Canadian soccer pyramid

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The Canadian soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the Canada. Canadian teams are often members of leagues that are based in the United States.

The league structure in Canada is different from that used in much of the world (but like most other sports league systems in the United States) in one key respect: promotion and relegation does not regularly occur between any two levels.

Major League Soccer has a fixed number of franchises (currently 15), with no merit-based promotion from the USL First Division, which is run by a completely separate entity, the United Soccer Leagues (USL). Toronto FC joined MLS in 2007, with Vancouver Whitecaps FC due to join in 2011.

The USL manages many leagues including the USL First and Second Divisions. There is no formal system of relegation between the USL First and USL Second divisions, largely due to the franchise-based nature of the league. ^[1] There are currently no Canadian teams in the USL Second Division.

Men

The top league in Canada is Major League Soccer, along with the United Soccer Leagues First Division. In May 2009, the Canadian Soccer League received conditional approval as Canada's National League (at a level below that of the MLS and USL-1). The Canadian Soccer Association is the governing body for Canada.

Women

See also

• English football league system
• American Soccer Pyramid

References