Canadian Football: A North American League Dressed in Stars and Stripes

THE history of canadian soccer East impregnated with geographical complexities, infrastructural failures, And A collective exasperation among native fans - but has A newly established league put A END has decades of disillusionment? In This in five parts series, Ryan Murray attempts has to understand if THE canadian First League East THE vehicle that will help has awake A sleep giant Since It is sleep, And readdress THE balance of power through THE North American soccer landscape. Legitimate hope Or another FAKE dawn? Let's go find out.

Artwork by Onkar Shirsekar

Read Part 1 here.

For decades, canadian 'soccer' Fans were LEFT frustrated by THE absence of A appropriate high level native league, their exasperation compound by THE relative success of their the cousins through THE 49th parallel. Although geographical proximity open THE door of opportunity For canadian the teams, most Based in the United States league projects - often Operating below THE appearance of A encompassing everything 'North American' initiative - were not Exactly receptive has cross-border participation.

For example, In spite of It is title, THE North American Soccer League (LSNA) was mostly A Oriented towards the United States effort. THE league, inaugurated In 1967, content A overwhelming majority clubs Since THE United States (Canadian teams were 'guest' has compete, as opposite has be considered as founder members), And was spear with A undoubtedly American style Branding campaign, charge with commercial intention.

Not has be confused with THE fleeting North American Soccer Soccer League (NASFL), A competition which materialized In THE immediate after the war time And lasted just two seasons (incidentally, THE NASFL had A canadian participant, THE Toronto greenbacks, In It is ranks), THE North American Soccer League (LSNA) was THE United States' First of all successful incursion In THE world of 'soccer'. League creators target THE masses, keen has facilitate A new following And leaning For THE game, historically deceived by American Soccer, Baseball And Basketball. And, while he was path disabled Never compromising THE hegemony of these immensely popular sports, THE NASL was successful In engaging A vast public.

A entourage of newly established clubs emerged through North America all along THE medium has late 1960s, eager has to kiss A costs And dynamic sporty move...