April 7th Edition

During a rainy week across the country, footy was a much-needed bright spot.

The Canadian Premier League kicked off its seventh season with a bang, CanWNT balled out against Argentina, and the Canadian women’s U-17 side booked their ticket to the World Cup in Morocco.

Plus, CanMNT reached their highest ranking EVER, their strikers continue to ball out and plenty more ahead in this week’s edition of The Northern Pitch.

In this week's edition:

• 🍁 Season 7 kicks off in the CPL

• 🇨🇦 CanWNT dominate Argentina at BC Place

• 🏆 Women’s U-17 qualify for 2025 U-17 World Cup

• 🌍 Canucks Abroad

• 🏡 Canucks at Home

• ✨ This week in NSL news

• 📰 In other news

CPL

🍁 Season 7 kicks off in the CPL

The Canadian Premier League’s seventh season kicked off on Saturday, delivering an incredible weekend with outstanding goals, huge saves and some thrilling matches between the league’s eight teams.

In the nation’s capital, the Halifax Wanderers came flying out of the gate, getting out to a 2-0 lead in before the 47th minute with goals from Giorgio Probo and Sean Rea. But in Atlético Ottawa head coach Diego Mejía’s debut, Atlético Ottawa fought back, and star man Atlético San Luiz loanee attacker David Rodríguez put on a masterclass to lead the comeback. He scored a goal himself, before substitute Aboubacar Sissoko equalized — with the thrilling contest ending 2-2. 

Then in Hamilton, it was a rematch of the 2024 CPL Final as eternal rivals Forge FC and Cavalry FC met for the 33rd time in the past seven years. Try as they might, Cavalry were unable to beat Forge goalkeeper Jassem Koleilat despite 24 shot attempts at the Hamilton club’s goal and some chaotic moments in the Forge box. Instead, Mo Babouli marked his CPL return to Forge with a beautiful headed goal to give the four-time champions an opening day 1-0 victory. 

Day one of the season concluded on Vancouver Island, where Pacific FC opened the season with flair in a 2-0 victory over Valour at home. Dario Zanatta opened the scoring for the Tridents, but it is Ronan Kratt’s unbelievable chipped volley from the top of the box which stole the headlines.

Then on Sunday in Langley in the final match of the weekend, York United blanked the Eagles of Vancouver FC 1-0. In 32-year-old Mauro Eustáquio’s coaching debut, his boys finally found their breakthrough in the 66th minute through Julian Altobelli’s goal, before adding a second in the 84th in a stunning York debut of his own. Callum Irving did his best to keep it close, as the VFC keeper made a stunning eight saves.

CanWNT

🇨🇦 CanWNT dominate in Casey Stoney’s first home game

As far as making a good first impression for your home fans, Casey Stoney’s CanWNT certainly did the job on Friday night at BC Place.

A dominant 3-0 victory over Argentina in a friendly could have easily been more, as Canada showed another impressive offensive performance. Jade Rose opened the scoring with her first goal for Canada in the 24th minute, and Nichelle Prince also got on the scoreboard in the 39th minute before hometown star Julia Grosso put the match to bed late.

Adriana Leon, meanwhile, was on another level. The meg count reached diabolical levels, especially on a run which ultimately led to Prince’s goal.

Canada remain undefeated under Stoney so far, after picking up two wins and a draw in the Pinatar Cup in February in Stoney’s Canadian coaching debut.

Next up, the CanWNT head out to Vancouver Island for a second friendly against Argentina at Starlight Stadium (10pm ET / 7pm PT on OneSoccer). Perhaps this match will serve as a better opportunity to get some of the young players in Stoney’s squad into the lineup.

CanWNT

🏆 Women’s U-17 qualify for 2025 U-17 World Cup

Despite a few scares in their final group game against Puerto Rico, the Canadian women’s U-17 team punched their ticket to the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco in October.

Canada only needed a draw in their final group game in the qualifying competition’s new format in order to qualify, but fell behind 1-0 just before half-time fully against the run of play. But in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, Joelle Bader replied with a stunning strike from distance.

A very impressive Puerto Rican team, however, did not quit and took a 2-1 lead in the 47th minute on a stunning strike of their own. But with their World Cup future hanging in the balance, Canada came through. Olivia Chisholm equalized, before AFC Toronto’s Kaylee Hunter gave Canada the 3-2 lead.

Canada began the competition with a 5-0 victory over Nicaragua before defeating Panama 2-0 and by winning their group were granted automatic qualification.

After failing to qualify for the 2024 tournament, this was a good level of redemption for the young group.

Canucks Abroad

🌍 Canucks Abroad

⬆️ CanMNT are ranked 30th. Canada have moved up in rank from 31st to 30th. Under Jesse Marsch, the CanMNT have risen from 49th to 30th ranked in the world. As Canada rise through the ranks, it establishes global legitimacy and players that are produced in Canada will be taken seriously. Wales are ranked 29th and Serbia are ranked 31st. Canada are among worthy neighbours.

👏 Jonathan David and Moïse Bombito in Best XI. Despite finishing third in the Nations League, there are silver linings. Two CanMNT players were featured in the competition’s best XI. It was no surprise that Jonathan David and Moïse Bombito have been recognized as among the best players in the Nations League.

🇺🇸 Tani Oluwaseyi bags another goal. Minnesota United travelled to Yankee Stadium to face off against NYCFC. In the opening minute, the CanMNT striker found the back of the net. This early goal has brought up Oluwaseyi’s tally to five goals this season. Minnesota United leave New York City with a 2-1 win over the home team.

Follow Canucks Abroad on Twitter, Bluesky and Instagram.

Canucks at Home

🏡 Canucks at Home

🐎 Cavalry FC signed Michael Baldisimo, Owen Antoniuk, Neven Fewster and James McGlinchey. Former Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Michael Baldisimo signed with the Cavs a one-year deal with an option for 2026. With club legend Charlie Trafford hanging his boots, Baldisimo is a worthy replacement. Cavalry have also signed U-Sports athlete Owen Antoniuk for the 2025 season. The Cavs have also signed two players to a Development Contract: goalkeeper Neven Fewster and midfielder James McGlinchey.

🔱 Pacific FC signed Yann Toualy and Daniel Zadravec. PFC signed former CS Saint-Laurent Yann Toualy to a one-year deal with an option for 2026. The 23-year-old forward was part of the Saint-Laurent squad that made it to the quarter-finals of the 2024 CanChamps. Goalkeeper Daniel Zadravec signed a short-term replacement contract versus Valour. Sean Melvin picked up an injury and PFC are in need for goalkeepers in the squad until Melvin’s return.

👑 Diego Urtiaga and Joshua Lopez signed with York United. Goalkeeper Diego Urtiaga has signed a one-year loan with the Nine Stripes from Atletico de San Luis. York United had also signed a development contract with 17-year-old midfielder Joshua Lopez for the 2025 season.

🔨 Forge FC welcomed five players to the squad. Hocé Massunda, Zayne Bruno, Maxime Filion, Amadou Kone and Dino Bontis have all been added to Forge’s squad. Attacker Massunda signed a regular contract for the 2025 season. Midfielder Bruno has signed an Exceptional Young Talent contract. Striker Filion, attacker Kone and goalkeeper Bontis signed U-Sports development contracts for the 2025 season.

🏟️ Atletico Ottawa signed Jason Hartill. Ottleti added another name to the roster by signing U Sports athlete Jason Hartill from Cape Breton University. The 21-year-old midfielder from Carleton Place, Ontario, signed for the 2025 season.

🌾 Valour FC signed Jevontae Layne. The Winnipeg club have signed the 23-year-old forward from Toronto Metropolitan University. Jevontae Layne signed for the 2025 season.

Follow Canucks At Home on Twitter, Bluesky and Instagram.

NSL

✨ This week in NSL news

🤩 Vancouver Rise at the JUNO Awards. The Rise’s Christine Sinclair, Shannon Woeller, and Quinn hit the JUNO’s carpet last weekend and had a run in with some of Canada’s biggest music stars.

🌆 AFC Toronto add Amanda West. Toronto may already have a pretty stacked forward group, but they added another weapon this week as the 24-year-old west joins them on loan from the NWSL’s Houston Dash. West, who has received a callup to the senior Canadian women’s national team, has 16 games of NSL experience, and one goal, after being selected 36th overall by Houston in last year’s draft.

🦸‍♀️ BUT WAIT, can we say NSL superteam? Toronto also signed local defender Sonia Walk. A Canadian youth international, Walk joins the club following four years in NCAA at Boston College.

📺 The More Than a League series continued with this week’s episode on Shaping the Game—on and off the field, featuring Steph Labbé, Erin McLeod and more!

Other news

📰 In other news

⚜️ Québec City is getting the Kelowna treatment. Last season, The CPL held their first “On Tour” series, where Vancouver FC and Cavalry FC faced off in Kelowna. This year, the game will be hosted in Québec City between York United and Halifax Wanderers on May 31st. The game will happen at Telus Stadium at the Université Laval. It feels like Québec City is one step closer to a CPL club.

📝 The CPL introduced new rules in 2025. Right before the 2025 season kick-off, the CPL have introduced new rules such as a salary cap boost, changes to incoming loans, changes to domestic player designation, and good behaviour incentives for both players and staff. Details of each change can be read here.

🌊 Whitecaps tied versus Pumas. Lights, camera, action. It has everything but lights. Despite the lighting mishap, it was a tight game with both sides evenly matched. The Whitecaps opened the scoring with Brian White’s goal in the 71st minute. Only for Pumas to equalize in the 86th minute with a banger. The game ended 1-1 with the second leg away at Pumas on April 9th.

🏟️ Vancouver Whitecaps to get their own stadium. Let’s be specific: the Caps are in talks with the City of Vancouver to build a new stadium on the PNE Fairgrounds. This is significant for two reasons: the Caps will own their stadium, and the Fairgrounds was the historic home of the club.

🔵 Jacen Russell-Rowe, take a bow. CF Montreal travelled to Columbus for their last road game before the home opener. CFM had a rocky start as CanMNT youth Jacen Russell-Rowe assisted in the 11th minute and scored a banger in the 26th. JRR was outstanding. The typically reliable defence for MTL had a rough night, but their attacking looked promising. Overall, they looked fine and narrowly walked out of Columbus with a draw. The game ended 2-1 for Wilfried Nancy’s Columbus Crew.

🌊 The Vancouver Whitecaps are still top of the West. We will address our bias: we like good football, and the Caps are playing the best football in Canada, if not, in all of MLS. We said it. This past weekend, Vancouver hosted the Colorado Rapids and dismissed the away side 2-0. Brian White found the net. Ali Ahmed assisted newcomer Emmanuel Saabi scored his first goal for the club. The Vancouver Whitecaps are in first place in the Western Conference with 16 points.

🔴 TFC draw with Inter Miami. In a thrilling Sunday showdown at Chase Stadium, Toronto FC's Federico Bernardeschi dazzled with a first-half stoppage-time goal, only for Messi to respond moments later with a record-setting strike. Despite chances on both sides, including near misses from Theo Corbeanu and Allen Obando, the match ended in a 1-1 draw.