July 28th Edition

Koné to Italy, Buchanan to Spain.

Canadian ballers are on the move in Europe again this week during a critical summer window ahead of next year’s World Cup.

We break down all of those moves, plus a coaching change in Langley, a rebuild in Montréal, and more in this week’s edition of The Northern Pitch.

In this week's edition:

• 🇪🇸 Buchanan headed back to Spain

• 🔵 CF Montréal are ‘rebuilding’

• 📋️ A coaching change for VFC

• 🇮🇹 Koné to Italy?

• 🌍 Canucks Abroad

• ⚽️ MLS Recap

• 🍁 CPL Recap

• 🌌 NSL Recap

CanMNT

🇪🇸 Tajon Buchanan is headed back to Spain

One more huge off-season CanMNT question was answered this week, as Tajon Buchanan sorted out his club future.

The 26-year-old baller is headed back to Spain with Villarreal, where he spent the second part of last season on loan from Inter Milan. In 13 games with the Yellow Submarines in LaLiga last season, Buchanan had a goal and two assists.

The boost in form and confidence he got from that experience was clear for Buchanan, who was probably Canada’s best player this past summer between the Canadian Shield and Gold Cup tournaments. On his day, he can be an absolute game-changer for club and country, and this move will give him more opportunity to get back to his best.

Villarreal finished fifth in the table last season, which qualified them for the Champions League. Buchanan actually scored the goal which clinched them that spot in a 3-2 win over Barcelona late in the season.

Through injury and lack of opportunity, it never really worked out in Italy, but now Buchanan is ready for a Spanish revival.

MLS

🔵 CF Montréal are ‘rebuilding’

A letter to the people. It’s been another dramatic season for CF Montreal, when everyone thought the season will fizzle to a quiet end, it took a Game of Thrones-like plot twist and the club’s office published a letter to the public.

Recognizing the state of this season. Needless to say, it’s been a poor season and the club’s front office signed by President of CFMTL Gabriel Gervais, and senior directors Luca and Simone Saputo, sons of owner Joey Saputo, the intent of the letter is to display a level of transparency from the club’s leadership and their dedication to getting things on track. Notably using the word, “rebuild.”

Word of the week: rebuild. CF Montreal supporters are disenchanted and don’t believe in anything until it’s concrete. The idea of a rebuild is exciting but many fans view this letter the same way as one reacts to a late-night text from their ex promising that they’ve changed. Nonetheless, it is clear that the club’s heads have to do something to bring life back into the club.

The aim is 2026 and beyond. This season is a wash. The club will have to focus on a long-term project. CFM have already secured a transfer of Efraim Morales from Atlanta United. The 21-year-old comes highly rated from ATL’s youth system and plays for Bolivia’s national team. Rumours have also circulated that MTL and Bologna are interested in 17-year-old attacker, Moises Paniagua from Bolivian club Red Uno.

Isn’t this more of the same? On the surface, yes. Since 2020, the club has signed young and under-appreciated talents with the focus on development. With the eventual goal of making a profit from transfers. The question one has is, how long will they stay at the club? And can MTL lift silverware within that time?

Joey Saputo might be cooking something. Nilton Jorge has reported that Joey Saputo had been spotted speaking with staff for an hour. Something that has seldom occurred. As pointed out by Jorge, the last time this had occurred, it resulted in the arrival of Didier Drogba. Ears are perked.

CPL

📋️ A coaching change for Vancouver FC

The Afshin Ghotbi era in Vancouver is over as the Eagles announced a coaching change this past week.

The team at the bottom of the CPL standings mutually parted ways with their only ever coach in club history, as Ghotbi had managed Vancouver FC since their inception, hired back in November 2022.

However, the team continuously failed to produce results, missing the playoffs in their first two seasons as a club and very much on track to do so again this year.

So, change was needed, and in steps Martin Nash in an interim role. The 49-year-old former Vancouver Whitecaps captain and York United FC head coach (and Steve Nash’s brother) knows the league inside and out, and is a great choice to stabilize the ship.

Unfortunately, his coaching debut with Vancouver FC this weekend showed how much work he has to do as they lost 3-1 to seventh-place Valour FC at home.

Vancouver begin a search for their next head coach, one that includes Nash, who will get the first crack at staking his claim to the role.

CanMNT

🇮🇹 Koné to Italy?

Sassuolo want a Canadian. And after missing out on Tajon Buchanan, the Serie B champs look ready to move on to Ismaël Koné.

The 23-year-old looks set to join the club on loan from Marseille, with whom he has had a rather public falling out with head coach Roberto De Zerbi. The deal reportedly includes a 10 million euro obligation to buy should the club not be relegated.

Koné spent the second half of the season with Rennes, where he scored twice in 13 matches.

Hopefully, he find his love for the game again in Italy, because no Canadian midfielder has his talent. It might be a difficult season for a club expected to battle near the bottom of the table.

Still, if he can find consistent minutes at what is probably the highest level he has played yet, it could be a big chance for him to take a step forward as a player.

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Canucks Abroad

🌍 Canucks Abroad

🌹 Christine Sinclair inducted into Thorns’ Hall of Fame. We start this week off with the GOAT adding another honour to a (well-deserved) lengthy list of plaudits. The Portland Thorns, where Sinc spent her entire 12-year NWSL career, announced that their #12 would be the first player inducted into their Hall of Fame, with a ceremony to be held on October 4. Flowers for the 🐐.

🇸🇦 Carmelina Moscato back in the hot seat. Another former WNT legend was part of a surprise Monday morning announcement. Carmelina Moscato, who led Nordsjælland and Tigres before joining Racing Louisville as an assistant coach, was named the next head coach of Al-Qadsiah WFC in the Saudi Women’s Premier League.

🇳🇱 Charles-Andréas Brym signs with NAC Breda. NAC Breda clearly see something in Brym. The Eredivisie club triggered his transfer clause, scooping him from relegated side Almere City just six months into Brym’s two-and-a-half year deal. The CanMNT forward’s new deal is for three seasons plus an additional club option year.

🇳🇱 Ruben Silva-Richards joins ADO Den Haag on loan. Elsewhere in the Netherlands, another young Canadian seems poised for a shot at the professional first-team level. 21-year-old striker Ruben Silva-Richards joins the Dutch second division club on a season-long loan from Estoril’s U23s.

👑 Liam Fraser joins Reading. Liam Fraser will be remaining on the far side of the pond for the next two seasons. The former TFC midfielder becomes the first Canadian to play for the League One club since Junior Hoilett’s stint from 2021 to 2023.

🔨 Shelina Zadorsky re-signs with West Ham. Just down the M4 and on the other side of London, the current WNT defender re-upped with the Hammers this week. Zadorsky, who was out of contract after last season, was a potential free-agent target for NSL clubs looking to make a big backline statement.

🤘 Clarissa Larisey swaps Crystal Palace for Houston. Staying with the WNT, another Canadian winger has landed in the NWSL. The Dash, who’ve consistently rostered Canadians in past seasons — including Allysha Chapman, Devon Kerr, Nichelle Prinec, Sophie Schmidt, Amanda West — added Larisey after paying an undisclosed fee to relegated Crystal Palace.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Luc de Fougerolles, off to Belgium? LDF’s next steps are becoming clearer. Fulham-based freelance journo Jack Kelly teased that the CanMNT centreback will be heading out on loan to Belgium with a loan move “close”. This was after Foug missed out on a first-team friendly against Nottingham Forest. The Athletic’s Joshua Kloke later added that the mystery club could be FCV Dender, based on past interest.

🇧🇪 Nathan Saliba scores in his JPL debut. For all the turmoil that CFMTL exports to Europe have faced, there’s finally a bright spot. Nathan Saliba marked a week of two debuts — one European, and one domestic in Belgium — with a goal in the latter as Anderlecht beat Westerlo, 5-2, in their season opener. Saliba, understandably, was très content, with his family even in the stands to see it.

🇸🇪 Matteo de Brienne picked up an assist. Flash continues to Go Zoom in Sweden this week. MDB picked up yet another assist, to go with his goal last week, as GAIS secured a 3-0 win and clean sheet against Halmstad. The win also saw a superb overall performance from MDB.

😢 Lucas Cavallini sidelined again. Lastly, not all news this week could be good news. Puebla confirmed this week that El Tanque, who missed the last 12 months due to an ACL tear, is set for another long spell after re-tearing his right ACL just two games into his comeback. We hope to see Lucas back sooner rather than later.

Follow Canucks Abroad on Twitter, Bluesky and Instagram.

Major League Soccer

⚽️ MLS News & Recaps

🔵 CF Montreal finally earned three points. Yes. They won away from home against New England Revolution. Maybe this is where the rebuild starts. CFM played convincingly and with intent and determination. Prince Owusu notched his 10th goal of the season with a banger, and Dante Sealy followed with a top bins goal. The win was sealed with a final goal from the 2025 Gold Cup Best Young Player, Olger Escobar, ending the game 3-1. It was Escobar’s first MLS goal. MTL needs more performances like this.

🔴 Toronto FC handed another L. The boys in red travelled to North Carolina to play against Wilfried Zaha and Charlotte FC. TFC played well in the first half and created key goal scoring opportunities but were unable to finish. Charlotte had no problems finishing their chances in the 60th and 65th minute. The game ended in a 2-0 defeat for TFC.

🌊 Vancouver Whitecaps back to scoring ways. The Caps hosted 13th placed Sporting KC. The Caps were gliding on the pitch and looked energized when attacking Sporting’s backline. Vancouver end the game with a 3-0 dub with goals from Emmanuel Sabbi, J.C. Ngando and Mathias Laborda. The Caps are only one point behind first placed San Diego.

🏆 Leagues Cup on deck. The Leagues Cup is back for 2025, with some changes. Most notably, both Toronto and Vancouver won’t be included this time around, with Montréal the only Canadian team represented. The competition format has also changed, with MLS and Liga MX teams competing within league-specific tables for Phase One. TFC and the Whitecaps will have the next two weeks off with MLS returning on August 9, while CFMTL faces off against León, Toluca and Puebla in the first phase of the competition.

🌊 Thomas Muller to Vancouver? The Whitecaps are in talks with the 2014 World Cup winner, however it won’t be straightforward. FC Cincinnati hold Muller’s Discovery Rights. Meaning, they have first dibs to negotiate with the Bavarian. If the Caps are serious about Muller, they must negotiate with FC Cincinnati. Cincy are reportedly asking more than $400,000. Muller initially wanted a move to LAFC but the club are now fixed on Son Heung-Min. Before Caps fans get excited, there are a lot of moving parts if Vancouver really want Thomas Muller.

This week’s Leagues Cup fixtures:

Tuesday, July 29
CF Montréal vs. Club León (7PM ET @ Stade Saputo)

Friday, August 1
Deportivo Toluca vs. CF Montréal (9PM ET)

Canadian Premier League

🍁 CPL News & Recaps

⚒️ The Forge train is not slowing down. The five-time CPL champs travelled to Halifax and gave us an entertaining battle against the Wanderers. Forge opened their account with a ridiculous screamer from outside the box from Ben Paton. The ferocity of that shot was mind boggling. HFX responded in the 23rd minute with a chip from Ryan Tefler after converting an insane assist from Lorenzo Callegari. Forge would have the last laugh as they ended the game 2-1 with a header in the 88th minute from Maxime Filion. This was a great game.

🦅 It’s getting depressing for Vancouver FC. VFC hosted Valour and were handed a 3-1 defeat by the away team. However, the game was even until Valour’s second goal in the 66th minute by Gianfranco Facchineri. Kris Twardek killed the game with a close range half volley in the box. One silver lining for Vancouver, Elage Bah is a baller.

👑 York United hold the line. This matchup continues to give us moments of all sorts. On the field, this game was decided by a first-half Julian Altobelli goal. York hunkered down to deny Cavalry, racking up a whopping 33 clearances by the time the final whistle blew for a 1-0 finish. More though, was the donnybrook after the final whistle that resulted in a red card for Ali Musse.

1️⃣ Atlético Ottawa reclaim top spot. Forge’s grasp of the league lead lasted less than a weekend as the visitors dispatched Pacific. For the first hour, it seemed like Pacific might escape with a valuable point at home, being under pressure for most of the first half. The Ottleti machine woke up at the hour mark though, as both Sam Salter and David Rodríguez scored to hand the hosts a 2-0 defeat.

This week’s CPL fixtures:

Tuesday, July 29
Valour FC vs. Cavalry FC (7PM CT @ Princess Auto Stadium)

Saturday, August 2
Forge FC vs. Valour FC (7PM ET @ Hamilton Stadium)

Sunday, August 3
Atlético Ottawa vs. York United (4PM ET @ TD Place)

Monday, August 4
Halifax Wanderers vs. Vancouver FC (4PM AT @ Wanderers Grounds)
Pacific FC vs. Cavalry FC (3PM PT @ Starlight Stadium)

Follow Canucks At Home on Twitter and Bluesky.

Northern Super League

🌌 NSL Recap

🌄 Vancouver Rise get the last laugh. NSL action travelled west to east this weekend, starting with Vancouver hosting AFC Toronto. AFCT got the party started early, catching the Rise in possession for an Kaylee Hunter open-net finish. That party only lasted a few minutes though, as Samantha Chang struck back twice in the rest of the first-half for a 2-1 Rise win.

🪽 Set-piece glory for Ottawa Rapid. This one was a bit of a cage match. Anika Tóth once again stood on her head as Ottawa struggled to beat the Tides’ goalkeeper with effort on effort pushed wide. It wasn’t until the visitors were faced with a clever routine off the training ground, just minutes before the end of the first half, that the Halifax backline finally broke, netting Ottawa a 1-0 result.

🌹 Montréal Roses close in on the leaders. With AFCT losing to start the weekend, the Roses were handed an opportunity to make up ground with the first of two games in hand on their rivals. And make use of that opportunity they did, as before the Calgary Wild knew what hit them, both Latifah Abdu and Tanya Boychuk scored to make it 2-0. The Roses would nurse that lead home through the final 80 minutes to take the win.

This week’s NSL fixtures:

Saturday, August 2
Halifax Tides vs. Montréal Roses (3PM AT @ Wanderers Grounds)
Calgary Wild vs. AFC Toronto (2PM MT @ McMahon Stadium)
Vancouver Rise vs. Ottawa Rapid (4PM PT @ Swangard Stadium)