After proposals made in 1996 by the USL A-League to create an open cup competition within Canada failed to materialize the newly formed Canadian Professional Soccer League launched the CPSL League Cup in 1998 as the successor league cup to the Canadian National Soccer League's.[3] Though initially the tournament was restricted to CPSL member clubs plans were formulated for future participation of USL A-League Canadian franchises and the champions of the various top provincial leagues.[3] Eventually the league's objective would be reached in the 2003 Open Canada Cup as the tournament officially became open to all Canadian professional and amateur clubs in order to provide a potential candidate for the CONCACAF Champions' Cup.[4] The original format of the tournament was organized into a group stage with the two top teams advancing to the semifinals.[5]