CBC - Home of the World's Game

March 18, 2010

Topics: CBC, Major League Soccer, World Cup

Huge Season of Soccer on CBC Begins with Fourth Season of Major League Soccer with Toronto FC on April 25

CBC, home of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, kicks off an action-packed soccer season when Major League Soccer on CBC raises the curtain on its fourth season. Toronto FC takes the newly refurbished all-grass pitch at BMO Field against Seattle on Sunday, April 25 at 2 p.m. ET on CBC, bold and CBCSports.ca. Lead by captain Jim Brennan, Toronto FC look to become playoff contenders for the first time in team history.

This kicks off an exciting 13-game Toronto FC broadcast package for MLS on CBC which includes matches versus the 2009 MLS Playoff finalists, Columbus Crew on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 3:30 p.m. ET; a May 8 matchup against Eastern Conference powerhouse Chicago Fire and Popsicle Soccer Day in Canada on July 10, which will feature a game against Colorado in addition to comprehensive 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa coverage.

CBC will continue to feature the stars of MLS to fans throughout the season, along with special features on the Vancouver Whitecaps, currently of the North American Soccer League who will join MLS next year. Canada's second franchise will play out of a refurbished BC Place, bringing even more Canadian stories to North America's top-flight league.

Gemini Award-winner Scott Russell returns this season as host of MLS on CBC. Nigel Reed, former host and producer for BBC's English Premier League coverage, takes his familiar place in the broadcast booth to call play-by-play, alongside analyst and former Canadian national team captain, Jason De Vos. CBC Sports veteran Brenda Irving will report from the sidelines.

Toronto FC heads into a highly anticipated season highlighted by the hiring of Preki Radosavljevic, the club's fourth coach in four seasons. Famous for his no-nonsense approach, Radosavljevic boasts a successful MLS resume. He has hoisted an MLS Cup, won two MVP awards as a player and was coach of the year in 2007 with Chivas USA. On the field, Scarborough native Dwayne De Rosario returns to the club at the midfield position accompanied by fellow Canadian International Julian De Guzman.

CBCSports.ca will provide live and on-demand coverage of all MLS on CBC broadcasts, in addition to Toronto FC and MLS highlights. For information on how to order bold, viewers can call their local television service provider or visit boldtv.ca. Viewers can log on to CBCSports.ca 24 hours a day, seven days a week for comprehensive news, results and blogs throughout the entire MLS season.

CBC is the home of the world's game, with comprehensive Major League Soccer on CBC coverage and from June 11 – July 11, the much-anticipated 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. CBC's 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa broadcast schedule will be available in the weeks to come.

2010 MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER ON CBC BROADCAST SCHEDULE
(Schedule subject to change)

All games available live and on-demand on CBCSports.ca

CBC TELEVISION (All events are live)

Sun. Apr. 25, 2 p.m. ET: Seattle Sounders FC @ Toronto FC