Happy Family Day to half of the country, and to the other half, Happy Monday!

Like us, you might be locked in on the winter games, and maybe missed a few stories in what was actually a pretty important week for Canadian footy.

But don’t worry, because as always we’ve got you covered here at the Northern Pitch. Ahead, a new deal between the CSB CSME and Canada Soccer, Concacaf Champions Cup rolls on, Marcelo Flores is Canadian and plenty more.

One of the most confusing and contentious chapters of Canadian footy was hopefully put to bed this week with the signing of a new 12-year-deal between Canada Soccer and the CSME. The deal includes look-ins every three years to make sure it is accurate to market value.

In a helpful act of transparency, a summary of the deal was published online for the public.

Formerly known as CSB before a rebrand late last week, Canadian Sports Media & Entertainment are hoping to leave all the bad press that followed their former name in the past. The new deal, which encompasses Canadian Soccer marketing, media rights and partnerships among other portfolios, is being hailed by both parties as a game-changer for Canadian Soccer.

Canada Soccer will get more guaranteed money out of this deal, which is huge for a program that not long ago—albeit under a former regime—was rather publicly using the word ‘bankruptcy’.

The CSME, meanwhile, can make clearer assurances to prospective partners that the Canadian soccer ecosystem will fully benefit from any funding. The biggest thing, there are incentives for overall growth, so the bigger the pie, the bigger slice each gets—which wasn’t directly the case with the last deal.

More than anything, it seems that there is finally good faith and alignment between these two important players in the sport in this country. In a World Cup year, the hope is that corporate Canada, the government, and many other power players will follow this lead and invest in Canadian soccer.

A week to forget for Canadians in the Champions Cup, but let’s talk about it anyway.

On Tuesday, Forge FC—who had so much promise after a 0-0 home draw that gave them a slight advantage heading into El Vulcán against Tigres—saw their Champions Cup hopes combust late against the Liga MX giants.

As Bobby Smyrniotis pointed out, Tigres have the luxury of going out and signing a $5 million dollar striker between legs from Club América. He may be an active Uruguayan international, and he may score two goals against you. Still, Forge had a shot when Brian Wright brought it to within one from the penalty spot.

But Tigres were ruthless in the final minutes, regaining a two-goal lead about 30 seconds later, from World Cup winner Angel Correa (assisted by Canadian Marcelo Flores, more on him later) and added a fourth before all was said and done.

An even more forgettable night took place on Thursday at Estadio Cuauhtémoc, where defending champs Cruz Azul ruined another Vancouver team’s trip to Mexico, beating Vancouver FC soundly, 5-0. This one wasn’t close.

The good news for Canadian footy fans is that last year’s Concacaf finalists, the Whitecaps, begin their tournament on Wednesday night when they travel to Costa Rica to play Cartaginés. CPL Champs Atlético Ottawa, meanwhile, play their first-ever continental match against Nashville SC on Tuesday. They play that in Hamilton, however, due to construction at TD Place.

It’s officially official.

Marcelo Flores filed his one-time switch, and Canada have another dangerous attacker—one who has a skillset unlike anything else in the player pool.

Not only that, but they got him at a heck of a time. In his third season with Tigres in Liga MX, the Georgetown-born 22-year-old is playing some of the best footy of his career.

During the Clausura, he already has three goals, and an assist in the Concacaf Champions Cup. A smooth-dribbling and creative attacker with good instincts around the goal, he will be a big weapon for Jesse Marsch whether starting or off the bench.

Flores is now expected to make his Canada debut during the March window in Toronto. What his role looks like exactly, and whether or not he’s a lock for the World Cup squad, remains to be seen.

But make no doubt, this is a big recruit, and a player who could be a difference-maker for Canada on the biggest stage.

The last friendly before the World Cup. Canada Soccer has announced its final preparatory match before the 2026 World Cup. This friendly came with an exciting opposition in Ireland.

This match could mean more as the Irish are fighting for a spot a UEFA spot in Group A. If they qualify for the 2026 World Cup on March 31st, this friendly between Canada and Ireland will truly feel like a World Cup game.

When it was announced that MTL would not participate as a WC host took everyone by surprise. Especially being home to the Stade Olympique, Canada’s largest sporting venue. Why? Renovations are expensive, and that roof is a forever headache. Over $870-million in renovations.

Montréal will have a taste of the World Cup. This friendly week before the World Cup will give Montrealers a taste of what the tournament will be like. Moreover, the Irish community have a deep history in Montréal. So much so, they are represented on the municipal flag. This game will be a symbolic match for the city.

Dress rehearsal before the show. For Jesse Marsch and the boys, this is the culmination of the “Road to 2026.” This is the perfect opportunity to give the team a sense of what lies ahead in the opening match at BMO Field. A final match before home supporters will set the tone for what to expect from both players and fans.

The match will kick off on June 5th, at 19:30 / 7:30 PM at Stade Saputo.

Most of us don’t need another routine. We just need something that works. AG1 Next Gen supports gut health, fills common nutrient gaps, and helps maintain steady energy with one daily scoop. Simple, fast, and easy to stick with. Start with AG1 today and get bonus Travel Packs in your Welcome Kit.

Get started today

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 More Olivia Smith magic. Goals come from seemingly nothing when Liv is on the pitch. She scored her second goal in as many matches in the UWCL midweek, adding to Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Leuven in the round of 16.

🇧🇪 Promise David scores. It was a good week for Canadians in the Belgian Cup, starting with PD. Promise opened the scoring for Union Saint-Gilloise just 12 seconds into their semi-final against Charleroi on the way to a 4-1 win and a berth in the Final.

🇧🇪 Nathan Saliba scores. And in that Final, it’ll be USG vs Anderlecht — and Promise David on Nathan Saliba, after the capital club picked up their own 4-0 victory over Antwerp. Saliba struck similarly inside the first minute in that win to set up the all-Canadian matchup.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Cyle Larin from the spot. Cyle’s confidence is back. He led the line for Southampton in their FA Cup matchup against Leicester on Saturday, and helped Saints to a 2-1 win in extra-time over the Foxes with a finish from 12 yards minuets before half-time.

🇩🇪 Alphonso Davies assists. Davies’ return from injury continues to come along. He came off the bench on Friday to provide for Leon Goretzka on the final goal in a 3-0 win over Werder Bremen.

Follow Canucks Abroad on Twitter, Bluesky and Instagram.

🔻 Lukas Macnaughton to St. Louis. The 30-year-old free agent CB has found a new home with St.Louis City. The former Pacific FC and Toronto FC defender has signed through June 2027 with an option for the 2027-2028 season.

🔵 CF Montréal signed Noah Streit. CFM have signed a 20-year-old Swiss youth international from FC Basel. The forward has signed through 2028-2029, with an option for 2029-2030. The deal includes FC Basel retaining a percentage of any future transfer fee.

🐂 Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty for Wikelman Carmona. The former TFC wing-back has been traded from MTL to the New York Red Bulls in exchange for attacking midfielder Wiki Carmona. JMR is seeking more game time, and NYRB is offering it. While Carmona, a Venezuelan international, bolsters MTL’s attacking midfield, Bryce Duke has left the club as a free agent for San Diego FC.

🎽 New kits have been released. All MLS clubs have dropped their newest kits ahead of the 2026 campaign. All Canadian clubs have released their away kits. If we’re being honest, TFC’s away kit is clean but is giving York United vibes. The Whitecaps kit is similar to last year’s away jersey, but the sleeves and neck are nice. CF MTL has a digital style with blue stripes on a white background. Overall, all the kits are chill.

Follow Canucks At Home on Twitter and Bluesky.

🇳🇴 Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson leaves for Norway. The 29-year-old Swedish defender leaves Forge after seven seasons and four CPL championships. Achinioti-Jönsson leaves Hamilton for Raufoss IL in the Norwegian top division.

🦝 Inter Toronto FC signed three players. The Nine-Stripes have signed Juan Cordova, Carlos Guzman and Sebastian Gonzalez. Canadian defender Cordova returns to the club after spending a season in Chile’s top flight and is guaranteed through 2026. Mexican defender Carlos Guzman joins Inter Toronto through 2026 with an option for 2027. Inter Toronto have bolstered its attack with the signing of Gonzalez, who will be with the club for 2026 with an option for 2027.

🦖 Atletico Ottawa added two forwards. Ottleti have added two forwards in the name of Kamron Habibullah and Erling Myklebust. The Whitecaps academy graduate and former Pacific FC baller returns to the CPL after a stint in Sweden’s second division. Norwegian forward Myklebust joined Ottawa on a free transfer after playing for OBOS-Ligaen in Norway’s second division.

🐴 Cavalry FC added two players on multi-year deals. Defender Curtis Ofori and forward Nathaniel Edwards have signed through 2027 with an option for 2028. 20-year-old Ofori joined Cavalry from MLS club New York Red Bulls. 23-year-old Edwards arrives in Calgary from Toronto FC.

⚜️ FC Supra signed Diyaeddine Abzi. Supra continue their policy of signing Québecois players with the acquisition of Abzi. Who was born in Morocco and moved to Montréal at age 9. The former York United fullback returns to Montréal after spending a season in France’s Ligue 2 club FC Pau.

🔱 Pacific FC signed Bul Juach. PFC have bolstered their attack with an exciting Australian baller in the South Sudanese-born Bul Juach. In 2025, the Aussie has scored 29 goals in 40 appearances in Australia’s National Premier League (second division). Juach has signed on through 2026 with an option for 2027. This is perhaps the most exciting signing of the off-season.

Follow Canucks At Home on Twitter and Bluesky.

This week’s FanDuel fan of the week is Isikalu. We spoke with the up-and-coming Nigerian DJ this week for What’s it to Ya? You can read the interview here.

🦉 Calgary Wild signed two players. Midfielder Alexandria Hess and goalkeeper Molly Race are now Calgarians. Hess joined from Montreal Roses. For Molly Race, it is a homecoming for the Calgary-born keeper. Race returns to Calgary after spending time with FC Nordsjælland in Denmark’s top division.

🌊 Halifax added three more to its roster. Katherine “Kat” Jordan, Cho So-Hyun, and Naya Cardoza have all signed with the Tides. Midfielder Jordan joined the Tides after playing at Columbia University. Korean international midfielder Cho came to Halifax with a lot of excitement. The South Korean midfielder is regarded as one of the best international players, with 156 senior appearances. Canadian-born, Jamaican international defender Cardoza joined the Tides after playing for Brown University.

Follow Canucks At Home on Twitter and Bluesky.

Be the smartest person in the room. 1440 navigates 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive, unbiased news roundup — politics, business, culture, and more — in a quick, 5-minute read. Completely free, completely factual.

Sign up now!