York United FC have been drawn to face Ligue1 Quebec side FC Laval in the Preliminary Round of the 2025 TELUS Canadian Championship.

The single-game clash will be the very first meeting between the sides and will take place at York Lions Stadium in April/May of next year, with the winner of the tie progressing to take on either provincial CPL rivals Atletico Ottawa or League1 Ontario's Scrossopi FC in the quarter-final.

The draw was conducted on OneSoccer and hosted by Kristian Jack, with contributions and analysis from former York United defender/midfielder Jordan Wilson and Canadian soccer legend Craig Forrest.

York United have enjoyed some memorable moments in the Canadian Championship throughout the past number of years, beginning in 2019 with a pair of aggregate wins over A.S Blainville and FC Edmonton led to an absorbing two-legged clash with MLS heavyweights CF Montreal, which saw a thrilling 2-2 draw take place at an electric YLS.

In 2021, the side reached the quarter-finals before bowing it after a defeat to city rivals Toronto FC at BMO Field while their best-ever run came the following season. Tricky away assignments in Ottawa and Victoria saw superb shootout victories in both before a semi-final trip to BC Place to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps. Despite the squad being decimated through injury, The Nine Stripes delivered an excellent performance and were narrowly pipped in a 2-1 result.

This year’s TELUS Canadian Championship features 15 clubs including reigning winners Vancouver Whitecaps FC and first-time participants Edmonton Scottish United SC (League1 Alberta) and Milton’s Scrosoppi FC (League1 Ontario).

About the TELUS Canadian Championship

Canada Soccer’s Canadian Championship, also known as the Battle of the North, is the nation’s highest men’s domestic competition featuring clubs from coast-to-coast-to-coast, notably professional teams in Major League Soccer and the Canadian Premier League as well as league winners in League1 BC, League1 Alberta, League1 Ontario and Ligue1 Québec. Winners of the 2025 TELUS Canadian Championship lift the Voyageurs Cup and qualify to the annual international competition, Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League. Winners of the Concacaf Champions Cup qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup.