2023 Canadian Soccer League season

The regular season began in late May 2023 with seven teams vying for the league title and a playoff berth.^[3][4] It became evident early on that the regular season title would be primarily contested between Scarborough SC and the Serbian White Eagles.^[5][6] The Serbs started the campaign in a winning fashion by initially producing a three-game undefeated streak until succumbing to Hamilton City in the early stages of the competition.^[5] Despite the loss, the defending divisional champions would later regain the lead in the standings from Scarborough.^[7]

On the Scarborough front, the team also had an impressive run in the early stages.^[5] The eastern Toronto side also managed an undefeated run, even usurping the top position from Serbia, when the original result of a controversial loss to debutant Dynamo Toronto was reversed in Scarborough's favor.^[5] The club benefited from a victory over the Serbs in their first encounter.^[8] However, the lead was only temporary as the Serbs would regain leadership in the standings on a technicality.^[7] This technicality stemmed from their original match, where Scarborough failed to provide the proper documents regarding an acquired import.^[7] Shortly after, the disciplinary committee reversed the decision in Serbia's favor.^[7]

Following the controversial match, the situation would remain the same throughout the season, with the White Eagles holding the lead and Scarborough trailing behind.^[9] Ultimately, the regular season title would be decided in the final match.^[10] Before the final game, Serbia had a two-point advantage over Scarborough and needed only a victory or a draw to secure the title.^[10] In the final week of the competition, Scarborough defeated the western Toronto side and claimed their second divisional title.^[1] Monetary issues among member clubs were the reason for the cancellation of the postseason, as some members failed to fulfill their financial dues to the league.^[1]

League membership increased to seven clubs with the addition of three expansion clubs.^[11][4] The expansion sides included Dynamo Toronto FC, Ooty Black Pearl FC, and Weston United FC.^[11] The acceptance of Dynamo Toronto marked the league's return to the city of Brampton in the Greater Toronto Area.^[12] Ooty Black Pearl and Weston United are both ethnic association clubs representing the Indian and Brazilian communities in the Greater Toronto Area.^[13][14] The two departing clubs were defending champions FC Continentals, which requested a year-long hiatus, and York Region Shooters.^[11][5]

Hamilton City became a single entity once more, as they previously fielded a hybrid team during the COVID-19 pandemic.^[11] Brantford Galaxy was originally scheduled to compete but withdrew just before the start of the season.^[11][15]

The league commenced with the Royal CSL Cup, a tribute match in honor of former league announcer Enio Perruzza, who died in 2021.^[11][16] All league matches were played in Mississauga, a suburb of Toronto, with the first half played at Mattamy Sports Park and the remainder at the Paramount Centre fields.^[11][6]