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July 7th Edition
Jonathan David to Juventus, Ashley Lawrence to Lyonnes, CanWNT fall to USWNT & more.
It was a big week in the summer transfer window for Canadians, with two of the country’s biggest stars making significant career moves.
Jonathan David’s future is finally set, as he joins Italian giants Juventus, while Ashley Lawrence is back in France, this time with Lyonnes after two seasons with Chelsea.
Plus, CanChamp is back in action, the CanWNT got taught a lesson and more in this week’s edition of The Northern Pitch.
In this week's edition:
CanMNT
🇮🇹 Jonathan David is a Bianconeri
Juventus
It finally happened, the rumours are over, Jonathan David has joined a new club.
The 25-year-old who is Canada’s all-time men’s leading goalscorer is taking his talents to Turin, joining the Old Lady of Juventus after five seasons with Lille in Ligue 1.
A lot of teams were linked with the Iceman, from the top leagues in the World, but it is Juventus who were finally able to secure his signature on a five-year contract.
He joins the country’s most successful club, who are 36-time Serie A champions, and two-time European champion. However, they have finished no higher than third over the past five seasons since their last championship, and were fourth last season. They will still be in the Champions League next season, but will be looking to return to the summit of Italian football.
Juventus are looking to revamp the club. The Bianconeri have not been the same in the past five years considering they have won nine Scudettos between 2011/2012 to 19/20 seasons. The club views JD as an pivotal part of their new project as rumours of their current striker, Dušan Vlahović, is being courted by Al-Hilal.
Why not England? If you can unlock Italian tactics and defending, you can perhaps unlock anything. Perhaps Italy is a stepping stone into the Premier League. Or maybe the football influence is slowly shifting from the Premier League back to Serie A. Prior to the 2010s, the best league in the world was in Italy.
All debates aside, we’re just happy. Iceman, become the first Canadian to gain the respect of the Italians. That is no easy feat, but he can do it.
CanWNT
🇫🇷 Ashley Lawrence to OL
OL Lyonnes
Ashley Lawrence is back in France, but this time she’s headed to Lyon.
For seven seasons, Lawrence was a key player for PSG in the French top division, helping them to reach a UEFA Champions League final in 2016-17 and win the French league in 2020-21.
But the real top dogs in France have always been Lyon, who recently rebranded to OL Lyonnes under owner Michele Kang. That PSG title in 2020-21? That was the only time in the past 19 seasons that it wasn’t Lyon who won the title.
They have also won a record eight UEFA Women’s Champions League and 10 Coupe de France Feminines. This is one of, if not the top club in the World, and now they have a Canadian again after Vanessa Gilles departed this off-season, and Kadeisha Buchanan joined Chelsea in 2022.
Lawrence herself had a decent spell at Chelsea, winning two FA WSL titles with the club. But a bit of fresh scenery could be key ot her reaching the next level, and on a three-year deal with Lyonnes they clearly trust her quality.
CanChamp
🏆 Four big matchups in the CanChamp quarters
Canadian Premier League
This week, eight teams still competing in the 2025 Canadian Championship will be cut down to four. The second leg for the quarter-finals of the 2025 competitions goes on Tuesday and Wednesday on OneSoccer, with all to play for in each of the four series — especially with no away goals in this year’s tournament.
The action begins on Tuesday night in Toronto, where York United look to fight back from a 2-1 deficit against Ontario rivals Atlético Ottawa at York Lions Stadium (7 p.m. ET).
Later that night, CPL champs Cavalry host Vancouver FC, with their semi-final currently tied 1-1 (9:30 ET / 7:30 p.m. MT).
Then on Wednesday night in Montréal, Forge look to eliminate CF Montréal for a second consecutive year as they lead that series 1-0 (7 p.m. ET).
Finally, Vancouver Whitecaps continue their quest for four as they host Valour at BC Place (7 p.m. PT), after the Winnipeg side stunningly held them to a 2-2 draw in leg one.
Valour, VFC, and Atlético Ottawa have never reached the Canadian Championship semi-finals, so there could be history this week. What is almost always guaranteed in this competition, there will be drama, and expect some stunning results and performances.
CanWNT
🇨🇦 Canada outclassed by USWNT
OneSoccer
Any time you get an opportunity to play against the top team in the world, it is a great chance to see where you are at as a team.
Unfortunately for the Canadian women’s national team, playing the USWNT at Audi Field in Washington D.C. on Wednesday night was a harsh lesson that they have work to do in order to compete with the world’s best.
In the end, it was a 3-0 loss for Canada, but they were perhaps lucky it wasn’t a lot worse. Outshot 22-7, and with just 34 per cent possession, Canada were straight up outclassed by their neighbours to the south.
After the match, Canadian manager Casey Stoney didn’t mince words, saying that they were “miles off” the United States, and going on to say that she needs to have more of her players playing consistently at their clubs, because they were not fit enough to compete with the American team.
To make it worse, this wasn’t even really the American A squad, as a lot of their stars were missing. A humbling result and performance to say the least.
The good news, there is plenty of time to set things right, with a World Cup still two years away. Also, the young guns keep balling — especially Holly Ward. The vets better shape up, because the next gen is looking to show out over the coming years.
Canucks Abroad
🌍 Canucks Abroad
Hibernian FC
🏴 Junior’s new deal. Jonathan David wasn’t the only CanMNT forward whose name starts with a ‘J’ to sign on a dotted line this week. Hoilett, who just turned 35 last month, agreed terms on a new one-year deal with Hibernian. That faith was repaid immediately in a friendly against Ajax after a magical effort from Junior.
🏴 David Wotherspoon returns to Inverness. Hoilett, in turn, wasn’t the only Scottish connection abroad. Spoony will once again grace ICTFC’s home ground of Caledonian Stadium after featuring for the club during the first half of the 2023-24 season, penning a deal for the season with the Scottish League One side.
🏴 Owen Goodman and Aribim Pepple on the move. Both CanMNT eligibles picked up contracts with EFL League One sides as well, with Goodman joining Huddersfield and Pepple linking up with Plymouth Argyle. Pepple’s move in particular could bode well for Cavalry FC, receiving a sizeable sell-on fee per Transfermarkt’s Manuel Veth.
🌍 Deals on the continent. A few more players also joined new clubs in Europe this week. Former Halifax Wanderers midfielder Armaan Wilson moved up in Finland’s top flight with SJK, while Nikola Curcija will serve as the backup for NK Osijek in the Croatian first-tier this upcoming season. Simon Colyn’s time at De Graafschap is seemingly at an end with the midfielder seen training with the Eredivisie’s Excelsior Rotterdam.
🇫🇷 Luka Boiteau equalizes against Lens. If Luka Boiteau’s name isn’t one you know, it might be time to familiarize yourself with his game. The U17-capped midfielder plays for French third-tier side US Boulogne, and scored an equalizer this week against Ligue 1’s RC Lens in a friendly. Boiteau is a top prospect, and we can see why.
🇺🇸 Tani assist time. It wasn’t quite a Goal-uwaseyi moment but a helper nonetheless. Oluwaseyi played a perfect knock-down on Michael Boxall’s long throw-in to help the Loons past Dallas, 2-1, on the Fourth of July. Dayne also had a solid rebound from the Gold Cup, making five saves in the win.
Major League Soccer
⚽️ MLS Recap
/ DARBY
🦩 The Messi circus rolled into Stade Saputo. Are we hating on Miami? Not really—though maybe just a touch. The hype around Messi’s arrival somehow outdid last season’s spectacle. Fans cheered every warm-up touch and pass. Can we blame them? Of course not. If you came in skeptical, you left a believer. The match had it all: an early goal from Prince Owusu, clinical finishes from Tadeo Allende and Telasco Segovia, and a Messi brace. Another loss for MTL, but we witnessed greatness.
(Breaking the fourth wall here, even as a proud CF Montréal supporter, it was a privilege to watch Messi in person. The magic we grew up seeing on screen was right in front of us, and it left us in awe. – Gisoo)
👋 Toronto FC say ciao to Insigne and Bernadeschi. The week we all woke up to news of TFC mutually parting ways with Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernadeschi. TFC had the second highest salary budget in the league and but have not qualified for playoffs last season and are 13th placed in the Eastern Conference. The money spent does not align with results. This has forced the TFC front office to rethink recruitment and financial practices. Meanwhile, Saputo-owned Bologna has landed Bernadeschi as a free agent. CF MTL fans must be tilted.
☀️ The Whitecaps melted in LA. The Caps fantastic start to the season has been slowing down in the current mid part of the season. Vancouver were without key players Ali Ahmed, Ryan Gauld, Sam Adekugbe and Brian White agains LA Galaxy. Despite Jayden Nelson’s return, the CanMNT winger picked up a red card in the 46th minute. The game ended in a 3-0 defeat for the Whitecaps.
🔴 TFC’s first game without the Italian duo. Toronto travelled to Yankee Stadium to face-off against NYCFC without Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernadeschi. The Boys in Red were handed a 3-1 L against the home side. With how this season was going, with or without the Italians, it would have likely ended with the same result.
This week’s MLS fixtures:
Saturday, July 12
Whitecaps vs. Colorado Rapids (6:30 PM PT @ BC Place)
Canadian Premier League
🍁 CPL Recap
Halifax Wanderers FC
⚓️ Halifax hosted Valour in a Canada Day special. The Haligonians hosted the Winnipeg club at Wanderers Ground on July 1st. Perhaps a perfect day to go watch a footy game. In a nearly sold out stadium, the Wanderers defeated Valour 3-1 with three clutch goals from Tiago Coimbra and Vitor Dias to solidify the dub in the second half.
🔨 Forge FC are creeping back to the top. The Hammers hosted Vancouver FC and defeated the away club 2-1 in a surprisingly tight game. VFC brought the game to Forge with dangerous attacking plays and creating pivotal chances that could have changed the game. However, Forge’s quality came to the forefront with strong chance creations and better finishing.
🏴 Halifax Wanderers U21 defeated Wrexham U21 at Wanderers Ground. Halifax Wanderers are playing in the 2025 International Series against AFC Wrexham in a three game match. Each club’s U21 team will play in Halifax, Charlottetown, and Saint John. The Haligonians defeated their Welsh counter-parts 3-0 at home. The next game at Prince Edward Island will kick-off on July 9th.
This week’s CPL fixtures:
Saturday, July 12
Atlético Ottawa vs. Forge FC (3PM ET @ TD Place)
Pacific FC vs. Halifax Wanderers FC (3PM PT @ Starlight Stadium)
Sunday, July 13
York United FC vs. Valour FC (6PM ET @ York Lions Stadium)
Vancouver FC vs. Cavalry FC (6PM PT @ Willoughby Community Park)
Northern Super League
🌌 NSL Recap
Halifax Tides FC
⚓ Big shake ups in Halifax. That’s right. A new (interim) head coach, player arrivals and even some mascot drama, the east coast was the place to be for NSL news as the international break came and went this week. We’ll start with the big one…
📋 Welcome back to Halifax, Stephen Hart. After a slow start to the season, the Tides have decided to bring the Lewis Page era to an end after just eight games. Page moves over to guide the creation of the Tides’ Academy, and in his stead, former Halifax Wanderers head coach Stephen Hart will take the reins on an interim basis. Hart arrives from a consulting role with the Portland Thorns, under another fellow former CPL manager in Rob Gale.
⚽ Tides strengthen with two. Harty wasn’t the only addition made by the Atlantic club. Halifax also announced the loan signing of Amanda Allen from the NWSL’s Orlando Pride and a permanent homecoming for Mississauga-born Jamaican international Tiffany Cameron. The two forwards have extensive goalscoring and attacking pedigree, hopefully helping to spark a lagging Tides offence this season.
🌐 NSL internationals. As mentioned earlier, it was also the international break. Notable moments included a WEUROs debut for Ottawa’s Kayla Adamek, coming on for Poland in the 59th minute of a 2-0 loss to Germany, and Toronto’s Esther Okoronkwo nabbing an assist in a 3-0 win over Tunisia that opened Nigeria’s WAFCON campaign with a win.
This week’s NSL fixtures:
Monday, July 7
Halifax Tides vs. Calgary Wild (6:30PM AT @ Wanderers Grounds)
Thursday, July 10
AFC Toronto vs. Ottawa Rapid (7PM ET @ York Lions Stadium)
Saturday, July 12
Montréal Roses vs. Halifax Tides (5PM ET @ Stade Boréale)
Calgary Wild vs. Vancouver Rise (5PM MT @ McMahon Stadium)
Northern Picks
✅ Northern Picks
🦆 What to buy
Toronto band Ducks Ltd. dropped a clean shirt this week made by our friends at Icarus. The limited run is available on their Bandcamp now.
❤️ What to watch
The football world was rocked this week by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva. If you haven’t seen it yet, Liverpool shared a touching tribute video “Our lad from Portugal. Forever”. Have some tissues handy for this one.
✅ Who to follow
With the 2025 Women’s Euros in full swing, make sure to give @Indivisa a follow!