The 2023 Challenge Trophy (French: Trophée Challenge 2023, part of the Toyota National Championships for sponsorship reasons) was the 99th edition of the Challenge Trophy, an annual cup competition contested by amateur teams in men's Canadian soccer. Ten teams participated in the tournament, which took place in Halifax, Nova Scotia from 4–9 October 2023.[1]
The West Ottawa Warriors won the Challenge Trophy on their debut, defeating host team Western Halifax FC 1–0 in the final.[2]
Teams
Teams were seeded on the basis of their Provincial/Territorial Associations team's final
standing in the previous year's championship.
Each of Canada Soccer's thirteen provincial and territorial associations can send one representative to the Challenge Trophy, with teams generally qualifying through a regional preliminary series such as an open cup or league competition.[3]
For the 2023 tournament, nine provincial associations confirmed their participation, with Nova Scotia fielding two teams as the host.
Competing teams were divided into two groups of five teams, playing against one another in a single round-robin and advancing to the final round based on their group positioning.
The preliminary schedule was released by Canada Soccer in August 2023 without locations or kick-off times, which were later confirmed on 15 September.[12] Teams were given bye days based on the pot they were drawn from, with pot 1 teams receiving byes on the 5th day of the group stage, pot 2 teams receiving byes on the 4th day of the group stage, etc.
Tie-breaking criteria for group play
The following criteria shall be used to determine the final standings:[3]
Most points in all group matches;
If two (2) teams are tied in points in all group matches:
Greater number of points in matches between the teams concerned (head to head competition);
Greater goal difference in all group matches;
Greater number of goals scored in all group matches;
Kicks from the penalty mark as per the Laws of the Game, at a time and place decided by the Canada Soccer General Coordinator.
If three (3) or more teams are tied in points in all group matches, the following are the only criteria to break the tie:
Greater goal difference in matches between the teams concerned (head to head competition);
Greater number of goals scored in all matches between the teams concerned;
Greater goal difference in all group matches;
Greater number of goals scored in all group matches;
Drawing of lots to determine ranking at a time and place decided by the Match Commissioner.
The final round (known as Teck Finals Day for sponsorship reasons) paired equally-ranked opponents from opposite groups to determine a final ranking for the tournament.
(Note)Match was originally scheduled to be played at Bedford-Hammond Plains in Bedford, but was moved indoors to the BMO Soccer Centre in Halifax due to field damage caused by Tropical Storm Philippe.
^"Canada Soccer Announces Hosts of the 2022–24 Toyota National Championships". ontariosoccer.com. Ontario Soccer Association. March 22, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2022. In 2023, the U-15 Cup will be held in Waterloo Region, ON, the U-17 Cup in Moncton, NB, and the Jubilee/Challenge Trophy competitions in Halifax, NS.
^Cleary, Martin (October 10, 2023). "HIGH ACHIEVERS WEEKEND WRAP: West Ottawa Warriors win Canadian men's amateur soccer title, Javane Henry takes MVP". OttawaSportsPages.ca. Retrieved October 11, 2023. On the heels of Ottawa St. Anthony reaching the 2019 Canadian men's championship final and the Gloucester Celtic winning the 2022 Challenge Trophy, the West Ottawa Soccer Club Warriors stepped up on Thanksgiving Monday and emerged as champions in their first attempt at the Toyota National Championship. A late first-half goal by midfielder Zach El-Shafei and the shutout goaltending of Anton Favre allowed the Warriors to blank Western Halifax FC 1-0 at the Mainland Commons in Halifax in the 99th playing of the national men's championship.
^"Adult Provincial Championships Day 1 Recap". BC Soccer. April 29, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023. Finally, the day ended with the much anticipated Men's A Cup final, a matchup between two familiar foes. It was a tightly contested battle, with both teams playing tough defense and looking for their chances on the counterattack. But it was the BB5 who managed to find the back of the net late in the game, securing a 1-1 tie and taking the championship after winning in the kicks from the penalty mark.
^"West Ottawa Wins Men's Milkup Ontario Cup Title in Sudden Death Showdown". Ontario Soccer Association. September 10, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023. It was a picture-perfect night at the Ontario Soccer Centre on Sunday with a colourful sunset setting the scene for the Men's 2023 MilkUP Ontario Cup Final. West Ottawa Warriors MP was victorious in the match, beating Scarborough G.S United 6-5 after a penalty shootout that went to sudden death.
^"Les Rapides atteignent les championnats canadiens" [Rapids reach the Canadian Championships]. Le Journal de Lévis (in French). August 29, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023. Avec cette victoire par la marque de 4 à 1, les Lévisiens ont assuré leur place au championnat canadien, qui aura lieu en octobre. [With their 4–1 victory, the Lévisiens secured their place in the Canadian Championships, which will take place in October.]
^Cleary, Ben (August 14, 2023). "Holy Cross and Fieldians claim women's and men's provincial senior soccer titles". Newfoundland Television. Retrieved August 14, 2023. Feildians Athletic Association are the new champions of the Johnson Insurance Challenge Cup. Feildians defeated Holy Cross 1-0 in overtime Sunday afternoon at Topsail Field. The game was scoreless through 90 minutes of regulation time, which triggered 30 minutes of overtime. Finley Manning of Feildians got the game winner near the end of the first 15 minutes, and the team held the lead through the remainder of the game. Feildians goalkeeper Sam Hawco received the Gerard Quirke Award as MVP of the playoffs. Both teams will now represent the province at the Toyota National Challenge Trophy championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia over the Thanksgiving weekend.
^"Challenge Trophy: Teams and Schedule for the 2023 Toyota National Championships". Canada Soccer. September 15, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023. Ten men's adult teams will compete at Canada Soccer's 2023 Toyota National Championships for the Challenge Trophy in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The 10 teams will play 25 matches from 4 to 9 October 2023 with most of the matches played at Halifax Commons. The men's Final will be played Monday 9 October at Mainland Commons 2 with a 12.30 local kick off (11.30 ET / 08.30 PT).
