The 2022 Challenge Trophy (French: Trophée Challenge 2022, part of the Toyota National Championships for sponsorship reasons) was the 98th edition of the Challenge Trophy, an annual cup competition contested by amateur teams in men's Canadian soccer. Nine teams played in the tournament, which took place in Vaughan, Ontario, from 5–10 October 2022.[1]
Ottawa Gloucester Celtic won their second Challenge Trophy, defeating Edmonton Green & Gold Edmonton Green and Gold 2–0 in the final.
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.[2]
For the 2022 tournament, ten provincial associations confirmed their participation. New Brunswick's Fredericton Picaroons withdrew from the tournament in September 2022, leaving nine provincial representatives.
Competing teams are divided into two groups, playing against one another in a single round-robin and advancing to the final round based on their group positioning.
The preliminary schedule was announced by Canada Soccer on 9 August 2022 without kick-off times, and were later confirmed on 29 September 2022.[14][15]
Tie-breaking criteria for group play
The following criteria shall be used to determine the final standings:[2]
Most 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.
The final round (known as Teck Finals Day for sponsorship reasons) pairs equally-ranked opponents from opposite groups to determine a final ranking for the tournament.
^"Canada Soccer Announces Hosts of the 2022–24 Toyota National Championships". ontariosoccer.com. Ontario Soccer Association. March 22, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2022. In 2022, Charlottetown, PE will host the U-15 Cup, Surrey, BC will host the U-17 Cup, and Vaughan, ON will host the Jubilee and Challenge Trophy competitions.
^McColl, Michael (May 17, 2022). "BB5 United CCB win back-to-back BC Provincial A Cup titles after hard fought victory over FC Tigers". Away From the Numbers. Retrieved August 17, 2022. For the first time since 2013, we have back-to-back Provincial A Cup champions here in BC. BB5 United CCB repeated their triumph from three years ago, the last time the competition was able to be played, with a 3-1 victory over FC Tigers at a soggy Swangard Stadium in Burnaby on Sunday afternoon.
^"Edmonton Green & Gold Wins 2022 Alberta Cup Men's Provincial Championship". canadasoccer.com. Canadian Soccer Association. September 5, 2022. Retrieved September 6, 2022. Edmonton Green & Gold won their third men's Alberta Cup provincial championship on Monday 5 September with a 2:1 victory over Edmonton Scottish SC.
^"Royal-Sélect Beauport win their eighth Québec Cup Men's Provincial Championship". canadasoccer.com. Canadian Soccer Association. September 11, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022. Royal-Sélect Beauport won the 2022 Québec Cup men's provincial championship on kicks from the penalty mark after a 3:3 draw in the Sunday 11 September Final with the Rapides de Chaudière-Ouest.
^"Fredericton Picaroons Reds Win 2022 New Brunswick Men's Provincial Championship". canadasoccer.com. Canadian Soccer Association. August 13, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022. Fredericton Picaroons Reds won the 2022 New Brunswick men's provincial championship after a 3:1 win over CS Dieppe Sparx on Saturday 13 August. The one-match playoff was organised after both sides finished even on points in the New Brunswick Premier Soccer League. With the win, Fredericton Picaroons Reds qualified for Canada Soccer's 2022 Toyota National Championships in Vaughan, Ontario.
^"Suburban FC Wins 2022 Nova Scotia Men's Provincial Championship". canadasoccer.com. Canadian Soccer Association. August 14, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022. While Suburban FC are provincial champions, runners up Halifax Dunbrack SC will represent the province at Canada Soccer's 2022 Toyota National Championships in Vaughan, Ontario. Suburban FC had already declared their intent to miss this year's national competition because many of their players would be unavailable during the Atlantic University school season.
^"Holy Cross FC win their 23rd Newfoundland Labrador Men's Provincial Championship". canadasoccer.com. Canadian Soccer Association. September 4, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2022. With the provincial win, the former national champions Holy Cross FC qualified for Canada Soccer's 2022 Toyota National Championships in Vaughan, Ontario.
^"Champions Division 1 - Stratford Varsity (SW) and Lone Oak FC (SM)". peisoccer.com. PEI Soccer Association. August 17, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2022. On the mens side, Jared Murphy scored four goals to lead his Lone Oak side to victory over Goodfellas from the WC Royals FC club.
^"Vaughan Grove". footballgroundmap.com. Football Ground Map. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
^"Canada Soccer announces schedule for the 2022 Toyota National Championships". sirc.ca. Sport Information Resource Centre. August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022. The final schedule for the Toyota National Championships will be released mid-September after all the clubs have qualified through their provincial playdowns.