TORONTO — Albertans grew impatient … and creative.

Backed by decades of history, a pair of supporters groups have already produced a budding rivalry that figures to be one of the most attractive fixtures in the CPL’s inaugural season.

The “Al Classico” was born after Cavalry FC’s Foot Soldiers and FC Edmonton’s River Valley Vanguard (RVV) set aside their differences to organize a pair of friendlies between the two sides earlier this year.

“There’s no such thing as a friendly,” Cavs coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. told the Calgary Herald following the initial leg of a two-game exhibition series last year. “Especially when it’s a provincial battle like this one.”

So much for an Alberta soccer love-in. The two sides will meet at least five times in 2019.

“It’s always ‘anybody but Calgary; Edmonton over anybody’ – that’s the mentality we’ve used,” RVV’s Nathan Terlesky told CanPL.ca.

It’s the kind of mentality that should elevate soccer in the western province as the CPL’s introduction will foster the growth and creation of local rivalries across the country.

“This will be the premier rivalry in the CPL,” Terlesky added. “There has already been a ton of banter back and forth (between FCE and Cavalry fans).”

Private meetings, too.

A Foot Soldiers spokesman told CanPL.ca they’re in the midst of designing an Al Classico Cup that will travel up and down Hwy. 2.

“Just the ability to hop in a car and go and see an away game live is just so much better,” said the Foot Soldiers’ Sean Clarke. “We don’t have to manufacture (this rivalry). I think that’s huge.”

The Al Classico is just the beginning.

Representatives from both Alberta-based supporters’ groups turned to the CPL’s inaugural schedule this week to organize intra- and inter-province travel.

“We can now travel to support our team,” Terlesky said while reminiscing of FCE’s once-hectic NASL itinerary. “It’s not going to Puerto Rico or San Francisco.”

There will be trips to the Golden Horseshoe, where there’s also something brewing between Forge FC and York9 FC, two cross-GTHA clubs that will play at least five 905-Derby games virtually next door.

“Canada doesn’t really get that opportunity (in other sports),” answered Allan Gorman, spokesman for the Hamilton-based Barton St. Battalion.

The groups, Gorman added, recently organized a mini soccer tournament among the growing number of CPL supporters’ groups across southern Ontario.

“We said it would be a lot of fun when we hate each other a few years from now,” Gorman joked.

Meanwhile, places like Halifax and Winnipeg and Vancouver Island are pondering future rivalries based on the abundance of CPL interest across the country.

Commissioner David Clanachan has openly stated the league has heard from prospective ownership groups across the country.

“Halifax and St. John’s would be the most fun rivalry,” answered Privateers 1882 spokesman James Covey, reminding CanPL.ca, with a laugh, that Newfoundland “isn’t in the Maritimes.”

“I just feel like it’s two cities with their own individual personalities,” Covey continued. “We do have a history of Newfoundlanders coming here (to Halifax). We feel like counterparts, in some ways. I think that’s why it would be kind of cool.”

Out west, Pacific FC’s Lake Side Buoys are contemplating road trips to Alberta and, potentially, the opposite coast.

“We discovered it would be a 60-hour road trip to Halifax,” said Lake Side Buoys’ Tim Godwin. “We’re trying to figure out how many guys we can pile into a car and go out there.

“(HFX Wanderers) seem to think they’re kings of the hill. They’ve already chosen some kind of pirate theme for their supporters’ group. We might be having to challenge their domination of the seas.”

In Winnipeg, Red River Rising’s Adam Johnson envisions a day the CPL can own for itself – a Labour Day Classic, of sorts.

The CPL revealed this week its Spring season will end with simultaneous games on Canada Day.

“We don’t have any local rivalries next season, but we’re looking forward to the idea of a (closer rival) coming into the league in the future,” Johnson told CanPL.ca.

“That’s something we look forward to building. That local rivalry would help boost not just our group, but us travelling.”

Whether it’s looking ahead to cross-continent, cross-province or crosstown matches, CPL supporters are circling dates on the league’s inaugural fixture list, with some groups are already envisioning what the Canadian soccer landscape will look like in the next five to 10 years.