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February 3rd Edition
Canadian club footy is back, Tajon to Villarreal & AFC Toronto mean business
Canadian club footy is back!
For the first time in 2025, a pair of Canadian clubs will be in action this week as Forge and Cavalry host matches in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Playing against some of the giants of the region in Monterrey and Pumas, respectively, could either of them pull off a wild upset?
Plus, Tajon Buchanan is headed to Spain, AFC Toronto made some more impressive signings, and all the biggest headlines in this week’s edition of The Northern Pitch.
In this week's edition:
Concacaf
🏆 Forge & Cavalry face Liga MX giants in Concacaf Champions Cup
CPL
The 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup kicks off this week, and a pair of Canadian clubs feature in the first few days of fixtures.
On Wednesday, Forge FC make their third appearance in the competition, and third against a top Mexican club, facing five-time Concacaf Champions Cup winners CF Monterrey. Forge will be hoping for an absolutely frozen snowy day at Hamilton Stadium for leg 1, and looks like they will be getting their wish with temperatures expected to be around -7 Celsius at kickoff.
But the Hamilton club will still be heavy underdogs. Monterrey is currently being heavily linked with Sergio Ramos, which should tell you everything you need to know about how big of a club Rayados are at this point. Their squad includes Argentine international Lucas Ocampos, Mexican legend Héctor Moreno and Ramos’ former Spanish international teammate Sergio Canales. Plenty of talent to watch on a Wednesday night in Hamilton if you feel so inclined to attend.
Then, on Thursday night, Cavalry FC play host to Pumas UNAM (10 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. MT). For the second straight year, due to weather, Cavalry play their home match at Starlight Stadium in Langford, BC — home of the CPL’s Pacific FC. This is the first time Cavalry have played against Mexican opposition in an official match, and will be a big test for the 2024 CPL champs.
Pumas, who were the runners-up in the 2022 Concacaf Champions Cup, losing to the Seattle Sounders, are one of the most popular clubs in Mexico and have a squad full of Mexican internationals. Their squad also includes Canadian youth international Santiago López, who after making a couple of appearances off the bench in the league over the past few weeks could be in line for a starting opportunity against the CPL side.
The third Canadian team in this competition, Canadian Champions Vancouver Whitecaps, don’t play their first leg until February 20 during the second competition window for this tournament. They take on Costa Rican champions Saprissa.
CanMNT
🇪🇸 Tajon Buchanan headed to Villarreal
Villarreal CF
Tajon Buchanan is a yellow submarine. On Saturday, TJ finalized a loan agreement with Villarreal after getting minimal game time at Inter this season following a return from a leg injury suffered while on international duty with Canada at the 2025 Copa América.
They’ve already given the 25-year-old the number 9 shirt, which is a good statement of intent about what the club believes the Canadian international can do in yellow. The 1 million euro loan deal comes with an option to buy, reported to be 13 million euros. Fairly pricey, but if Buchanan can prove himself to be a key player for a club making a push for European football he might have found a new permanent home.
It all comes at an important time for Buchanan, who is a key player for the Canadian men’s national team heading into this summer’s tournaments and of course the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Getting his confidence back in La Liga would go a long way toward getting him back to his best — as one of the country’s most dynamic attacking talents.
This is a positive move for Buchanan. The Spanish club currently are in fifth place in La Liga and known to produce or scout top talents. Former Villarreal talents include Juan Riquelme, Diego Forlan, Santi Cazorla, Gerard Moreno and Giuseppe Rossi.
NSL
⭐️ AFC Toronto mean business with more signings
AFC Toronto
If the NSL season started today—and we are just over 70 days away from that becoming a reality—AFC Toronto have to be considered the favourite.
They’re building an impressive squad including League1 Ontario Golden Boot winner Jade Kovacevic, South Korean international Hong Hye-ji, NWSL defender Croix Soto and Canadian international Emma Regan, among others. This week, they made a couple more splashy signings.
The most headline-grabbing is that of Victoria Pickett, who joins AFC Toronto on a season-long loan from the North Carolina Courage. The 28-year-old midfielder, who has three caps for the senior Canada team, has been a mainstay in NWSL over the past four seasons. She will instantly become one of the most recognizable stars in this league.
A signing that could still be more significant is that of 17-year-old striker Kaylee Hunter. The Canadian youth international baller made the surprising decision to join AFC Toronto, despite being a member of the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite for the past two seasons.
With 20 goals in 26 matches in all competitions for the Caps over the past two seasons, and 8 in 6 for Canada U-17, Hunter is one of the most exciting upcoming ballers in the country.
There is still time for other clubs to make some big signings that shift, but right now it is clear that AFC Toronto mean business, and are going to come out of the gates in this new league as instant championship contenders.
Canucks Abroad
🌍 Canucks Abroad
Vancouver FC
🇧🇪 Grady McDonnell is officially a Canuck Abroad. After twelve months in Vancouver, the 17-year-old talent has signed with Club Brugge’s academy club NXT. McDonnell’s transfer to the Belgian club has set the record as the CPL’s second-highest outbound transfer. Despite this fact, the transfer fee has not been officially released by both clubs. One source suggests that the youth was sold for 350k euros plus add-ons with a sell-on clause.
🏴 Olivia Smith started the year with a bang. The DARBY Magazine cover star started 2025 with soaring colours. She has been nominated for WSL Player of the Month for January. The nomination comes in as a result of her two goals in two games.
👀 Ismaël Koné wanted by Werder Bremen and Valencia. With Roberto De Zerbi publicly announcing that Koné does not fit in his squad, the CanMNT midfielder has attracted suitors. Earlier this week, Fabrizio Romano, Werder Bremen and Valencia are keen on a loan deal for Ismaël. As of this past weekend, Fabrizio updated that list, including Serie A club Fiorentina and Ligue 1 side Rennes. Romano emphasized that Stade Rennais appeared to be the favourite to land Koné’s loan spell. Both clubs are great options for development, but at the end of the day, it is about game time.
🏴 Jamie Knight-Lebel scored. The CanMNT youth found the back of the net in Crewe Alexandra’s matchup against AFC Wimbledon. The Canadian defender found the back of the net from a set-piece play, making it his third goal of the season.
🇫🇷 Jonathan David had a good week. Midweek, Lille dispatched Dutch side Feyenoord 6-1 in the Champions League. JD found the back of the net against Feyenoord in the 74th minute. In Ligue 1, David converted a penalty a penalty in the 32nd minute and assisted in the 63rd minute against Saint-Étienne. Enjoy that chill guy-like music on that JD highlight.
🇧🇪 Promise David notched one from the spot. Continuing the trend of Davids scoring penalties this week, Promise found his 12th of the season for Union Saint-Gilloise with the opener in a 2-1 win over St. Truidense.
🇮🇹 Evelyne Viens contributed an assist. the CanWNT has been having a good couple of weeks as she contributed to another goal with an assist in the 56th minute against Sampdoria. Roma defeated the away side 4-0.
🏴 Jayde Riviere assisted against Tottenham. In the sixth minute, Jayde Riviere assisted with a cross, and Elizabeth Terland finished it with a superb volley in the box.
Canucks at Home
🏡 Canucks at Home
CF Montréal / MLS
🔵 Victor Loturi to CFMTL. Bleu-Blanc-Noir have buffed up the midfield with the signing of Victor Loturi from Ross County FC. The Canadian midfielder comes into the team with European experience and will add creatively in the middle of the park. Something that CFM have been lacking. For Loturi, this may be an opportunity to regularly showcase his talent and make a case of his spot in the CanMNT or to earn a move back to Europe with a bigger club.
🌊 Ali Ahmed wanted in Europe. Montréal is not the only club exporting players to Europe. Vancouver may not send a lot of Europe, but the ones they do become one of Europe’s best. The Vancouver Whitecaps have reported that Ali Ahmed has been attracting interest from the English Championship, Bundesliga and Serie A. Could Ali follow in Phonzy’s footsteps? We hope so, but also no pressure. We want him to enjoy his football.
🗽 Raheem Edwards to New York Red Bulls. The New York Red Bulls have signed the former MTL fullback through 2026 with an option for 2027.
⭕ Nathan Ingham is training with San Diego FC. Atlético Ottawa’s number one had some photos snapped with the MLS newcomers this week. Ingham, who previously also trained with fellow Atlético sibling club San Luís, signed a two-year extension with the capital club at the start of last season.
⭕ Atlético Ottawa also tease a new signing. Ingham’s stint on the west coast isn’t the only news this week. The club are seemingly set to kick off their annual Soccerlude celebration with a new arrival, thanks to a teaser late Sunday evening.
Other news
📰 In Other News
Halifax Tides FC
🌊 Halifax Tides signed Milly Clegg. The Tides have made history as the first club to sign a player on a loan deal from a NWSL club. The New Zealand forward joins Halifax from Racing Louisville FC.
🔵 CF Montréal signed Hennadii Synchuk. MTL continues to move heavily in the transfer market by signing another midfielder from second-division Ukrainian club Metalist Kharkiv. The 18-year-old attacking midfielder has signed a U22 Initiative deal that will see through 2028 with an option for 2029.
🌹 Roses de Montréal unveiled their future home stadium. Specifically, Roses have unveiled the first-ever professional women’s soccer-specific stadium. The future venue will be built in Centre Sportif Bois-de-Boulogne in Laval. The recently renovated sports complex is already home to the club’s training facility. The stadium will be able to hold 5,581 supporters along with premium seating.
🐎 Cavalry has released its new home kit. Ahead of the Champions Cup competition against Pumas, the Cavs have released their 2025 home kit. A clean red kit with a seven-stripe sash represents the club's seven years.
🔴 Toronto FC 2025 kit leaked? Noah Allen, on X, shared a supposed leaked TFC kit on the racks of a store. The shirt was also seen on the shelves at Toronto’s Eaton Centre by Waking The Red.
🏔️ BC Place to host Vancouver Rise opener. According to Canadian Soccer Daily, Vancouver Rise are exploring the possibility of hosting its first home opener at BC Place. If so, let’s make it a sell-out crowd.
✅ Northern Picks
This week’s picks come from Jamie Becker. Jamie is the founder of Worldie Football Club, a producer and host at Soccerdotcom, and a kit obsessive. His life revolves around kicking ball.
🛒 What to buy
If I’ve got some extra cash laying around I typically look to Village Soccer Shop, A Store like 94’, Tiffozi, The Football Boutique, and Golaco Kits. As I mentioned before, I love a good kit. I’m lucky enough to have created a relationship with all these folks in the past few years through collecting. Next time you’re looking for a kit or a niche footy item, go to them!
🎧 What to listen to
I’m a huge rap and R&B fan. Some of the my favorite artists as of late are Tems, Leon Thomas, Leon Bridges, and SZA. If you have some time listen to “YES IT IS” by Leon Thomas. That’s how I start most days driving to work.
✅ Who to follow
Maciej Herda, he’s a footy kit mad genius, the founder of Crossbar, and one of my favourite follows footy-related and friends. He’s authentically himself and his work speaks for itself. It’s insightful and purpose driven, if you’re ever in Chicago, stop by one of his pop-ups!