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October 21st Edition
Playoff stages set, national team friendlies & Roses MTL FC have arrived
What a dramatic week of footy across Canadian Soccer as the playoff race in both the CPL and MLS came down to the wire.
CF Montréal and Pacific FC are the big winners, as both of them punched their postseason tickets on the final day. The men's national team also picked up a dramatic win of their own in their first home match under Jesse Marsch, and the Canadian women announced their squad and coaching staff for Friday’s friendly against Spain.
Plus, more big NSL announcements, another CanWNT legend announced her retirement and more ahead in this week’s edition of The Northern Pitch.
In this week's edition:
CanMNT
🇨🇦 CanMNT pick up dub in Marsch’s first home game
Sean Pollock / Waking the Red & CSD
The iceman Jonathan David scored the winner on a chilly night at BMO Field as Canada picked up a dramatic 2-1 victory over Panama in Jesse Marsch’s first home match as Canada coach on Tuesday.
Cyle Larin scored the opener, as he and David remain tied for the all-time leading goalscorer in CanMNT history, with 30 each.
The friendly match served as crucial prep for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals and Gold Cup this summer, with Canada returning to BMO Field in November to take on Suriname in the second leg of the former. Canada lost in the quarters to Jamaica during last year’s Nations League, and will want to change that narrative this time around.
Overall, another solid performance from the boys in red under Marsch. Also, Jonathan David, best striker in Concacaf. Moïse Bombito, best defender in Concacaf. Stephen Eustáquio, best midfielder in Concacaf. CanMNT are coming for the Concacaf crown again in 2025.
CanWNT
🇨🇦 CanWNT name squad and coaching staff for Spain Friendly
Canada Soccer
For the first time since their quarter-final exit at the Paris Olympics, the CanWNT will be back in action later this month, with a significant test against defender World Cup champs Spain in Almendralejo on Friday, October 25.
There weren’t too many changes from the Olympic roster for Canada, with Olivia Smith and Emma Regan coming back into the 21-player squad. Quinn, Jayde Rivière and Sydney Collins all miss out through injury, while legendary midfielder Desiree Scott announced her retirement this week.
The most anticipated portion of this release, perhaps, was finding out who would be coaching the team with head coach Bev Priestman still suspended following the Olympic drone scandal. There wasn’t much news on that front as Interim Olympic coaching staff Andy Spence, Jen Herst and Neil Wood will return.
There will however be some new and old faces at Canada camp, as Whitecaps FC Girls Elite head coach Katelyn Collar was added to the coaching staff as an interim technical assistant, while CanWNT legend, and NSL founder, Diana Matheson will be included in the staff in an interim team support capacity.
CPL
🔱 Pacific FC sneak into final playoff spot during dramatic CPL regular season finale
Canadian Premier League
The Canadian Premier League wrapped up its sixth regular season on Saturday, and for the first time ever, all four matchups were played at the exact same time.
This led to plenty of drama and exciting lead changes, but when the dust settled across the country, there were two big outcomes: Pacific FC had clinched the league’s fifth and final playoff spot, and Cavalry FC had finished second setting up a showdown with Forge FC in the league’s qualifying semifinal.
Cavalry FC’s day was made even better by the fact that their striker Tobias Warschewski scored a brace on the final day of the season to top the league’s Golden Boot race.
The CPL playoffs start this Wednesday with York United’s first-ever home playoff match, as they host Pacific FC in a rematch of last year’s 4th vs. 5th game. Then, on Sunday, the winner of that match will face Atlético Ottawa in the nation’s capital, while Forge and Cavalry face off in the qualifying semifinal in Hamilton, with the winner advancing to, and hosting the 2024 CPL Final.
NSL
🌹 Roses FC are officially here
Roses MTL FC
Montréal’s NSL club has officially been revealed. Roses Montreal FC or Roses de Montreal has officially been revealed on October 8th in a brand reveal event in the Old Port of Montreal. The club formed itself as a reflection of the city and the significance of the rose: the iconic Farine Five Roses on the dock of Montreal’s Old Port, and the rosette, the city’s municipal logo.
Qui nous ressemble et nous rassemble. What resembles and assemble. The motto of the club. A statement of the spirit of this club, a team for the people and by the people. A true reflection of Montreal. In other words, Roses aim to be an authentic Montreal club.
The club colours a reflection of diversity. The official colours of the club are blue, black, gold, red and white. The red and blue are a symbolic representation of the diverse cultural heritage shared between Quebec and Canada.
Okay but what about the launch event? It was lit. With 700 guests invited to the event at Gare Dalhousie in Old Montreal, it was the biggest sporting related party of the year. Many notable athletes were present, with Samuel Piette, Jesse Marsch, Mauro Biello, and Marie-Philip Poulin and the Montreal Victoire women’s hockey team were present. Along with notable investors Patrice Bernier and Maxime Crepeau, with the latter being the surprise guest.
Hype has been established. Roses FC have established themselves and the excitement for the first home game is palpable. Roses have announced the creation of a new training facility but no mention of a home stadium. For the inaugural season, Roses will play in different venues throughout the city.
Canucks Abroad
🌍 Canucks Abroad
Attacking Third
🐐 Christine Sinclair in the BC Sports Hall of Fame. The soccer goat has been revealed that she will be inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame 2025. She will be joining another 2007 inductee, Craig Forrest, in the Hall of Fame.
👏 Desiree Scott to hang up the boots. CanWNT veteran has announced that she is retiring from the game. The 37-year-old Winnipeg baller has announced her retirement after a turbulent 2024. The anguish of losing her mother, having a lengthy injury, and having minimal game time with KC Current has marked 2024 as a challenging year. She played her final NWSL regular season game against the San Diego Wave, a 4-1 win — sticking around after the game for one final time with the fans. Moreover, Diane Matheson hinted that DS will have a future position in the NSL. Her journey continues.
🇫🇷 Jonathan David will not sign an extension. JD, we love you, but this transfer saga is getting exhausting. However, the clubs interested in the CanMNT forward are interesting. As reported by Matteo Morreto, JD will not sign a new contract and will leave Lille this summer. Atletico Madrid and Milan are reportedly no longer interested. Inter Milan and Juventus are reported to be interested and active, while Barcelona is monitoring the striker. Once again, there are great club options.
👀 Manchester United is interested in Alphonso Davies. Real Madrid have competition in the race for Phonzy’s services. Manchester United are interested in signing the CanMNT captain. United are struggling to find a consistent left-back and Phonzy could fill that void. Madrid have similar problems at full-back but are also building a dynastic team with the best young players in the world. The biggest difference, one club has become a meme and the other are taken seriously. For any Premier League fan, unless you’re a United supporter, Phonzy to Manchester does not feel good. But we would all love to see him ball out in the Prem.
🇳🇱 Luka Kulenovic, #CanMNT in November? That may just be the number one question on fans’ minds for Jesse Marsch looking ahead to the next international window. Especially after the 25-year-old dual national netted a brace — a first, then a second — against Dutch giants Ajax in a back-and-forth 4-3 affair. We sure hope to see him in Toronto come November.
🇺🇸 Nichelle Prince providing twice. After a bit of a slow start to life in KC, Prince turned up the dial to eleven in the Current’s final home match of the season. In a game that also saw a tifo and final ovation for the retiring Desiree Scott, NP7 found time to help out on Temwa Chawinga’s record-breaking goal and Debinha’s icing on the cake in a 4-1 win over San Diego.
🇮🇹 Évelyne Viens is dancing in Rome. We mean that more figuratively… but okay maybe it’s best you just look at this assist yourself, because it’s quite the trickery from Viens. The goal ending up the winner against AC Milan on Sunday, could we see more of the same on Friday in an extended national team look at Viens?
🇺🇸 Jacob Shaffelburg caps Nashville’s season. It’s been a tough year for Nashville, no doubt. A mid-season coaching change, a slow burn through the summer stretch and a 13th-placed finish in the East. Still, there was something to smile about for new dad Jacob Shaffelburg, after going on a mazy solo run in stoppage time to cap off a 3-0 win over Chicago.
🇳🇱 Charles-Andréas Brym picked up an assist. Sure, the lack of minutes recently hasn’t been great. The 13-time capped centre forward made a good case for himself however, getting his first start of the season against Almere. In said game, Brym turned provider on the final goal of the game, Sparta’s 2-2 equaliser. Hopefully, a start to more opportunities.
🇺🇸 Delivery perfection for Janine Beckie. As much as there can be an early winner in late-season trades, it seems that Louisville have found just that. JB would help to strike in the final minutes against her former Portland side (and friends Jessie Fleming and Christine Sinclair) from the corner flag with service finding a teammate. We can only dream of the magic that Jen Hurst might work up this week in Spain.
🇫🇷 Latifah Abdu with a helper. A potential future name for Roses FC? The young Montréal-born forward will have given a good show for any scouts that might’ve been in attendance after providing a perfect back-post cross on Guingamp’s opener in a 3-2 win against Strasbourg.
🇸🇦 Milan Borjan’s still got it. Despite seemingly no longer being in the plans for the CanMNT, those in Riyadh were treated to a vintage performance from Mr Zombi. The veteran shotstopper made three important saves for the clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Al Okhdood, picking up man of the match honours from Fotmob along the way.
Canucks at Home
🏡 Canucks at Home
@CanMNTBible
👀 Ali Ahmed to be a Canuck Abroad? The Whitecaps and CanMNT winger enjoyed a stellar 2024. His performances have garnered the attention of European clubs. As reported by Josh Kloke, clubs in England’s Championship, the German Bundesliga, Italy’s Serie A and France’s Ligue 1 are reported to be interested in Ahmed. With MLS ballers finding their way to Europe, the floodgates have opened for Canadians. Ali Ahmed may be the latest to join them in Europe.
Other News
📰 In other news this week
🔵 CF Montréal clinched playoffs. CFM had a big task to overcome in defeating NYCFC in order to clinch playoffs, a club they have not beaten in two years. Saturday night, Stade Saputo was at a vibe that was not felt since the Nancy era. Bleu-Blanc-Noir defeated NYCFC 2-0, with goals coming from Caden Clark and Josef Martinez. Clark, sporting the new Bellingham boots, scored and assisted Martinez. The Venezuelan has scored six goals in five games. MTL have salvaged a turbulent season, picking up seven wins in the last eight games. They will now host Atlanta United at Stade Saputo in the Wild Card play-in. The winners will face Inter Miami.
🌊 Vancouver Whitecaps. The Caps travelled to Utah to face off against Real Salt Lake to fight for a spot in the post-season playoff. The Whitecaps have been Canada’s most consistent team and to fight for a play off spot feels wrong. Alas, here they were. The game did not go according to plan as Fafa Picault missed a penalty but Ryan Gauld compensated with a goal in the 58th minute. Real Salt Lake had the final say as Diego Luna balled out like it was a final, and Isaac Boehmer had a howler in the net to concede the second goal. Despite the 2-1 loss, the Caps are in the same position as MTL and finished eighth. They will have to play Portland Timbers in the play-in round to move on to the first round of playoffs.
❌ Toronto FC are already eliminated. For the 6ix, the campaign ended against inter Miami. The Reds did not play over the weekend. It was a turbulent season for TFC, but if there was a silver lining, it is a transition season. Bernadeschi has proven to be the franchise player over Insigne, and John Herdman will have an entire off-season to address the club’s weaknesses. TFC’s defence needs to be sorted asap. Overall, the 2025 campaign is something to look forward to because this season has shown promise. With the right players, TFC can return to glory.
✅ Northern Picks
This week’s picks come from The Soccer Pilgrim, DARBY and The Northern Pitch writer Gisoo Kim.
✅ Who to follow
Improve your game with @zth.training. I’ve played my entire life but I learned a lot of nuanced technical skills with Harris Hussaini. He teaches you the proper techniques in various passing and shooting skills. Proper defending and attacking. As well appropriate ways to dribble. The biggest lessons I learned from his reels are passing techniques. Game changer. At the ripe age of 31-years-old, I’m ready to go pro now.
📚 What to read
Are you a Liverpool or Dortmund supporter? Do you like coaches that you will run through a wall for? Do you think Thomas Tuchel is an inferior German coach? Bring the Noise: The Jürgen Klopp Story is the book for you. The writing is sharp, engaging and easy to read. It is written by Raphael Honigstein, the foremost authority in all things German football. Above all, Klopp’s story is a fascinating one, from mediocre pro player to one of the best coaches in club football.
🛍️ What to buy
Check out Roses Montreal FC merch! I got their hoodie and I love it. The design is clean and subtle while the hoodie itself will keep you warm. It’s getting chilly and keep yourself warm with a beautifully designed sweater.