Results
| Date | R | Home vs Away | - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09/30 22:00 | - | AS Laval vs CF Montreal U23 | 1-0 |
| 09/23 23:00 | - |
AS Blainville vs Ottawa South United
|
1-3 |
Wikipedia - Ligue1 Québec
Ligue1 Québec (L1QC) is a semi-professional men's and women's soccer league in Quebec, Canada. Founded in 2011 as the Première ligue de soccer du Québec, the league is sanctioned by the Canadian Soccer Association and the Quebec Soccer Federation.
In the Canadian soccer league system, the men's division is behind the fully-professional Canadian Premier League. It is part of League1 Canada, the national third tier with regional division, along with three other provincial leagues. The men's league champion qualifies for the Canadian Championship, Canada's domestic cup tournament.
History
Background
The history of soccer in Quebec dates back to 1884, with the first league established in 1886. In 1911, the Province of Quebec Football Association, now known as the Quebec Soccer Federation was founded. In 1986, a semi-professional league called the Ligue nationale de soccer du Québec (LNSQ) was created, but it merged with different rival leagues to form the Ligue de soccer élite du Québec in 1992. In 1993, five of the former LNSQ clubs Corfinium St-Leonard, Cosmos de LaSalle, Luso Stars Mont-Royal, Montreal Croatia, and Montreal Ramblers joined the Canadian National Soccer League (CNSL) to form the league's Eastern Division. Following this, the amateur Ligue de soccer élite du Québec served as the top level of soccer in the province, although Quebec clubs did play in the United Soccer League (Montreal Impact) and the semi-professional Canadian Soccer League (Laval Dynamites/Trois-Rivières Attak and Montreal Impact Academy).
Foundation
In 2011, the Première ligue de soccer du Québec was established, marking the return of a semi-professional soccer league to the province for the first time in 20 years. The league was sanctioned by the Canadian Soccer Association as a level 3 league, below Major League Soccer (level 1) and the North American Soccer League and United Soccer League (level 2), which were American-based fully professional leagues featuring some Canadian teams, including the Montreal Impact of the MLS.
The league had its debut season in 2012 with a men's division featuring five teams – A.S. Blainville, FC Brossard, FC Boisbriand, FC L'Assomption, and FC Saint-Léonard. FC Saint-Léonard won the inaugural season. The following season, the league added a league cup to its schedule, the Coupe PLSQ, which would take place annually at the conclusion of the season, unrelated to the results of the regular season. In 2014, the province of Ontario created its own semi-professional level 3 league, League1 Ontario, and the Inter-Provincial Cup was established which would be contested between the champions of each league and ran for three years until 2016. In 2015, the league added its first club from outside of the province of Quebec, with the Ottawa Fury FC Academy joining the league.
Beginning in 2018, the league champion qualified to participate in the Canadian Championship for the following season. In 2018, a women's division was added, starting with five teams. The start of the 2020 season was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it ultimately resumed with a shortened season, although some teams opted out of playing for the season. However, the remainder of the men's season was cancelled about three-quarters of the way through the season, due to a resurgence of the pandemic (the female season had already concluded).
In 2022, the PLSQ joined League1 Canada along with League1 Ontario and League1 British Columbia. On April 19, 2023, the league rebranded to Ligue1 Québec to align with its partner leagues.
The tournament showcases the passion and skill of both professional and amateur players, creating an exciting and competitive atmosphere for spectators and participants alike. With a rich history dating back several years, Canada League1 Quebec has become a prominent event in the soccer calendar, drawing in large crowds and generating widespread excitement.
The tournament features a round-robin format, where teams compete against each other in a series of matches to secure their spot in the knockout stages. The matches are played on well-maintained pitches, providing the perfect setting for players to showcase their abilities and entertain the enthusiastic crowds.
Canada League1 Quebec is known for its high level of competition, with teams displaying exceptional teamwork, strategic play, and individual brilliance. The matches are intense and fast-paced, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats throughout the tournament. The tournament also serves as a platform for young and emerging talents to make a name for themselves, attracting the attention of scouts and talent spotters.
In addition to the thrilling on-field action, Canada League1 Quebec offers a vibrant and festive atmosphere off the pitch. Spectators can enjoy a variety of food and beverage options, live music, and entertainment, creating a memorable experience for all attendees.
Overall, Canada League1 Quebec is a must-attend event for soccer enthusiasts, providing an opportunity to witness top-level soccer talent, experience the electric atmosphere, and celebrate the sport's rich culture in the beautiful province of Quebec.