Now that we Canadians have our own domestic league, will it help us to become a football nation in terms of becoming a power in the CONCACAF region? My answer then in that case is yes but only in the sense that it could help Canada get to more World Cups in the future being a perennial World Cup nation especially with the World Cup being expanded to 48 countries, but not necessarily a power. The league is already developing players which is what the purpose of the CPL is at least for now. However, they could always strive for more. There were probably journalists who in the 90s specifically in 1996 wondered when the MLS would turn the USA into a soccer power after its first games and when it would be as good as the English Premier League. Obviously it took years for all of that to happen. Before the US had the MLS, they were qualifying for World Cups perennially pre MLS but didn't have a domestic league per se yeah they had like the NASL until the MLS came along. As soon as the MLS did come along, at first the MLS was a developmental league well for American born players. Then you had an influx of foreign players from other countries coming to play in the MLS. I am talking all sorts of quality players like Valderrama, Donadoni, Cienfuegos, Campos, Etcheverry, etc, and the returning USMNT players. However, CPL is a league just starting out. Just a year in and for the most part has been successful. But I would say yes for now it is a domestic league but also a league for developing Canadian born players. But could it have more influx of foreign players coming in from other countries from here on out? I mean it already is, considering you have certain players already, from other countries playing there plus Canadian players. So back to the question, yes it could help us ultimately to become more of a footballing power but that probably won't be for decades at least but perennial World Cup nation then most definitely at least within our own region of CONCACAF.
For the next 25 years at least, the CPL will have two roles. One, will be to grow the game in Canada, by increasing the exposure of the game to Canadian fans and getting young players used to the idea of considering the career possibilities of playing the game. Secondly and more importantly, they will be marketing the better players to the big leagues around the world. The US national team is still dominated by players who play overseas. Our team will be in the same situation.
Just an FYI, there were North American leagues between the fall of the NASL and the rise of MLS. However, they didn't seem to have the same status as the NASL or MLS. In the early 90s, players could make a decent average working salary ($25-30K) playing year round in North America (indoors in the winter & outdoors in the summer). Also, prior to MLS, the US National team acted as a de facto professional team. Players were paid to only play for the US National team, and the team did play in a lot more friendlies and tournaments than it does now. Of course, the CPL will improve Canada's chances. Anytime that you can get more players exposed to a professional environment, it will improve the quality of play.