As the Impact looks to defend its Amway Canadian Championship this season, changes are on the horizon for 2015 as the CSA announced last week a new timeframe for the tournament starting next year.
The 2014 Amway Canadian Championship will be played in its current format, starting April 23 in Ottawa as the Fury Will take on FC Edmonton (NASL). The winner will join the three MLS clubs (Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto) in a home and away aggregate goal series to crown Canada’s best team, earning a spot in the 2014/2015 CONCACAF Champions League.
The 2015 edition of the tournament will shift timeframe to be played in July and August. The 2015 champion will then represent Canada in the 2016/2017 CONCACAF Champions League.
Given the revised timeframe for the 2015 championship, the competition will not be played in time to designate the Canadian representative for the 2015/2016 CONCACAF Champions League. As such, it has been agreed with all participating clubs that the Canadian MLS club ranked highest in the combined league points table at the end of the 2014 MLS regular season would be appointed Canadian representative in Champions League.
As defending champs, the Impact will play its first game on May 7, against the winner of Ottawa and Edmonton knock out game.
