July 31st Edition

Well, that wasn’t a fun way to start the week 😔.

After a shocking 4-0 loss to co-hosts Australia in their group stage finale, Canada have officially been eliminated from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Ahead, more on that loss, its implications, and the latest Canadian soccer happenings and highlights from this week.

We don’t really want to talk about it either, but it is undoubtedly the story of the day. Canada are officially out of the Women’s World Cup after being drubbed 4-0 by hosts Australia in their Group Stage Finale.

Australia scored early, Australia scored often, and the defending Olympic champs Canada were sent packing in the Group Stage for the first time since 2011.

It capped off a disappointing tournament for Canada, who were always under pressure after a 0-0 draw against Nigeria to open the tournament in a very competitive group. Credit the Aussies who had a great performance on home soil with an outstanding crowd. Women’s footy is undoutedly reaching the next level, and Canada have work to do to remain among the world’s elite.

What does the future hold for Bev Priestman as Canada’s coach? Sophie Schmidt has played her last game for Canada, and there are questions as to how much longer the GOAT Christine Sinclair plays for this country — as she apparently took blades of grass off the pitch as a momento after playing in what is likely her finally World Cup match. There will be plenty of stories to watch in the coming weeks.

Canada must now regroup quickly, as they have a critical pair of Olympic qualifiers coming up in September against Jamaica. That includes a match at BMO Field that you should definitely get out to. Tickets available here.

📝 Canadian Women National Team sign interim deal with Canada Soccer. The full details of the interim deal are still unclear. This comes after the CanMNT released a statement accusing Canada Soccer for using the Women’s World Cup to push for an inadequate deal over pay. However, based on the message sent by the Canadian Soccer Players’ Association (CSPA), the deal came as a result of financial constraints. It was a decision between players financial compensation or money for training camps, stating: “We have been forced to choose between receiving a fair share of the rewards for our teams’ successes at the World Cups and our commitment to equal pay and equal treatment with our Men’s National team.” Read more here.

🔴 TFC’s Ayo Akinola has been loaned out to San Jose Earthquakes. The Northern California club have the option to seal a permanent move for Ayo in 2024, while Toronto receives a 2023 international slot in return. After Miami going wild with 2016 Barca ballers, will Toronto look for a big international move? For Ayo, this is good. Insigne and Berna-boy-Deschi seems to be taking a lot of air and the Brampton man needs game time.

👀 One name that CanMNT supporters should be keeping an eye on is Luc De Fougerolles. The 17-year-old central defender from Fulham’s academy has been starting for the first team throughout preseason — having signed a professional contract with the club in April, including a recent friendly against Chelsea. De Fougerolles is eligible for both Canada through his father who was born in Montréal, as well as England. He previously recieved a callup to the Canadian U-20 side.

👏 Maxime Crépeau is back. After 9-months of injury, big man Max makes his return featuring for LAFC2. Flashback, it’s MLS Cup final and Cory Burke is on a breakaway. Rushing out of the box, Crépeau challenges the Philly forward resulting in a red card, a fractured leg and missing out on the World Cup. Literally took one for the team. Once fully fit, Maxime will present a good problem for Herdman. Borjan, Dayne, Maxime, McGill and maybe Sirois? Oof. Pour les francos, voici une article en français.

🔵 CF Montréal officially sign Fernando Alvarez from Pachuca. The U20 Colombia international has finally put pen to paper and joined the Québecois side until 2025. CF MTL could use youthful energy in their defensive line. The veteran Rudy Camacho has been consistently effective all seaon but for how much longer? Alvarez brings youth and energy into the squad. With Joel Waterman that could be a deadly pairing in defence. However, he may be MTL’s new project in the business of development and selling. Like Djordje Milhailovic, AJ and Ismael Koné. Also kind of crazy knowing other top European clubs like Ajax have been monitoring Alvarez but MTL got to him first.

🔄 Zakaria Bahous has departed from Atlético Ottawa, who pick up Ilias Iliadis on loan. The former PLSQ player has mutually terminated his contract with the club after two years of service and 56 appearances. It is unclear where Bahous is headed or why the contract was terminated. Meanwhile, Atleti picked up CF MTL midfielder Ilias Iliadis on loan for the rest of the season. The former Panathinaikos B player is a big edition for Ottawa as he struggled for game time under Losada in Montréal. As the CM position is currently filled with in-form Victor Wanyama, Samuel Piette, Mathieu Choinière and Nathan Saliba, Ottawa will be a good spot for Iliadis to revamp his career and to show his qualities.

🔨 Forge signs international forward Beni Badibanga. The Congolese forward has been transfered from Belgian first divison side RAAL La Louvière, scoring nine goals in 23 games. Badibanga has been spent the majority of his career in Belgian football. A quality which will enhance Forge’s attacking prowess when moving foward. This is a good pick up for the Hamilton side.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Luca Koleosho transfered to Burnley. The newly promoted Premier League club under Vincent Kompany signed Koleosho from Espanyol for 2.6 million GBP plus add-ons on a four-year deal. Luca is eligible to play for multiple countries as he was born in the US, with a Nigerian father and an Italian-Canadian mother. That’s four solid countries to play ball for. If Herdman can somehow work is magic, he could be a huge addition to the national team. For now, he’s going to play Premier League football under a coach who was one of the best defenders in the league history, Kompany.

🌊 Vancouver Whitecaps are the last remaining Canadian team in Leagues Cup. The ‘Caps defeated LA Galaxy 2-1 at Dignity Health Sports Park. The game started with LA scoring a screamer by Riqui Puig from the edge the box. From then, LA had been taking shot after shot on Vancouver. The ‘Caps took on that pressure and finally found their way to two goals. As said prior, Whitecaps are the only Canadian franchise that know how to finish and do so convincingly. While under pressure, this club will find its way going forward.

🔵 CF Montréal lose 1-0 to DC United in their second Leagues Cup match at home. If you happened to peep this game, you would remember one thing: MTL could not finish. DC United were on their back heel and relied on counter attacks while CFM pushed hard. DC’s only goal came from a poor back pass from MLS All-Star Mathieu Choinière. People can blame Mathieu but really CFM was frustrating to watch going foward. No goals, no fun.

🔴 Meanwhile Toronto FC make MTL’s loss look like a close one. Oh Toronto, might as well rage quit the season and quit the server. TFC visited NYCFC at Red Bull Arena. Awkward, that’s like playing Chelsea at the Emirates. Anyway, TFC were nowhere near playing like a top MLS club. They might as well take off the star on their kits if they continue to play like this. The fall from grace is astounding and disturbing. The game ended in a 5-0 defeat for the boys in red.

⚓️ In CPL action this week, Halifax continue their winning form picking up a 2-0 win away against York United with a screamer from Zachary Fernandez.

🔨 Vancouver FC traveled to Hamilton and faced Forge FC. VFC walked away from Tim Hortons Field with a 2-0 loss. Forge now sit in second place with 29 points and a game in hand.

🏟️ Atletico Ottawa hosted Cavalry FC at TD Place. With the only goal of the game from Sam Salter securing Atleti 3 points at home.

🔱 Pacific FC played Valour away at IG Field, with the Victoria side walking away with a 3-0 win. Check out another banger that went top bins, scored by Pacific FC captain Josh Heard.

📺 What to watch

Canada’s World Cup campaign may be over, but the historic tournament continues with plenty of storylines worth watching. For a distinctly Canadian perspective, OneSoccer’s Goodnight Australia/New Zealand has you covered: hosted by Andi Petrillo with analysis from Canadian goalkeeper Rylee Foster, youth international Jessica Lisi and former CPLer Jordan Wilson, who give their unique perspective on the tournament.

🛍️ What to buy

SCENES NY are back at it again, this time with a classy pair of socks (pictured above) “for playing or not playing”. Grab a pair here, and pair them with some shorts, perhaps?

✅ Who to follow

le PÈRE is a community of creators ranging from emerging to established artists, designers, photographers, illustrators, and musicians. They recently hosted a pop-up in Vancouver to showcase their football kits designed in collaboration with Bráulio Amado.