Soccer (Football)
The history of soccer in Canada
With Red Bull Four 2 Score coming to Toronto for the first time ever, we dove into the history of soccer in Canada to highlight its evolution into the game we love today.
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Soccer is the most popular sport in the world for good reason. All you need is a group of friends, a ball, and an open space. There’s no need for specialized equipment or venues which makes it accessible for everyone to play. While sports like hockey are ingrained within Canadian culture, the sport of soccer continues to evolve and grow from coast to coast.
Yet, even with the growth of soccer across the country and its worldwide popularity, there’s a new and unique approach to the traditional way it’s played. The creation of events like Red Bull Four 2 Score has created a new twist on the sport, featuring players who can show off their skills in accuracy, creativity, and agility in a whole new environment.
With Red Bull Four 2 Score coming to Toronto on May 25, we dove into the history of soccer in Canada to highlight its evolution into the game we love today.
Participants at the Future of Football Cup 2023
© Tom Doms / Red Bull Content Pool
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The history of soccer in Canada
Soccer in Canada has a deep history that dates all the way back to the late 19th century, with the first-ever recorded soccer game taking place in 1876 in Toronto. The match featured the Toronto Football Club against the Hamilton Football Club and was the beginning of the sport planting roots across the country.
It wasn’t until the flip of the century that provincial and national governing bodies began to form. In 1912, the Dominion of Canada Football Association was founded, marking a major milestone of soccer being formalized in Canada, and it eventually evolved into what we know today: the Canada Soccer.
Competing against Canadian cultural sports like hockey, the popularity of soccer took some time to gain traction. However, with professional leagues becoming established and other important milestones along the way, the development of soccer in Canada was growing.
With participation rising, the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) launched in the 80s and helped pave the way for the creation of the Canadian Premier League (CPL) in 2019. Plus, the addition of several Canadian teams in Major League Soccer (MLS) only aided the growth of the sport in Canada.
Participants at the Future of Football Cup 2023
© Tom Doms / Red Bull Content Pool
Today, Canadian soccer is flourishing with different grassroots initiatives and an increased investment in several youth development programs. But perhaps one of the biggest contributors to the growth of soccer in Canada is the success of Canadian teams on the global stage.
The men’s national team has made leaps and bounds with a brand new generation of incredibly talented players emerging, leading to the first World Cup appearance for Canada since 1986 in 2022. On the other side, the women’s national team has grown into a juggernaut on the international stage, with one Olympic gold medal and two Olympic bronze medals, two CONCACAF Women’s Championships and World Cup appearances.
In many ways, soccer in Canada has only just begun. The future is bright with promising homegrown talent looking to solidify Canadian soccer on the international stage.
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The evolution of 4v4 soccer in Canada
Since traditional soccer is played with 11 players per side, the evolution of 4v4 soccer in Canada is relatively recent. The introduction of 4v4 soccer was a way to increase skill development by providing players with more ball touches and greater involvement.
Players can further grow their skills in shooting, passing, and dribbling, creating a more engaging and up close and personal version of a traditional soccer match. Canada Soccer and other provincial soccer associations have helped promote and implement various 4v4 initiatives across the country and it continues to gain popularity.
Participants at Red Bull Four 2 Score
© Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool
On the grassroots level, it’s become a fundamental component of player development with different tournaments and leagues, creating new opportunities for players to showcase their true talents while complimenting the traditional approach to the game.
And it’s not only Canada that has adopted and welcomed 4v4 soccer. It’s become a popular adaptation of the sport worldwide, and Red Bull has helped pioneer new and exciting opportunities with events like Red Bull Four 2 Score. These tournaments bring together masters of indoor soccer in unique and innovative formats.
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Red Bull Four 2 Score: How it works
The concept of Red Bull Four 2 Score is simple: teams of four face off against each other with no goalkeepers or breaks in 10-minute matches. Any goals scored in the first minute and last minute of the match are worth double, which can easily turn the game upside down. Scoring when it matters has never been more important.
Red Bull Four 2 Score tips to know
There’s a marked area in front of each goal where defending teams are not allowed to enter - if a player strays and crosses the line, the opposing team will be awarded a penalty. The best part? Games can be played on any type of surface: dirt, hard court, turf, or grass.
Having to defend without a goalkeeper, provide proper tracking and coverage of other players, take penalties and free kicks, and make dribbling as unpredictable as possible is a true testament to the skill and ability of each team’s players. There isn’t much room for error.
Participants competing at Red Bull Four 2 Score
© Najib Zouein / Red Bull Content Pool
The tournaments are played in three stages, with a group stage, a knockout stage, and a final. Winning teams are awarded three points in the group stage and both teams are awarded a point if there’s a tie.
There isn’t a penalty shootout or golden goal in the group stage, but there is a golden goal in the knockout stage. If the score is tied after 10 minutes, the golden goal will decide which team makes it to the next round.
So how does a golden goal work? Each team will select one player to play 1v1 until a goal is scored, only adding to the drama and excitement. Red Bull Four 2 Score is no ordinary soccer match.
Check out this video about Red Bull Four 2 Score:
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What is Red Bull Four 2 Score?
Ten-minute rounds, no breaks, no goalie – plus, scores during the first and last minute count as DOUBLE.
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Red Bull Four 2 Score is coming to Canada
You heard that right: Red Bull Four 2 Score is coming to Toronto, Canada for the first time ever on May 25, 2024.
To be eligible, you will need a team of five players maximum (four players on the pitch with an optional substitute player), be aged 16-35 years old, and live in Canada. Teams can be a mix of all genders and will compete in the national qualifier with the chance to make it to the national final. Winning the national final means your team will have the distinct privilege of representing Canada at the World Final.
Think you have what it takes to make it to the World Final? Here’s how you do it:
- Sign up for the Canadian national qualifier
- Compete, score, win, and make it to the national final
- Win the national final to make it to the Red Bull Four 2 Score World Final at RB Leipzig in Germany
You can find all the information you need to know about Red Bull Four 2 Score Canada by visiting the official event page. Think you have what it takes? Sign your team up today!
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