg/%d1%81%d0%ba%d0%b0%d1%80%d0%b1%d1%8a%d1%80%d0%be-%d0%bd%d0%b0-%d0%ba-%d0%b4%d0%b8%d0%bc%d0%b8%d1%82%d1%80%d0%be%d0%b2-%d0%b1%d1%80%d0%b5%d0%b6%d0%b0%d0%bd%d0%b5%d1%86%d0%b0-%d0%b2/ |access-date=5 March 2024 |website=Вестник СТРУМА |language=bg-BG}} However, the lead was only temporary as the Serbs would regain leadership in the standings on a technicality. This technicality stemmed from their original match, where Scarborough failed to provide the proper documents regarding an acquired import. Shortly after, the disciplinary committee reversed the decision in Serbia's favor.

Following the controversial match, the situation would remain the same throughout the season, with the White Eagles holding the lead and Scarborough trailing behind.{{Cite web |date=2 September 2023 |title=Анулирана победа и непланирана загуба от новак отдалечиха К. Димитров-Брежанеца и хората му от лидерската позиция в Канада |trans-title=An annulled victory and an unplanned loss by a rookie kept K. Dimitrov-Brezhanetsa and his men from the leadership position in Canada |url=https://struma.bg/%d0%b0%d0%bd%d1%83%d0%bb%d0%b8%d1%80%d0%b0%d0%bd%d0%b0-%d0%bf%d0%be%d0%b1%d0%b5%d0%b4%d0%b0-%d0%b8-%d0%bd%d0%b5%d0%bf%d0%bb%d0%b0%d0%bd%d0%b8%d1%80%d0%b0%d0%bd%d0%b0-%d0%b7%d0%b0%d0%b3%d1%83%d0%b1/ |access-date=5 March 2024 |website=Вестник СТРУМА |language=bg-BG}} Ultimately, the regular season title would be decided in the final match.{{Cite web |date=13 September 2023 |title=К. Димитров-Брежанеца изведе „Скарбъро“ до най-голямата победа в Канада |trans-title=K. Dimitrov-Brezhanetsa led Scarborough to the biggest victory in Canada |url=https://struma.bg/%d0%ba-%d0%b4%d0%b8%d0%bc%d0%b8%d1%82%d1%80%d0%be%d0%b2-%d0%b1%d1%80%d0%b5%d0%b6%d0%b0%d0%bd%d0%b5%d1%86%d0%b0-%d0%b8%d0%b7%d0%b2%d0%b5%d0%b4%d0%b5-%d1%81%d0%ba%d0%b0%d1%80%d0%b1%d1%8a%d1%80/ |access-date=5 March 2024 |website=Вестник СТРУМА |language=bg-BG}} Before the final game, Serbia had a two-point advantage over Scarborough and needed only a victory or a draw to secure the title. In the final week of the competition, Scarborough defeated the western Toronto side and claimed their second divisional title. Monetary issues among member clubs were the reason for the cancellation of the postseason, as some members failed to fulfill their financial dues to the league.

League membership increased to seven clubs with the addition of three expansion clubs.{{Cite web |last=Adamson |first=Stan |date=9 May 2023 |title=Enio Perruzza Tribute Will Kickoff CSL Season |url=https://canadiansoccerleague.ca/enio-perruzza-tribute-will-kickoff-csl-season/ |access-date=11 May 2023 |website=Canadian Soccer League |language=en-US}} The expansion sides included Dynamo Toronto FC, Ooty Black Pearl FC, and Weston United FC. The acceptance of Dynamo Toronto marked the league's return to the city of Brampton in the Greater Toronto Area.{{Cite web |last=Adamson |first=Stan |date=24 April 2023 |title=FC Dynamo Toronto in CSL |url=https://canadiansoccerleague.ca/fc-dynamo-toronto/ |access-date=11 May 2023 |website=Canadian Soccer League |language=en-US}} Ooty Black Pearl and Weston United are both ethnic association clubs representing the Indian and Brazilian communities in the Greater Toronto Area.{{Cite web |last=Adamson |first=Stan |date=6 May 2023 |title=Ooty Black Pearl FC has plenty to offer |url=https://canadiansoccerleague.ca/ooty-black-pearl-fc-has-pplenty-to-offer/ |access-date=11 May 2023 |website=Canadian Soccer League |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Adamson |first=Stan |date=20 March 2023 |title=Weston United FC brings a Brazilian touch |url=https://canadiansoccerleague.ca/weston-united-fc-brings-a-brazilian-touch/ |access-date=11 May 2023 |website=Canadian Soccer League |language=en-US}} The two departing clubs were defending champions FC Continentals, which requested a year-long hiatus, and York Region Shooters.

Hamilton City became a single entity once more, as they previously fielded a hybrid team during the COVID-19 pandemic. Brantford Galaxy was originally scheduled to compete but withdrew just before the start of the season.{{Cite web |last=Adamson |first=Stan |date=22 May 2023 |title=CSL Set for Regular Season Kickoff |url=https://canadiansoccerleague.ca/csl-set-for-regular-season-kickoff/ |access-date=9 June 2023 |website=Canadian Soccer League |language=en-US}}

The league commenced with the Royal CSL Cup, a tribute match in honor of former league announcer Enio Perruzza, who died in 2021.{{Cite web |last=Vujcic |first=Djuradj |date=24 May 2023 |title=SWE Finish Second in First Ever Royal CSL Cup |url=https://serbianwhiteeagles.ca/en/2023/05/swe-finish-second-in-first-ever-royal-csl-cup/ |access-date=12 June 2023 |website=serbianwhiteagles.ca |language=en}} All league matches were played in Mississauga, a suburb of Toronto, with the first half played at Mattamy Sports Park and the remainder at the Paramount Centre fields.

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL

|show_limit=8

|team4=DYN |team5=HAM |team7=OOT |team1=SCA |team2=SWE |team3=FAL |team6=WES

|win_DYN=6 |loss_DYN=5 |draw_DYN=1 |gf_DYN=33 |ga_DYN=22 |name_DYN=Dynamo Toronto FC

|win_HAM=5 |loss_HAM=6 |draw_HAM=1 |gf_HAM=20 |ga_HAM=33 |name_HAM=Hamilton City

|win_OOT=0 |loss_OOT=10|draw_OOT=2 |gf_OOT=14 |ga_OOT=50 |name_OOT=Ooty Black Pearl

|win_SCA=9 |loss_SCA=2 |draw_SCA=1 |gf_SCA=37 |ga_SCA=9 |name_SCA=Scarborough SC|status_SCA=X

|win_SWE=9 |loss_SWE=3 |draw_SWE=0 |gf_SWE=42 |ga_SWE=18 |name_SWE=Serbian White Eagles

|win_FAL=8 |loss_FAL=3 |draw_FAL=1 |gf_FAL=32 |ga_FAL=9 |name_FAL=Toronto Falcons

|win_WES=1 |loss_WES=9 |draw_WES=2 |gf_WES=12 |ga_WES=49 |name_WES=Weston United FC

|status_text_X=Regular season champion

|res_col_header=Q

|col_SF=green1|text_SF=Playoff semifinals

|col_QF=green2|text_QF=Playoff quarterfinals

|result1=SF|result2=SF|result3=QF|result4=QF|result5=QF|result6=QF

|update=complete |source=[https://canadiansoccerleague.ca/csl-standings-history/ Canadian Soccer League]

|class_rules=1) points; 2) total wins; 3) head-to-head points; 4) goal differential; 5) most goals

}}

== Royal CSL Cup ==

The Royal CSL Cup was a tribute match in honor of former league announcer Enio Perruzza, who died in 2021.

{{Football box collapsible

|date= May 13, 2023

|time= 16:00

|team1= Serbian White Eagles

|score= 0–0

|aet= yes

|report=[https://serbianwhiteeagles.ca/en/2023/05/swe-finish-second-in-first-ever-royal-csl-cup/ Report]

|team2= Toronto Falcons

|goals1=

|goals2=

|stadium= Mattamy Sports Park

|location= Mississauga, Ontario

|attendance=

|referee=

|penaltyscore = 4–5

}}

{{Cnote2 Begin|liststyle=upper-alpha}}

{{Cnote2|a|The playoffs did not take place due to financial and venue considerations.{{Cite web |last=|first=|date=19 September 2023 |title=Second Place for Serbian White Eagles |url=https://serbianwhiteeagles.ca/en/2023/09/second-place-for-serbian-white-eagles/ |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=serbianwhiteagles.ca |language=en}}

}}

{{Cnote2 end}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Canadian Soccer League}}

{{2023 in Canadian soccer}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Canadian Soccer League}}

2023

Category:2023 in Canadian soccer leagues

Category:2023 domestic association football leagues