Dylan Carreiro and Valour FC will be tackling a competition within a competition this spring when the inaugural Canadian Premier League campaign kicks off.

The midfielder hopped on TSN 1290 Wednesday to talk about the league’s schedule release, the upcoming preseason and the CONCACAF League qualifying matches that comprise a jam-packed Spring schedule.

Valour, Forge FC and FC Edmonton will compete for a spot in the continental competition. The double-whammy games begin with Valour’s May 4 home opener against the Eddies.

“May 4 means a lot more to us than just the opening game of the season — it’s an opportunity to compete in another tournament for us,” Carreiro explained. “Speaking to some of the other players, they seem excited to hopefully get that (CONCACAF League) spot.”

Valour FC’s Dylan Carreiro on TSN 1290 Winnipeg’s Donvito Roundtable. You can listen to the full interview here.

Carreiro will join his Valour teammates at training camp next week as the two-month formal preparation period for CPL clubs begins.

The 24-year-old was asked about the one-of-a-kind situation of coming into a team with no existing roster, regular starters or existing environment.

“The more competition you have, the harder you’ll work in training,” Carreiro said. “The good thing is we have two months of the preseason … We can slowly get our fitness levels up for the season. It’s also a good chance to familiarize ourselves with one another and how (head coach Rob Gale) wants us to play.

“I think Rob has done a great job (building the roster). He has brought in players that know what he expects and what he wants. It’s just about bringing the other guys in and becoming more of a team and understanding how we’re gonna play.”

Carreiro was drafted second overall by Valour in last fall’s inaugural CPL-U SPORTS Draft. The former York University midfielder previously spent time with Toronto FC’s youth program, Dundee FC in Scotland and League1 Ontario’s Woodbridge Strikers.