-Hammer-

I think it could be, but as it stands no. The Argos are drawing 15,000+ as is, they need a 20,000 seats to accommodate some growth, but not be a cavernous experience.

The problem is you would need a major renovation of Lamport as the facility isn't nearly big enough, even with extra endzone seats, the amenities are not up to snuff and understandably, neither the city of Toronto or MLSE are willing to pay for it (The former because they can play at BMO, and the later because of the same but also because they don't see the Argos as having enough of a growth opportunity for either TFC or the Argos if they are given their own facility.)

To me, the groundshare is an awful half measure. You are saying with it "TFC doesn't deserve their own immaculate pitch" which the purists want and "The Argos are a second fiddle, but one with thing we can do something with because of the CFL TV Deal." However that's MLSE, maximize profits and operate as monopolistic as possible in our catchment area. One of many reasons I don't support that organization.

I'll give Atletico credit. They did a great job of jamming up the middle. I was incredibly frustrated with how much space though Ottawa was leaving near the South side that Forge simply didn't want to press into. That said, their finish was dog meat. It seemed like no player was willing to try a cross and was incredibly focused on the top of the box or passing in from the top of the box.

On the other side, Forge's defense did it's thing. They are a very tough nut to crack when you get it into their end. The down side was Forge simply wasn't breaking in and players simply weren't willing  to outright beat defenders to make good chances.

Ottawa certainly had more chances then Forge, even though Forge had the better chances. Honestly, I feel it was a very even affair. Forge has got to start scoring if they want to stay in the race.

I would say, depends where you are drawing the line of Toronto's suburbs, but yes. Unless you have incredibly deep pockets and you are intentionally marketing your product as an alternative to TFC, you aren't going to make a lot of headway in Toronto. MLSE's pricier style over substance vs better bang for your buck model regrettably works.

We needed a team in Quebec City at inception. Now that we are five years in, it's absurd we don't have a team in Quebec somewhere. I have serious concerns with the ownership of Forge not allowing a London or KW market to become realized, but sincerely hope I am proven wrong. KW frankly is a much better spot to land a team then York, provided you have an owner with deep pockets.

I'll give Atletico credit. They did a great job of jamming up the middle. I was incredibly frustrated with how much space though Ottawa was leaving near the South side that Forge simply didn't want to press into. That said, their finish was dog meat. It seemed like no player was willing to try a cross and was incredibly focused on the top of the box or passing in from the top of the box.

On the other side, Forge's defense did it's thing. They are a very tough nut to crack when you get it into their end. The down side was Forge simply wasn't breaking in and players simply weren't willing  to outright beat defenders to make good chances.

Ottawa certainly had more chances then Forge, even though Forge had the better chances. Honestly, I feel it was a very even affair. Forge has got to start scoring if they want to stay in the race.

An update about CPL in Québec City
Thread + translation
-A 6000 seats modular stadium is being considered
-Quebec City (city hall politicians and city staff are very supportive)
-According to the paperwork, the city had previously denied the existence of paperwork about the construction of a stadium. However, the city shared a legal note saying that it cannot share any information that may interfere with negotiations leading to a deal. Also, an organisation (the city) can refuse to share any information if that was a recommendation made within an ongoing process.
-In a nutshell, they've been working hard behind the scene*
*so much about the negative speculations.
-2024 would be ambitions but not impossible. A 2025 launch is deemed as more realistic.
-Construction of a modular stadium takes between 4 to 6 months
-Potential sites inspections will begin soon if not already started 
-Downtown Quebec City isn't the only option
-The study showing enthousiam for a CPL franchise reassured the league and investors
-The expansion fee is being negotiated. The new commissioner is open to their arguments and the project as a whole. A win-win deal should be found.**
**Let's not forget that Saputo did the same prior to enter MLS
There you have it, Quebec City seems likely for a 2025 launch just prior to the World Cup. They've been working for a while behind the scenes on the project --> to the naysayers, silence doesn't mean nothing's happening.
So we can finally put to rest the use of the PEPS stadium of Laval University. The league seems to demand a soccer stadium (or meeting league standards) as a must for an expansion. Looks like University stadiums won't be allowed going forward, time to put those kind of speculations to rest
Under Noonan, seems like there's room to negotiate the expansion fee that might not have been there under Clanachan. Makes sense as a business but it falls on the applicant to make the case on why it should be lowered. That's smart business.

lmao valuation seems little out of touch. has the league really grow that much in three years. enwayz 

My take on this is if MLS teams want more Canadian berths, they can play in more Canadian competitions. Since they play in US competitions, they can play for US berths. Wales doesn't give it's berths to the Welsh teams playing in the English league, and we shouldn't either. Simple as that.

The speedbump argument is completely irrelevant. While I do lament the loss of the CONCACAF league as it was a competition that was at an appropriate level, that CanPL clubs get to play against giants and likely get that one big payday and the opportunity of relevance and giant killing is worthwhile. Say nothing if the draw puts a CanPL team against a  Caribbean or Central American club and then potentially against the Caribbean or Central American champ in the 2nd round.

 

The speedbump argument is completely irrelevant. While I do lament the loss of the CONCACAF league as it was a competition that was at an appropriate level, that CanPL clubs get to play against giants and likely get that one big payday and the opportunity of relevance and giant killing is worthwhile. Say nothing if the draw puts a CanPL team against a  Caribbean or Central American club and then potentially against the Caribbean or Central American champ in the 2nd round.

 

My take on this is if MLS teams want more Canadian berths, they can play in more Canadian competitions. Since they play in US competitions, they can play for US berths. Wales doesn't give it's berths to the Welsh teams playing in the English league, and we shouldn't either. Simple as that.

My take on this is if MLS teams want more Canadian berths, they can play in more Canadian competitions. Since they play in US competitions, they can play for US berths. Wales doesn't give it's berths to the Welsh teams playing in the English league, and we shouldn't either. Simple as that.

My take on this is if MLS teams want more Canadian berths, they can play in more Canadian competitions. Since they play in US competitions, they can play for US berths. Wales doesn't give it's berths to the Welsh teams playing in the English league, and we shouldn't either. Simple as that.

They totally were accommodating MLS for their League Cup. They could have done what the USSF did (with way more clubs and leagues) and add dates after the Cup later this summer instead of condensing everything in the spring.

Let's not kid ourselves here.
CCL berths going to the league is the norm - not a favor. Of all the domestic cups that I can think off, only the winner goes to continental tournaments, never the runner ups. As a matter of fact, if the domestic cup winner also qualifies via the league, it's the next best club in the league that goes to the tournament - not the runner up of the domestic cup

This here is also in my eyes, why Pacific should not be in a rush, in any way to expand the facility. You aren't filling it as is, and the parking situation is pretty bad.

The issue is the same song everywhere there is talk on CanPL expansion. Show me the owner, and show me the facility they play out of, and keeping in mind that a university multi-use field is usually not ideal.

The issue is the same song everywhere there is talk on CanPL expansion. Show me the owner, and show me the facility they play out of, and keeping in mind that a university multi-use field is usually not ideal.

The issue is the same song everywhere there is talk on CanPL expansion. Show me the owner, and show me the facility they play out of, and keeping in mind that a university multi-use field is usually not ideal.

The issue is the same song everywhere there is talk on CanPL expansion. Show me the owner, and show me the facility they play out of, and keeping in mind that a university multi-use field is usually not ideal.

The issue is the same song everywhere there is talk on CanPL expansion. Show me the owner, and show me the facility they play out of, and keeping in mind that a university multi-use field is usually not ideal.

Lamport is probably the best location you can hope for, save that you basically need to make sure you never schedule anything the same time that TFC plays. That however is the problem, MLSE will do everything in it's power to make sure that doesn't happen. 

Frankly, I think the best thing for Lamport is that it be turned into a slowly expanding 15,000 seat venue for the Argos and that they only use BMO for big games like the Grey Cup. That will make the TFC fans stop complaining and may give the Argos a new lease on a facility more to their size.

+20% in season tickets for Forge and a dedicated "Forge FC only" business unit
 

So I will be heading out to Vancouver for my fourth CanPL Home opener.

Although taking a different route to get there. Vancouver Airport on the Saturday, will probably be hitting up Superflux and a few pubs then, still working out details of that night as far as accommodation, not sure if anyone here might be going to the Whitecaps game the night before or if your supporters have an event or something. If so let me know and those plans may change.

After that, will SkyTrain/Bus to Carvolth on the Sunday and fly out of Abbotsford on the Monday. Not sure if you guys have a pub you are going to frequent, if so let me know, if anyone would like to do a scarf swap, or would like to purchase a Barton Street Battalion scarf from Hamilton, let me know and I will bring some additional ones.

So I will be heading out to Vancouver for my fourth CanPL Home opener.

Although taking a different route to get there. Vancouver Airport on the Saturday, will probably be hitting up Superflux and a few pubs then, still working out details of that night as far as accommodation, not sure if anyone here might be going to the Whitecaps game the night before or if your supporters have an event or something. If so let me know and those plans may change.

After that, will SkyTrain/Bus to Carvolth on the Sunday and fly out of Abbotsford on the Monday. Not sure if you guys have a pub you are going to frequent, if so let me know, if anyone would like to do a scarf swap, or would like to purchase a Barton Street Battalion scarf from Hamilton, let me know and I will bring some additional ones.

Just a heads up if anyone hasn't seen on social media. Chant night on the 14th, 6:30pm at Wingporium before the game, and we're going to have a March to the stadium. Again, starting at Wingporium at Noon and will march at 2:30pm.

Just a heads up if anyone hasn't seen on social media. Chant night on the 14th, 6:30pm at Wingporium before the game, and we're going to have a March to the stadium. Again, starting at Wingporium at Noon and will march at 2:30pm.