June 2nd Edition

After a wild weekend of Canadian soccer, it feels like a hangover Monday—especially for those on the west coast.

The Vancouver Whitecaps were demolished by Cruz Azul in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup Final, a humbling conclusion to an incredible run to the continental final.

In much better news, the Canadian women’s national team said goodbye to the legend Desiree Scott in style, and the U-20 women’s team overcame adversity to qualify for the World Cup.

Plus, the CPL went on Tour, a bunch of Canadian ballers are being linked to Europe, ahead of what is an interesting summer of potential transfers, and plenty more ahead in this week’s edition of The Northern Pitch.

In this week's edition:

• 🌊 Cruz Azul drop five on the 'Caps in Cup Final

• 👋 CanWNT send off Desiree Scott in style

• 🇨🇦 Canada qualify for U-20 Women's World Cup

• 🌍 Canucks Abroad

• ⚽️ Canadian MLS Recap

• 🍁 CPL Recap

• 🌌 NSL Recap

• ✅ Northern Picks

CONCACAF

🌊 Cruz Azul drop five on the ‘Caps in Cup Final

Welp, that sucked.

After so much hype, so many dramatic comebacks, beating Monterrey, Pumas and Messi and the gang, the Vancouver Whitecaps not only failed to clear the final hurdle in the Concacaf Champions Cup final, they landed flat on their face.

An embarrassing 5-0 defeat to Cruz Azul felt like it could have been even worse, as the ‘Caps didn’t even manage a shot attempt over 90 minutes of nightmare in Mexico City.

It was over before it really ever began, as just eight minutes in, Cruz Azul had already taken the lead, capitalizing on a Whitecaps mistake at the back before Ignacio Rivero opened the scoring.

Twenty minutes later, Lorenzo Faravelli added another, and the rout was on. Tournament golden boot winner Ángel Sepúlveda added a brace, and Mateusz Bogusz also scored.

Cruz Azul have now made history, tying Club América for the most Concacaf Champions Cup titles with their seventh. The Whitecaps, meanwhile, failed to become the first Canadian club to win the competition.

In time, we might be able to look back at this incredible run to the final fondly. The Whitecaps are still in great shape in MLS, and are heavy favourites to win another Canadian Championship, their fourth in a row. But right now, this is a Game of Thrones type beat—where all of the drama that led to this point was undone by a horrible finale.

CanWNT

👋 CanWNT send off Desiree Scott in style

For the 188th and final time, Desiree Scott stepped on the pitch for Canada on Saturday in her hometown of Winnipeg.

The women’s national team hosted Haiti in a friendly at Princess Auto Stadium as a special send-off for the 37-year-old midfield legend, who won three Olympic medals for Canada, bronze in 2012 and 2016, and Gold in 2021.

On the pitch, though, it was the Janine Sonis show, as she picked up four assists during a 4-1 victory. She set up Adriana Leon twice in the first nine minutes, picked out Shelina Zadorsky on a corner kick in the 50th, and Olivia Smith in the 90th.

The two sides meet again in Montréal at Stade Saputo on Tuesday, June 3 (7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT). Scott, however, will not travel with the group, as the last member of the 2012 Canadian Olympic bronze medal team officially hangs up her cleats internationally. But she will keep balling out for club with Ottawa Rapid.

Thank you for everything, Destroyer. ❤️

CanW20

🇨🇦 Canada qualify for U-20 Women’s World Cup

The next gen were balling out this past week too as Canada qualified for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.

Playing at the 2025 Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship in Costa Rica, Canada opened the competition with a comprehensive 7-1 win over Panama.

They were dealt a bit more adversity in their second group game when Inès Nourani was sent off just ten minutes into the match. Canada opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, before Nicaragua equalized from the penalty spot in the 37th minute.

But Canada dug deep, and despite being down a player, they took the lead just before half-time on a screamer from Teegan Melenhorst. Then it was the Anabelle Chukwu show, just as it has been all tournament, as she also scored in first-half stoppage time to give Canada a cushion heading into the break. Liana Tarasco completed the scoring late in the second half, and Canada won 4-1.

Mexico’s 4-0 victory over Panama later that night eliminated both Panama and Nicaragua, meaning that Canada and Mexico have advanced out of Group B, and thus punched one of four tickets to the 2026 World Cup.

Canada’s tournament is far from over, as they play their final group game against Mexico today (available to watch on OneSoccer) looking to win their group. If they can do that, they could set up a favourable semi-final matchup on Friday, looking to punch a ticket to Sunday’s final.

Canada has twice won the CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship, in 2004 and 2008, and will look to add a third to their trophy cabinet this coming week. But with the World Cup spot secured, the primary task is already completed.

Canucks Abroad

🌍 Canucks Abroad

🇧🇪 Niko Sigur wanted in Belgium. If there’s any formula that seems to be proven it’s this: Canadians thrive in Belgium. Belgian giants Anderlecht want to sign the 21-year-old from his current club Hadjuk Split. The Croatian club have reportedly evaluated the CanMNT baller at €4 million.

🇪🇸 Villarreal considering extending Buchanan loan. The La Liga outfit are not interested in exercising a permanent buy option for Tajon, which Inter has set his price at €13 million. The Yellow Submarine are interested in securing another loan deal for TJ but on their terms. This seems likely as Italian publications have reported that the CanMNT winger is not a part of Inter’s plan for the next season. Weird, given they were handed 5-0 loss at the CL final and many of the goals started down the wing. Anyway, we want to see TJ thrive.

🇪🇺 Tani Oluwaseyi wanted in Europe. This is want Jesse Marsch wants. English Championship and various European clubs are reported to be interested in Oluwaseyi. Israeli club Maccabi Haifa have offered Minnesota United $2 million for the CanMNT striker but it was rejected. It seems to indicate that the aforementioned clubs are likely to offer more and/or in a better league.

⚽️ More Tani news! Minnesota United travelled to Seattle and defeated the home team 3-2. Oluwaseyi was a pivotal part in this dub as he bagged a brace against the Cascadian giants. The two goals has brought his goal tally to eight and four assists in this MLS season.

🔵 At least one CF Montreal baller could soon be a Canuck Abroad. Let’s add further depression to the hearts and minds of CF MTL supporters. Key players are linked with a move to Europe and two of these players are the highest performing players in the starting lineup. Let’s start with the shock move:

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Sunusi Ibrahim to Wrexham. Yes, you read that right. Newly promoted Championship Welsh club are leading the race to sign the Nigerian forward. Ibrahim has been sidelined for the majority of the season so far and a move for more game time is warranted. No formal bids have come in but the 22-year-old forward has been evaluated at $500,000.

💸 Nathan Saliba to be sold this summer. MTL’s most productive and consistent player in the last two seasons. CFM are the best exporters of talent in the MLS. Any young talent with any European potential will be designated for transfer. No clubs have been linked yet, but MTL expect Saliba to move to Europe.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 George Campbell likely headed to England. The 23-year-old American defender has been a rock in defence for MTL. Calm under pressure, disciplined defending, technical ability, and a strong dribbler. Campbell is a full package defender that is wanted in Europe. Several English Championship clubs, such as Bristol City and West Brom, are interested in Campbell.

Follow Canucks Abroad on Twitter and Bluesky.

Major League Soccer

⚽️ Canadian MLS Recap

🔴 Toronto FC are down bad. TFC hosted Charlotte FC, the reds were without Bernadeschi but the away side had Wilfried Zaha and Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty in the starting lineup. Pep Biel’s first goal in the 56th minute for Charlotte was something that TFC should have identified in the first half. Biel liked made late runs at the edge of the box and waited for a cut back or a rebound. It happened on multiple occasions. Charlotte sealed the deal with Patrick Agyemang’s brilliant finish off a Kosi Thompson mistake. The game ended 2-0 for Charlotte.

🔵 CF Montréal are down worse. This could have been a decent game for MTL against New England, but former Revolution striker Giacomo Vrioni earned himself a red card in the 36th minute, it was a completely preventable incident. This is MTL’s second red card within a month from avoidable actions. CFM started the half strong, they brought the game to New England and were dangerous on the counter. The red card changed the entire game and CFM lost at home 3-0. It is unfortunate, as there is a semblance of a good team that can play decent football, but silly red cards and the lack of needed investment is costing the team.

Canadian Premier League

🍁 CPL Recap

⚜️ Québec City was big success! In a rainy day at Stade TELUS-Université Laval where over 7000 spectators were in attendance. There is clearly a market for this in the heart of French Canada. York United faced off against league leaders Halifax Wanderers. In a surprise result, the Nine Stripes defeated the Haligonians 2-0. York United played proper football, a great cross from Orlando Botello to set up Julian Altobelli’s volley was a beauty to watch. Steffen Yeates sealed the game with a second goal in the 89th minute.

🔨 A battle of giants in Hamilton. Forge hosted 2024 Champions Cavalry in a thrilling 1-1 draw at Hamilton Stadium. Both goals came within the first half with the second half defined by near misses and countless chance creations for Forge.

🦅 Vancouver earn a point against Ottawa. On Friday, lowly Vancouver FC hosted league leaders Atletico Ottawa and gave an impressive first half performance as they went up 2-0. If VFC held to that lead in the second half, this would have been the performance of the season. However, Ottleti showed why they’re top dogs in the second half. Ottawa’s attack was relentless, goals from Samuel Salter and David Rodriguez brought the game to 2-2 at full time. 

🔱 Pacific FC held to a draw at Winnipeg. This was not the most exciting game. PFC travelled to Valour and were held to a 0-0 draw. Valour outshot PFC with twelve shots to four however, PFC defence were able to handle the offensive pressure. Pacific’s goalkeeper Max Anchor registered five saves and some of them were impressive.

Northern Super League

🌌 NSL Recap

The Northern Super League marked its first international break this week with all six teams having some time to rest and recoup. So, what better time than now to take a look back at the first six weeks.

📈 If you haven’t bought in yet, what are you waiting for? The league has been off to a roaring start. Per SHE Scores Bangers’ Mariam Kourabi, attendance numbers for all six NSL teams have stayed strong after sell-out home openers. Merch sales have also approached seven-digit figures since launch.

🌎 International opportunities have already come knocking for players too. At least 17 players earned call-ups to senior national squads, some marking returns for the first time since 2022. Others have been around the block, like Ottawa’s Desiree Scott, who bowed out from Canada duty in her Winnipeg farewell testimonial.

🦘 None capitalized more than Kahli Johnson, though. Already on three goals with the Calgary Wild, Johnson has been off to a hot start for club. Well, that translated to the world stage in the Aussie’s senior debut against Argentina. Johnson scored her first international goal for the Matildas’ opener, on the way to a PotM performance.

🔜 The season is back underway this Thursday as Calgary hosts Halifax on TSN+, ESPN+ and NSL.ca. Week 8 wraps up on Saturday with a doubleheader featuring another Battle of Ontario between Toronto and Ottawa while Montréal welcomes Vancouver in a top of the table clash.

✅ Northern Picks

This week’s picks come from Danny Astefan (@dannyastefan). He’s a Filmmaker and Photographer based Vancouver, BC.

✅ Who to follow

@chebmoha is a multidisciplinary artist and creative director known for blending street culture, football aesthetics, and diasporic identity, having spent formative years living in Calgary. He is the founder of the streetwear brand Shabab Intl, and has collaborated with brands like Nike, Vans, and Gucci .

🎧 What to listen to

Lately, I’ve been listening to Tha Carter II by Lil Wayne, pretty much everything Lil Yachty’s been dropping, plus 070 Shake, Eem Triplin, Lancey Foux, and ScHoolboy Q. When I’m winding down or cooking dinner, I tend to switch it up with some oldies, soul, or alternative R&B—artists like Sam Cooke, Thee Sinseers, Elton John, and Chris Stapleton.

👕 What to buy

I’m a big fan of vintage and underground streetwear and designer pieces, but as someone from an Arab family—my parents were born in Baghdad and later moved to Mosul—I’ve been diving deeper into the world of Arab artists, designers, and fashion brands. On top of Shabab Intl (mentioned above), London-based Suez Studio really resonates with me. I’ve even had the chance to connect with the founder (@seragelmeleigy) on Instagram. Would love to collaborate with them someday.