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April 28th Edition
Whitecaps handle Miami at home, NSL matchweek 2 and more!
The Caps are closing in on a continental final.
After a stunning 2-0 victory over Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami on Thursday night, it’s advantage Whitecaps in the Concacaf Champions Cup semi-final.
It was also a week to celebrate in the nation’s capital and Halifax, both of whom played their first-ever NSL matches this weekend.
Plus, more home friendlies for CanWNT, Alistair Johnston is an assist machine and more in this week’s edition of The Northern Pitch.
In this week's edition:
Champions Cup
🏆 2-0. Where is Messi?
Danny Astefan / DARBY
Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba. No problem.
The Vancouver Whitecaps blanked Inter Miami 2-0 in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup semi-final on Thursday night in front of a record crowd of 53,837 at BC Place.
For all the rumours of relocation at the start of the year, the team’s quest to get a new stadium built and the replacement of a beloved manager, this team has stunned the region, proving time and time again that they are up for any challenge.
Brian Wright (because, who else really) opened the scoring with his fourth goal of the competition, and eleventh of the season, in the 24th minute. Sebastian Berhalter then called game after finishing off a lovely counterattacking movement created by substitutes Emmanuel Sabbi and Jayden Nelson.
As for Messi? He struggled to find any joy in this match. Just as he did on international duty for Paraguay in a victory over Argentina in World Cup qualifying back in November, Andrés Cubas did a brilliant job of shutting down the Argentine legend.
Now, all eyes turn to the second leg on Wednesday in Miami (8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on OneSoccer). The winner will take one of two Liga MX giants in the final, either Cruz Azul or Tigres. They drew 1-1 in their first leg on Wednesday, with Cruz Azul holding the aggregate advantage at the moment on away goals. Their second leg will be played on Thursday.
Things will not be easy for the Caps down in Miami for the second leg. In the quarter-final, LAFC had a 1-0 lead on aggregate heading on the road, and even scored first in the second leg. But three Miami goals later, two of which were from Lionel Messi and they were eliminated.
That is the minimum Miami will need in order to win Tuesday’s contest in regulation. If the score is once again 2-0, but this time for Miami, then it is off to penalty kicks. If the Whitecaps score even one away goal, though? Miami are in trouble. In that case, they would need four in order to advance, and to keep the caps from scoring any more.
It’s far from over, but Thursday was a dream start for the Whitecaps.
NSL
✨ Calgary go wild in Halifax’s inaugural match, Scott wins it for Rapid, and Roses bloom in Vancouver
Calgary Wild FC
Matchweek two and more history to be celebrated in the Northern Super League over the weekend.
On Saturday, Halifax Tides hosted their first-ever home game, but the Calgary Wild were in no mood to let them celebrate with a dominant 4-1 win. New Zealand international Meikayla Moore scored the first goal in Wild history just three minutes into the match, and Megggie Dougherty Howard added a second in the seventh minute.
Then it was the Kahli Johnson show. She scored a third for Calgary in the 26th minute, before completing her brace with a stunning chip from distance in the 82nd minute.
There was plenty to celebrate for Halifax, however, including a great crowd and their first-ever goal — scored by Québec’s Marika Guay. Professional women’s soccer has truly arrived on the East Coast.
Then, on Sunday in the nation’s capital, Ottawa Rapid made a statement in their first-ever match. Lee Min A’s incredible solo effort opened the scoring in the second half. The destroyer Desiree Scott’s first-ever professional goal, which she bundled over the line in the 81st minute, stood as the winner. 17-year-old Kaylee Hunter then scored AFC Toronto’s first-ever goal in second-half stoppage time — but it wasn’t enough to turn around the match.
In the final game of the weekend, the Vancouver Rise played their first-ever match at the iconic Swangard Stadium. After winning the league’s inaugural match at BC Place, this time it wasn’t such a great night for the Rise. Instead, it was the visiting Roses who dominated, with goals from Hailey Whitaker, Alexandria Hess and Latifah Abdu. Quinn scored the lone goal for the Vancouver Rise, their second consecutive penalty to begin 2025.
Canucks Abroad
🌍 Canucks Abroad
MLS
☀️ Ryan Raposo to LAFC. Former Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder has signed with LAFC, following the Maxime Crepeau route. After five seasons in Vancouver, Raposo has signed with the Black and Gold through 2025 with an option for 2026. We rate this move.
🏴 Alistair Johnston picked up the league title. Celtic travelled away to face off against Dundee United. As usual, Celtic steamrolled the opposition with a 5-0 thumping. AJ assisted Adam Idah’s goal in the 47th minute. This is the Canadian’s 11th assist of the season. With this victory, Celtic were crowned Scottish Premiership champions.
⚽️ Zorhan Bassong finds the net. Cincinnati hosted Zorhan Bassong and Sporting KC at TQL Stadium. It was a rough game for SKC as they were down 2-0 until the 89th minute, when Zorhan Bassong smashed the net with a shot in the box. The former CF Montréal fullback scored SKC’s only goal of the game.
Canucks at Home
🏡 Canucks at Home
Canada Soccer
🇨🇦 CanWNT to host friendlies in Winnipeg and Montreal. Canada Soccer have announced a couple of home games on May 31st and June 3rd. CanWNT will face-off against Haiti with the first game held in Winnipeg’s Princess Auto Stadium and the second game in Montréal’s Stade Saputo. Fun fact, Montréal is home to the largest Haitian community in Canada. If you’re looking for vibes, CanWNT vs Haiti at Stade Saputo will deliver.
Other news
📰 In other news
Osman Ahmed / DARBY
🔴 Toronto FC lose at home to NYCFC. It was an unlucky game. Both sides were evenly matched and it felt like this game was going to end in a stalemate. Both sides were struggling to finish their chances. However, an unlucky trip in the box from Kosi Thompson on NYCFC’s Alonso Martinez resulted in a penalty. The game ended 1-0 for the visitors.
🔵 Montréal still winless. It’s truly bittersweet. MTL travelled to New Jersey to play NYRB and left with a 1-0 loss. They played good football but there are no finishers. Marco Donadel made five changes to the squad as he prepares for MTL’s midweek CanChamp game against TFC. The team continues to be defensively sound while the midfield are creating decisive chances but that go unconverted. Defence may win championships but offence guarantees it.
🌊 The Whitecaps aren’t ever going to stop. The avalanche has picked up momentum and the ski resort is in trouble. The Whitecaps are picking up momentum with every victory. The Cap’s travelled to conference contenders Minnesota with Dayne St. Clair and Tani Oluwaseyi in the starting lineup. Let’s summarize Vancouver this way, Sebastian Berhalter with a banger, Pedro Vite with a brace and Ali Ahmed with an assist. Vancouver defeated Minnesota 3-1. Miami needs to start worrying because the Caps are coming in hot and looking to trigger Messi like that dude with the CR7 jersey.
⚓️ The Halifax Wanderers on a three-game winning streak. Valour tested Halifax’s defence all game and were effective in counter-attacks but couldn’t convert their opportunities. The introduction of Vitor Dias changed the rhythm in favour for the Wanderers. The link up play between Dias and Tiago Coimbra finally unlocked Valour’s defence. The Haligonians left Winnipeg with a clutch goal from Vitor Dias.
🏟️ Atletico Ottawa are the truth. Halifax aren’t the only team on a three-game winning streak. Ottleti travelled to Calgary to face-off against league champions Cavalry. It’s been a rough start to the season for the Cavs those tough times continued in their 3-1 loss to Ottawa. Cavalry played effectively but were unable to finish.
🔱 The BC Darby held to a draw. Vancouver FC hosted BC rivals Pacific FC to a 1-1 draw. Vancouver started the game with a goal from Nicolas Mezquida. VFC seemed poised to hold on to the lead for the rest of the until Kunle Dada-Luke’s red card spiced up the game. PFC took advantage and were able to equalize Aly Ndom’s goal in the 70th minute.
🔨 The battle for Ontario ends in a standstill. York United hosted CPL heavyweights Forge in the Ontario Darby. Forge opened the account with a scrappy goal in the box from Rezart Rama. Soon after, York United responded with a banger from Riley Ferrazzo and a penalty from Julian Altobelli in the 29th minute. Forge equalized three minutes later from a converted penalty by Brian White. Despite an exciting first half, the second half was an even game. At full time, the game ended 2-2.
🇬🇹 CF Montréal signed Olger Escobar. The club has signed the 18-year-old US-born Guatemalan international from New England Revolution for $125,000 in GAM and $50,000 in conditional GAM. The deal also includes a sell-on percentage if the attacking midfielder is transferred in the future. Yes, an attacking mid and not a striker. Nonetheless, Olger signed through 2027 with an option for three more years.
✅ Northern Picks
This week’s picks come from Paxton Phillips of Kahnawake Arrowhead FC, A women-led club in the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) community of Kahnawake. Established in 2021 with one team and a dream to grow the women’s game locally—now three teams strong and still growing.
📖 What to read
Read up on Kahnawake Arrowhead FC (formerly Kahnawake Senior Women’s Soccer)’s origin story and how they grew from one team in 2021 to a thriving program empowering Indigenous women through sport.
✅ Who to follow
Follow @kahnawake_arrowhead_fc on Instagram and Kahnawake Senior Women’s Soccer on Facebook to see what women’s soccer looks like in Kahnawake. From game days to community vibes to the slickest kits around, it’s grassroots football with a whole lot of spirit.
🛍️ What to buy
Kahnawake Arrowhead FC has fresh merch — think bold hoodies, limited-run tees, and community-rooted design. Supporting us means supporting Indigenous women in sport. Keep an eye on our socials for launch drops!