2008 Canadian Soccer League season
The 2008 Canadian Soccer League season was the 11th since its establishment where a total of 16 teams from Ontario and Quebec took part in the league. The season began on May 16, 2008, and ended on October 26 with the Serbian White Eagles claiming their first championship by defeating Trois-Rivières Attak 2-1 in a penalty shootout. This was the third consecutive year the White Eagles had reached the CSL finals losing respectively to Italia Shooters in 2006, and to rivals Toronto Croatia in 2007. While during the regular season Italia won their second division title with Trois-Rivières becoming the first Quebec team to claim the National Division title.
| Season | 2008 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Serbian White Eagles |
| Regular Season title | Italia Shooters (International Division) Trois-Rivières Attak (National Division) |
| Matches played | 121 |
| Goals scored | 419 (3.46 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Daniel Nascimento (Brampton Lions) (18 goals) |
| Best goalkeeper | Andrew Olivieri |
| Biggest home win | 9–0 Trois-Rivières Attak v Windsor Border Stars |
| Biggest away win | 0–7 London City v Brampton Lions 4–7 London City v Toronto Croatia |
← 2007 2009 → | |
The CSL added another team to the Peel Region after the relocation of the Canadian Lions to Brampton, Ontario to play as the Brampton Lions in the National Division. Toronto FC of the Major League Soccer established a relationship with the league by entering TFC Academy to the National Division, and TFC Academy II to the Reserve Division. Further significant changes introduced by the league was the creation of the 5 team reserve division in the Toronto region to provide a developmental platform for young players in order to make the transition to the professional ranks. The Ontario Soccer Association reached an agreement with the CSL to receive Operational Independence from the provincial governing body. The league received more coverage from Rogers TV which would broadcast a CSL match on Friday nights.