OTTAWA – Ottawa Fury FC learned it could earn the chance to face defending MLS Cup and Supporters Shield champion Toronto FC on Thursday as the draw for the 2018 Canadian Championship was made. TFC is also the national tournament’s defending champions, which this year for the first time will include PLSQ champions AS Blainville and League1 Ontario champions the Oakville Blue Devils.

Fury FC will face the winner of the clash between Blainville and the Blue Devils in the Second Qualifying Round, with Ottawa set to visit the winner of the tournament’s opening matchup on June 20 before the return leg on June 27 at TD Place for a chance to take on Toronto FC for a second consecutive year.

“I love this competition,” said Fury FC General Manager Julian de Guzman “I’ve played in the Canadian Championship, I’ve won the Canadian Championship and I’ve coached in the Canadian Championship. The Battle of the North crowns the best team in our country and I know our players and our fans will once again embrace the challenge of this competition.”

Fury FC earned a 2-1 victory behind goals from Ryan Williams and Sito Seoane in the opening leg of its clash a year ago in the semifinals against Toronto FC before the MLS club turned the tables at BMO Field to earn a 4-0 victory to advance 5-2 on aggregate. Now the side from Canada’s capital will have to get past a new opponent to earn another shot at the defending champion, with Blainville and Oakville both making their debuts in the expanded tournament. 

“We are excited to welcome the champions of League1 Ontario and Première ligue de soccer du Québec into an expanded Canadian Championship,” said Canada Soccer General Secretary Peter Montopoli. “This competition is about showcasing Canadian Content at the top level of professional competition and providing an expanded opportunity for Canadian players, clubs and coaches to have the opportunity to compete in a meaningful national competition with the ultimate goal of advancing to the FIFA Club World Cup.”

2018 Canadian Championship Schedule
First Qualifying Round
June 6 – AS Blainville vs. Oakville Blue Devils                              
June 13 – Oakville Blue Devils vs. AS Blainville 

Second Qualifying Round
June 20 – Winner 1QR vs. Ottawa Fury FC
June 27 – Ottawa Fury FC vs. Winner 1QR

Semifinals
July 18 – Winner 2QR vs. Toronto FC
July 18 – Impact Montreal FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC

July 25 – Toronto FC vs. Winner 2QR
July 25 – Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Impact Montreal FC

Final
August 8 – Semifinal Winners
August 15 – Semifinal Winners