Nutrilite Canadian Championship Schedule Released

[Cashcleaner]

I know this was the rumoured format for a while, but I was really hoping the powers that be would change their minds on this and keep the home-away format. this means we probably won't play the Limp Act this year.

I agree. I'm not a big fan of the new changes either and wish we just continued with the previous round-robin scheme and added Edmonton to that. Playing the new club (Edmonton) is cool and all, but not getting to play Montreal is shitty IMO.

[Jeffro]

In Europe it's not done in the final, but both the UEFA CL and the FA Cup use it in the lower stages.

Um, yeah, that's my point.

[ManUtd4ever]

I agree. I'm not a big fan of the new changes either and wish we just continued with the previous round-robin scheme and added Edmonton to that. Playing the new club (Edmonton) is cool and all, but not getting to play Montreal is shitty IMO.

Agreed...

[Carts]

I HATED the round robin format for a tornament this small - so I like the change...

I wish it was a one-game final instead of a 2-game aggregate...

If we drop any points to Edmonton, hell hath nothing on what will go on here LOL

[rocker]

I don't have a preference either way.... as long as we win it.

What I find interesting is that all 4 teams are in great states of flux right now.

Edmonton and TFC had coaching changes.
Vancouver is up to a new league, with a very different roster than last year... TFC dumped a shitload of players (but has more players coming back than Vancouver). Edmonton has a skeleton roster and is playing in a formal league for the first time. Montreal probably is probably the most stable, but even they made a lot of roster changes and are playing in a newly configured league as well, thinking about moving up to MLS.

I think it's a bit of a crapshoot this year. Vancouver would seem to have the advantage over Montreal, but I wonder if Tater Tots will have them gelled by the time they play Montreal. Montreal's core has played together a lot. Toronto has the talent advantage over Edmonton and Montreal but maybe not Vancouver, but Vancouver needs to find chemistry in a hurry (and a striker).

[werewolf]

I prefer this format, it is more fitting for a Cup competition. Though there are only a few teams at the moment, it sets a good precedence for the future. No longer will there be issues of losing the title to a team that never beat you (2008), or relying on victories by other teams in other matches (2009). Each team is responsible for their own fate.

[Canuck82]

Has there been any word on TV coverage for this? On the plus side, the opening round lends itself nicely to doubleheader coverage - Montreal early game/Edmonton last game in week one, and Toronto early, Vancouver late in week two.

Sportsnet has done the coverage of the NCC in the past - I wonder if they will do it this year?

[TOBOR !]

will the 'away goals rule' be in effect ?

Also, since the 'higher ranked' team in the final gets choice of where to play the first game, why not just have the final as a one-off affair at the highest ranked finalist's field ?

done, and done.

[Oldtimer]

^ The away goals rule applies in the NCC and also in the CCL. Just not in MLS.

[Roogsy]

2-legged is more fair, and is done world-wide, except so much in North America.

2 legged finals are not done world-wide. There are places in this world that do them, but they are few and far between. Most places do a single-game final and frankly, that is what I would prefer. There is an excitement to a final game that is difficult to generate for a two-legged system. And as long as it's in a neutral venue, it's pretty fair.

[Sally Mack]

Anyone know which games are included in which half-season pack?

[SuperTCP]

I hope Montreal beat the Whitecaps. Looking forward to a TFC Road Trip to montreal

[Rudi]

So, there goes the idea of linking a Nutrilite final with Canada Day. The Canada Day weekend now sees both Vancouver and Toronto idle - what genius scheduled their match for June 29th when July 1-2 was open for both teams?

The NCC needs to be completed by early June for CONCACAF purposes.

As for the scheduling of TFC vs. Vancouver on June 29, that was likely a TSN decision, as they are busy with CFL on Canada Day.

[Fort York Redcoat]

^There we go. The First time TSN chooses CFL over us. I'm counting.

[phonzo]

they could stick us on TSN2 ...

and I guess I should remind folks....cowgirls

[Stouffville_RPB]

Also, since the 'higher ranked' team in the final gets choice of where to play the first game, why not just have the final as a one-off affair at the highest ranked finalist's field ?

I'm fairly certain that the reason this format was choosen was because it keeps the NCC at 6 games (the same as last year). Going to a single game final would mean one less game, one less game to sell to TV, fans and advertisers.

[boban]

I agree. I'm not a big fan of the new changes either and wish we just continued with the previous round-robin scheme and added Edmonton to that. Playing the new club (Edmonton) is cool and all, but not getting to play Montreal is shitty IMO.

[Brooker]

Damnit I wanted to cheer for Edmonton atleast once...