THE RIVALRY

[epjr]

The Carls-Rite Cup and the Birth of the
Toronto – Montreal
Rivalry

The Toronto-Montreal rivalry is one of the most hotly contested in North American soccer at the moment. Over the past few years the Montreal Impact and Toronto FC have played each other in plenty of memorable matches. The rivalry between the teams has spilled over to the fan bases and has built on the animosity that already existed between the cities’ other sporting teams.

The rivalry between the Montreal Impact and Toronto FC is just one of many that has existed between soccer teams from these two cities over the years. The origins of this rivalry go back to the early 20th century with humble beginnings in the form of an amateur all-star game, the Carls-Rite Cup.

The cup named after its donor, the famous Carls-Rite hotel in downtown Toronto, was first contested in 1914 and was contested every year there after until 1931 (with the exceptions of 1918 and 1926). Toronto and Montreal selected all-star teams from the best players playing for amateur clubs in each city to face off a two-legged affair. From 1927 onwards the format was changed slightly to a single match rotating annually between Montreal and Toronto (in the case of a tie the previous winner retained the cup).

www.rednationonline.ca/Articles2014/TheCarlsRiteCupandtheBirthofarivalry.aspx