BMO Champions Cup returns this week

Toronto FC Academy will be welcoming the best sides in Ontario with representatives from the OPDL (Ontario Player Development League) and the OASL (Ontario Academy Soccer League) in U-13 and U-15 age groups.

As the ‘champions’ in the name suggests, clubs earn their invitations through league and cup play.

Six teams will be split into two groups of three in each age class, playing the other two sides in their group; the winners of each group will meet in the final.

In U-13, TFC Academy 2005 will square off against OPDL sides Hamilton United Elite SC, Ottawa South United SA, and Woodbridge Strikers SC, as well as OASL representatives Sigma FC and Pro Stars FC. TFC play Sigma on Thursday and Woodbridge on Friday.

In U-15, TFC Academy 2003 will meet North Toronto SC, Oakville SC, and Unionville Milliken SC from the OPDL and Rush Canada Blue and Rush Canada White from the OASL. TFC play Rush Canada White on Friday and Unionville on Saturday.

Matches begin on Wednesday evening with the finals set for Sunday afternoon. The full schedule can be viewed at torontofc.ca and the matches will be open to the public.

Waking the Red caught up with TFC Academy Director Anthony Capotosto on Monday to look ahead to the tournament and learn a little about the two TFC sides involved – keep an eye out for a piece on Wednesday morning.

In the inaugural addition last year, which featured four age groups from U-14 to U-20, TFC Academy ran the table. With three sides still involved in USSDA play – in fact, they play on Saturday morning – this edition had to be paired down slightly. But rest assured TFC will be eager to defend their titles this year, you can bank on it.