2024 Season Preview: Everything You Need To Know!
Today, a new League1 Ontario season kicks off, and we put together a quick preview for you to be up to speed with everything you need to know before supporting your Guelph United in 2024!
What is League1 Ontario?
League1 Ontario is a pro-am soccer league that was founded in 2014. It is owned and managed by CSB (Canadian Soccer Business), and is sanctioned by FIFA through the domestic bodies of Canada Soccer and Ontario Soccer. Together with League1 Quebec, League1 BC and League1 Alberta, it currently sits at the third tier of the Canadian soccer pyramid, with CPL (Canadian Premier League) at the first tier, and no current second tier leagues. You can visit their website here.
What is the format of the league?
For the first time in North America, a senior soccer league is implementing a format similar to the European model, including a tiered structure with promotion/relegation between its divisions, no playoffs, and a cup competition that will run in parallel with the leagues. You can read more details about it here.
Where does Guelph United fit into all this?
Guelph United’s senior teams are both part of the highest division of League1 Ontario, the Premier division, which this season features 12 teams on the men’s side, and 10 on the women’s. At the end of the regular season, the top team is crowned champion, and qualifies to a national competition (the Canadian Championship for men, the L1 Inter-provincial Championship for women), while the bottom team(s) relegate to the second division, the League1 Ontario Championship. There is also a third division, named League2 Ontario, which features newly formed teams and reserve squads, and which is where our Reserve teams will be playing.
How do our rosters look like?
Our men’s team has kept a majority of its core intact, with many of our standout players re-signing for another year, including GUFC Player of the Year Cole Fernandez, and Supporters Player of the Year Carter Robart. On the new signings front, Guelph United has inked 11 new players for the Premier division team, including former Halifax Wanderers defender Luke Green. In terms of significant departures, Amardo Oakley signed professionally in Ireland’s First Division with Athlone Town AFC, Camilo Vasconcelos signed professionally with the Halifax Wanderers of the CPL, and Barbados international Zach Ellis-Hayden retired.
You can check out the full roster here.
Our women’s team is under the guidance of a new head coach in 2024, after the departure of Ivan Joseph, with former Electric City FC coach Randy Ribeiro now in charge. The off-season saw GUFC re-sign a large part of their 2023 squad, including Player of the Year Victoria Hinchliffe and U21 Player of the Year Alanna Starcevic. Guelph United also signed 12 new players, including the return of Guelph Union’s leading scorer in 2022, Olivia Brown.
Here is the full roster.
That’s great and all, but how and where can I attend games?
Both our Premier Division teams play their games at the Centennial Bowl (here’s how you can get there). Even though the season starts today, the home opener at the Bowl will take place on May 15. Before then, our teams will play a few games away from home (see the schedules for men and women), with the exception of one “home” match that our men’s team will play in Cambridge.
Is it expensive?
It most certainly is not. Adult game tickets cost $10; kids pay $5; and children under 10 have free admission. But the best way to watch our team is through our affordable season tickets: $65 for adults and $30 for kids and seniors give you access to ALL 21 games hosted at the Centennial Bowl this summer (as well as the home match in Cambridge). Get yours now!
Is there anything to eat or drink at the Bowl?
Absolutely. We have plenty of snack options, pies and hot dogs from Fleetstreet, and a beer garden with various brews from Wellington, as well as wine.
Can the games be streamed anywhere?
Not all of them. League1 Ontario provides streams of 2 games each week; whenever Guelph United is live streamed we will make sure to let you know through our social media channels.
Can I have a handy schedule of all our home matches?
Yep: here’s the full Centennial Bowl schedule for 2024.
Wednesday May 15, 8.00 PM (L1 Cup, Round of 16): Guelph United (men) – The Borough FC (L2)
Monday May 20, 7.00 PM: Guelph United (men) – Blue Devils FC
Tuesday May 21, 8.00 PM (L1 Cup, Round of 16): Guelph United (women) – NDC Ontario
Sunday May 26, 2.00 PM: Guelph United (women) – North Mississauga SC
Sunday May 26, 5.30 PM: Guelph United (men) – Scrosoppi FC
Wednesday May 29, 8.00 PM: Guelph United (women) – Woodbridge Strikers
Sunday June 9, 2.00 PM: Guelph United (women) – North Toronto Nitros
Sunday June 9, 5.30 PM: Guelph United (men) – Alliance United
Wednesday June 19, 9.00 PM: Guelph United (women) – Simcoe County Rovers
Sunday June 23, 2.00 PM: Guelph United (men) – ProStars FC
Sunday June 23, 5.30 PM: Guelph United (women) – Blue Devils FC
Sunday July 7, 2.00 PM: Guelph United (women) – FC London
Sunday July 7, 5.30 PM: Guelph United (men) – Sigma FC
Tuesday July 9, 8.00 PM: Guelph United (women) – NDC Ontario
Wednesday July 10, 8.00 PM: Guelph United (men) – Hamilton United
Sunday July 21, 2.00 PM: Guelph United (men) – Vaughan Azzurri
Sunday July 21, 5.30 PM: Guelph United (women) – Vaughan Azzurri
Monday August 5, 5.30 PM: Guelph United (men) – North Toronto Nitros
Monday August 5, 8.30 PM: Guelph United (women) – Alliance United
Sunday August 18, 5.30 PM: Guelph United (men) – Woodbridge Strikers
Monday September 2, 5.30 PM: Guelph United (men) – Simcoe County Rovers