And what of the Challenge Cup winner? Year after year, the team that wins the senior men’s amateur title is one that has links to pro soccer and the Canadian national-team program. There are former national-team and/or pro players who got real jobs and had families, but still remain in love with the game. There are former and current CIS standouts. There is quality in those teams.

It’s been a hell of a Thanksgiving weekend for Edmonton’s soccer community.

Levis is not the first CIS product to play in MLS. Right now, University of Montreal product Wandrille Lefevre is playing for the Montreal Impact. And he’s not the sole Husky to play pro soccer. Paul Craig played with FC Edmonton in NASL.

This is a group of players who are used to being underestimated by their opposition. And forward Dominic Russo, who was named as one of the three finalists for the PDL’s most valuable player award, is a prime example of the team’s devil-may-care attitude.

FC Edmonton’s 18-year-old midfielder made his professional debut Saturday, playing 80 minutes against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. But, he couldn’t let himself get too carried away — on Tuesday, the University of Alberta first-year engineering student wrote an exam.

Now, the issue is finally out, with much of it dedicated to a look back to the biggest soccer tournament ever played on Canadian soil. As well, look for features on Cyle Larin, Chaim Roserie and a look at the history of the Jackson Cup.

Issue 4 of Plastic Pitch is out today! What will you find inside?

The third issue of PLASTIC PITCH, our national soccer magazine, is out as of right now.

When you think of Saskatchewan and sports, you think about football... the other football, that is. But, when former Canadian national-teamer Kevin Holness returned home to Regina after his professional playing days were done, he helped rekindle a city’s love for the game of soccer

The second issue of Plastic Pitch, out today, features a 16-page section on Canada's bid for the World Cup.