TFC’s success in CONCACAF will force juggling of 2012 NCC schedule By Charles Posted on October 19, 2011 Comments Off on TFC’s success in CONCACAF will force juggling of 2012 NCC schedule 0 619 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter It’s a nice problem to have — but Toronto FC’s success in the CONCACAF Champions League is already throwing a wrench into the planning of next season’s Nutrilite Canadian Championship. Why? This past year, the NCC began in the last week of April. But, the CCL final’s second leg is set for April 24-26, which would put it in direct conflict with a similar NCC start date in 2012. And, in planning the national tournament, the CSA can’t wait until mid-March to find out if Toronto FC survives its CCL quarter-final match-up or not. TFC will begin its quarter-final in the March 6-8 window. And, as long as TFC is in the competition, the door has to be left open that the Reds could make the final. Even though it’s still unlikely TFC would navigate a minefield of Mexican and MLS sides and get to the final, you can’t make assumptions. So, the NCC schedule will need to be tweaked. “The schedule is in the process of being figured out with the clubs,” wrote Canadian Soccer Association communications manager Michele Dion in an e-mail to The 11. “The eventuality of TFC moving forward in CCL has been taken into account already, and they are also working around the FIFA dates in early June. We should know more in November.” So, if the chance that TFC could move forward to the final is taken into account, it’s safe to assume that the 2012 NCC won’t start until after the CCL is done. The CSA expects to know more about the potential NCC matchdays in November.
