Atlético Ottawa vs Scrosoppi – April 29
The first of the League1 Ontario sides to kick off in the 2025 TELUS Canadian Championship is Scrosoppi, who were last year’s victors in the League1 Ontario Men’s Premier Division.
They’ve been one of the best Pro-Am teams in the country for the past two campaigns, finishing top of the 2023 and 2024 regular-season standings. They were one win away from being last year’s League1 Ontario Can Champ representatives but lost to Simcoe County Rovers in the division final.
The side has retained plenty of quality going into this season, including last year’s men’s Premier Division Coach of the Year, John Yacou, and made some shrewd signings who could make a big impact at TD Place – particularly former Simcoe star Orlendis Benitez Hernandez.
Scrosoppi and Ottawa have both enjoyed unbeaten starts to their seasons and top their respective standings, and they’ll need to be firing on all cylinders if either team wants to progress.
Cavalry vs Edmonton Scottish – April 29
This Alberta derby is a hot prospect in the Preliminary Round of the Can Champ, as the province’s League1 champions take on the reigning Canadian Premier League champions.
Edmonton Scottish are the first League1 Alberta representatives in this competition and are yet to kick off this season. But if their 2024 campaign is anything to go by, they don’t need any time to hit the ground running.
The Scottish won their first five games of last year’s Pro-Am campaign, and only lost three games to top the regular-season standings. It was a close call though, with Calgary Foothills amassing the same number of points.
They did however beat the Foothills 3-1 in extra time in the Championship Final – proving they can get the job done when it matters most. They will be aiming to use this experience against Cavalry who are yet to win in the CPL this season.
York United vs FC Laval – May 6
York Lions Stadium regularly hosts League1 Ontario games, but on May 6 the Ligue1 Québec champions are heading to Ontario to take on the Canadian Premier League’s York United.
Ligue1 Québec kicked off at the weekend with FC Laval winning 3-1 at CS St-Hubert; a positive showing for Laval against a team who reached the playoff (Coupe L1QC) semifinals last year.
FC Laval won the regular season in 2024 by two points, earning their place in the Can Champ draw, but their Coupe L1QC opening round saw them lose 5-4 in a 120-minute thriller. They’ll be aiming to use that learning experience to their advantage against York.
The Nine Stripes started the season with a 2-0 away win against Vancouver, but faltered against Halifax Wanderers and Atlético Ottawa before picking up a point against Forge.
Valour vs TSS Rovers – May 7
For these two sides, this matchup needs no introduction. TSS Rovers are back in the Can Champ for the third time in a row, and defeated Valour in 2023 in a shock Preliminary Round victory.
The Canadian Premier League side are the hosts this time, but the Rovers’ loyal fanbase – the Swanguardians – will be aiming to make Princess Auto Stadium a home from home.
TSS have started their season marginally stronger with seven points from their opening four games, including a 1-0 win against Unity on Saturday, compared to Valour’s single tie from three matches that sees them occupy the bottom of the CPL.
Mejia netted three goals in the Rovers’ first three games of the 2025 season, and was also on the scoresheet against Valour in 2022. Michael Hennessy, and Ali Zohar could also be a handful for Valour and are players to watch in this match.