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August 4th Edition
Thomas Müller joins the Whitecaps, Fougerolles to Belgium, CF Montréal in Leagues Cup and more.
The Space Invader is coming to Vancouver.
After 17 seasons with Bayern Munich, Thomas Müller is signing with… the Vancouver Whitecaps. Why? How? We have no idea, but it’s one of the biggest signings in Canadian soccer history, and a game-changer for the Caps both on and off the field.
Plus, Luc de Fougerolles is the latest Canadian in Belgium, CF Montréal in the Leagues Cup and plenty more ahead in this week’s The Northern Pitch.
In this week's edition:
MLS
🌊 Müller is a Whitecap
Fabrizio Romano
A year before the World Cup comes to Vancouver, a World Cup winner is joining the Whitecaps.
Thomas Müller, the German legend, is set to be announced by the Vancouver Whitecaps in a stunning signing that is among the biggest ever made by a Canadian club.
Müller, 35, has had one of the best careers of anyone in World football, period. A 2014 FIFA World Cup champion, a World Cup Golden Boot winner in 2010, a 13-time Bundesliga champion, a two-time UEFA Champions League winner — to name just a few of his storied accomplishments.
He spent the past 17 seasons with German giants Bayern Munich, and has made more appearances for them than any other player.
He is expected to join the Whitecaps on a TAM deal, one that will turn into a Designated Player contract next season. Have to imagine Alphonso Davies played a big role in this one. For a team that is up for sale and seemed in trouble to start the year, this is yet another huge dub in a series of them this campaign.
Reports are that Müller could make his debut as early as August 17 at home against the Houston Dynamo. The Whitecaps are currently one point behind San Diego FC at the top of the Western Conference, and this move definitely secures their spot as among the MLS favourites.
CanMNT
🇧🇪 Luc de Fougerolles is Dender bound
FCV Dender
Another Canadian is headed to Belgium this week. Fresh off signing a new deal with Fulham FC, 19-year-old central defender Luc de Fougerolles is joining FCV Dender on loan.
Dender finished 12th in the table during the league phase, just narrowly above the relegation round on a tiebreaker. As such, De Fougerolles should see a lot of playing time against some very good attackers (and fellow Canadians Promise David and Nathan Saliba).
He made his debut this week in a 1-1 draw with Standard Liège, putting in a strong performance where he won 10 of 14 duels, made four clearances, and completed 40 of 45 passes.
Was this the right move? The Whitecaps had been linked as well. It’s a good league, even if it’s not a top club, and De Fougerolles will get plenty of experience, but it is probably not a spot where he will push Moïse Bombito and Derek Cornelius much for a starting spot at the 2026 World Cup.
Still, getting consistent first-team football, something he hasn’t done yet in his career, should easily get him a spot on the plane. Let’s not forget that this weekend he made only his second ever first-team football appearance, after starting a cup match for Fulham last season. Long-term, this could be just the experience he needs to eventually break through with the Premier League side.
MLS
🔵 CF Montréal in Leagues Cup
CF Montréal
So far, it’s been a mixed bag but not totally disappointing. CF Montreal picked up a dub against Club Leon and a loss against Toluca. Despite the mixed results, CFM displayed some decent football. Something that was needed throughout the season. Are these results enough to go to the next round? Likely not.
Here’s a refresher on the Leagues Cup format. 18 teams from MLS compete against 18 teams from Mexico’s Liga MX. In the group stage, three games are played, with the top four teams in each group qualifying for the knockout round. A win is three points, a win from penalty shootouts is two points, and a loss from penalties is one point. For Montréal, they have two points thus far.
A confidence-boosting dub at home against Club Leon. Let’s get this one truth out of the way: James Rodriguez is a beast. His assist to set up Leon’s first goal was vintage 2014 James. However, CF MTL kept fighting until the end. The team looked hungry for a win and were playing effective football. Despite MTL missing a lot of chances in the second half, the team did the job and won in the penalty shootout. They needed this win.
A close game away at New Jersey against Toluca. The win against Club Leon carried over into their second fixture. MTL’s latest signing Efraim Morales set the tone by scoring the first goal of the game, and his first goal for the club on his debut. Things went south quickly shortly after, with Toluca scoring two goals in the 23rd and 26th minutes. MTL were handed a 2-1 defeat, but their performance was admirable as Toluca was clearly the better team.
Bad day in the office for Fernando Alvarez. The Colombian defender was impressive against Leon but had a bad time against Toluca. He gave away a pass that led to the first goal and was given a red card for dissent after the final whistle.
One more game for CFM in the Leagues Cup. Bleu-Blanc-Noir will host Puebla on Tuesday. The Mexican side are currently sixth in their group. If somehow, all other MLS clubs drop points and Montréal gets a three-point dub, they may have a chance to qualify for the next round. That is a big and optimistic maybe. But reality dictates that they will not qualify.
Prince Owusu is winning over Montreal supporters. Lately, he’s been impressive. The former TFC striker has been bagging in goals every other game with 11 goals in 25 MLS games. As his performance has gone up, so has his character. This particular moment against Toluca is what fans want to see.
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Canucks Abroad
🌍 Canucks Abroad
MNUFC
🇩🇪 Alphonso Davies is back in training. It’s not full good news yet, but positive signs nonetheless. Phonzie was on the pitch this week at Säbener Strasse, Bayern Munich’s training facility, getting his first reps since his ACL tear back in March. Bayern sporting director Max Eberl said to the media on Friday that the club hopes to have Davies back by the end of the year.
🇧🇪 Kwasi Poku scores in pre-season. Poku was also back in action this week, after missing out the final portion of last season with a hip injury. He scored the final goal for RWDM in a 4-0 split-squad win over KV Mechelen.
🏴 Cale Loughrey signs for Hamilton. No, not the one you’re (probably) thinking of. The former Forge, FC Edmonton and Halifax defender’s European journey continues after a stint in Romania. Loughrey has joined the Scottish side on an amateur deal. Amateur, because the club are currently under a transfer embargo for unpaid debts.
🟢 Vermont Green, champions of USL League Two. Canadians Victor Akoum, Nathan Simeon and David Ajagbe were all on hand and in the squad as Vermont Green lifted the USL League Two trophy as undefeated national champions on Saturday. Judewellin Michel and Amoni Thomas also played for the Green this summer, just 60 klicks from the Canadian border.
🍁 Other CanCon in Leagues Cup. Thomas Hasal helped LAFC to two points against Pachuca on Saturday, coming up with the crucial stop on Alan Bautista’s deciding effort, even taking inspiration from Steph Labbé’s smile at Tokyo 2020. Tani Oluwaseyi was also at his best, scoring the opener against Club América — his second in Leagues Cup against Liga MX opposition.
🏴 A goal and an assist for David Wotherspoon. Spoony’s exploits have returned to Inverness. The veteran midfielder was at his best for ICTFC in a 3-0 win over Kelty Hearts, picking up an assist on the second and scoring the third of the day.
🇫🇷 Florianne Jourde makes her PSG debut. Okay, sure, it was a friendly, and sure, the result wasn’t PSG’s best. But, they all still count for something, as Jourde pulled on the PSG shirt for her first match, a 2-1 defeat to Lens in preseason.
🇺🇸 NWSL is back and Canadians are assisting. The NWSL returned from its international break this week with a full seven-game slate. Julia Grosso helped lead things off on Friday, assisting on Chicago’s goal in a 1-1 draw against Gotham. Jessie Fleming later helped bookend the weekend with the lay-off (after a nice spin move) on Portland’s goal in a 2-1 loss to Gabby Carle’s Washington.
Canadian Premier League
🍁 CPL Recaps
CPL
🎖️ Valour vs Cavalry came to a spicy end. The Winnipeg club handed Cavalry a 2-1 defeat in Manitoba, with both of their goals coming from corner kicks. Drama ensued towards the end of the game as Cavalry’s latest signing Goteh Ntignee was given a red card after a bad foul. Valour’s Eleias Himaras was given a second yellow as a result of the incident.
⚒️ The Forge train is becoming a runaway train. Can they be stopped? Will they be stopped? Who can stop them? Not Valour. The Hammers handed the Winnipeg club a 5-0 defeat in Hamilton. Molham Babouli, Tristan Borges and Nana Ampomah were completely unplayable. It is up to Ottawa to slow this train, but Forge’s momentum is unreal.
🟰 Stalemate at TD Place. Brick wall? That’s what York’s backline might as well have been, as they shutout Ottawa for a second time; the only team alongside Halifax to have done it even once this season. With Ottleti unable to solve the Nine Stripes, and York themselves not all that interested in attacking, the 0-0 draw here sent Forge to the top of the table.
2️⃣ Two more matches to go this week. There’s still more to come on Monday too, in the CPL. The Natal Day clash in Halifax is back, with Vancouver FC this time the visitors in what has generally been a classic in years gone by. Pacific also welcome Cavalry to Starlight Stadium for the first time this season in the final game of the weekend.
This week’s CPL fixtures:
Monday, August 4
Halifax Wanderers vs. Vancouver FC (4PM AT @ Wanderers Grounds)
Pacific FC vs. Cavalry FC (3PM PT @ Starlight Stadium)
Saturday, August 9
York United vs. Forge FC (1PM ET @ York Lions Stadium)
Cavalry FC vs. Halifax Wanderers (3PM MT @ ATCO Field)
Sunday, August 10
Valour FC vs. Atlético Ottawa (2PM CT @ Princess Auto Stadium)
Vancouver FC vs. Pacific FC (3PM PT @ Willoughby Community Park)
Northern Super League
🌌 NSL Recap
Northern Super League
🌹 Roses concede points in Halifax. Tides hosted second-placed Roses de Montréal and held the game to a 1-1 draw. Latifah Abdu opened the game with her 6th goal of the season, but despite drawing first blood, Tides were the dangerous ones. Halifax kept pushing and eventually earned a goal after a mistake by Roses’ keeper Anna Karpenko.
1️⃣ AFC Toronto are still in first place. Calgary Wild hosted AFC Toronto, and this game had an exciting opening 20 minutes. The Wild opened the game in the 8th minute Meikayla Moore. Toronto responded with two goals in the 13th and 19th minutes, scored by Kaylee Hunter and Emma Regan, respectively. The game ended 2-1 for AFC, and they are now three points clear of second-placed Roses de Montréal.
🏔️ A six-goal thriller went down in Vancouver. The Rise were at home against Ottawa Rapid in a back-and-forth goalscoring exchange. For all those in attendance, they have witnessed perhaps the most exciting match of the season. This game had six goals, which included screamers, individual brilliance and last-minute goals. The goals that stood out in this 3-3 result were from Quinn, Holly Ward and Kayla Adamek. Overall, great game.
This week’s NSL fixtures:
Saturday, August 9
Montréal Roses vs. AFC Toronto (1PM ET @ Stade Boréale)
Ottawa Rapid vs. Calgary Wild (4PM ET @ TD Place)
Halifax Tides vs. Vancouver Rise (7PM AT @ Wanderers Grounds)
Northern Picks
📺 What to watch
Loan Life (YouTube series): Crystal Palace gives fans a chill, behind-the-scenes look at Academy players out on loan—new clubs, new challenges, real stories. Watch here.
✅ Who to follow
Follow Far Out FC on Instagram for sick kits, cool vibes, and a love for footy that’s all about community and creativity. @faroutfc