1969 National Soccer League season

The conclusion of the decade sparked a revival that would restore the National Soccer League (NSL) to a level of prominence once more in Canadian soccer.^[11] The membership increased to 14 teams, the highest since the 1950s, with the league returning to the province of Quebec.^[12][11] The previous time the NSL operated in Quebec was in the 1964 season, when Montreal Cantalia and Montreal Ukrainians represented the province.^[13] Montreal Inter-Italia was granted an NSL franchise.^[11][14] After an eight-year absence, Toronto Italia returned since their initial departure in 1961 to play in the Eastern Canada Professional Soccer League (ECPSL).^[11]

The league expanded into the London and Oakville regions with the acceptance of Arsenal Portuguese Oakville and London German Canadians.^[11] London previously competed in the London and District Soccer League, and the sole departure from the league was Windsor Teutonia.^[14] The season produced a surge in match attendance as the league began to recover from its initial decrease in the mid-1960s due to competition from the ECPSL and the North American Soccer League.^[12][11][15] Changes also occurred at the executive level with Joe Piccininni succeeding Bill Boytchuk as league president.^[14][16]

The NSL was involved in a dispute with the Ontario Soccer Football Association (OSFA) over refusing to issue bond payments to the OSFA.^[17] The governing body, in response, suspended the league, but the NSL continued operations and ultimately consented to paying the bond.^[17][18][19] Though the OSFA received its payment, the suspension remained in effect as another point of contention revolved around player registration and the lack of disciplinary actions regarding players.^[20] The NSL, in response, canceled its payments and continued operating as an outlaw league.^[19] Shortly after, both parties settled their dispute over a meeting.^[21]