CBC inked a deal Wednesday with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment to broadcast the games of the Toronto FC – Canada’s first major league soccer club – for its inaugural 2007 season.

The Ceeb will broadcast 14 regular season games this year, including the team’s home opener on April 28 against the Kansas City Wizards. The deal also gives CBC exclusive Canadian broadcast rights to the 2007 MLS Playoffs and MLS Cup, as well as the All-Star Game. The agreement includes an option for CBC to broadcast additional games in the next three years.

In addition, cbcsports.ca will provide live and on-demand video streaming of all Toronto FC broadcasts on CBC this year.

As part of Toronto FC’s introductory marketing activities, several Toronto Transit Commission streetcars are currently sporting red wraps festooned with rah-rah-Toronto slogans.

This story first appeared in Playback Daily.