Canadian Soccer League (1987 - 1992 )

High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The original Canadian Soccer League was a semi-professional football that was operated in Canada during the summer from 1987 and 1992. It was a nationwide league as it included franchises from all parts of the country. The CSL was formed in the aftermath of Canada's participation in the 1986 World Cup finals tournament held in Mexico. Canada was an oddity as a country whose association was able to qualify a team despite not having a domestic professional league, or even a domestically based professional team with the demise in 1984 of the North American Soccer League. Founding league commissioner Dale Barnes voiced sentiment aptly when he said the league is to "bring our players home." The league gained a leap in creditibility when an agreement was reached with The Sports Network to broadcast a CSL Game of the Week, allowing a nationwide audience view a game on domestic cable TV each Sunday evening. Broadcasts featured play-by-play commentator Vic Rauter and analyst Graham Leggat. The league received sponsorship from Air Canada, Foster's Lager, Hyundai, and Gatorade.... Mehr