October 26th Edition

Champagne was being popped across Canada this week!

Forge FC are the CPL’s first-ever Canadian Champions, Montréal Roses lifted the Supporters’ Shield and Cavalry FC are CPL Shield winners.

All of that, plus a busy week for Canadians abroad, including some Champions League magic and more in this week’s edition of The Northern Pitch.

Forge FC are the first CPL club to lift the Voyageurs Cup. The Hammers travelled to Stade Saputo to face CF Montréal for the third consecutive year in this competition. As in previous years, Forge defeated MTL for the third consecutive time and lifted the coveted Voyageurs Cup.

A tumultuous first half for both sides. MTL came out swinging at the beginning of the game, creating four chances in the opening five minutes. Forge were on the back foot and took their time establishing a rhythm. Once they did, the Hammers were matching MTL’s tempo and started creating their own chances. Dimitry Bertaud would deny Prince Owusu’s penalty in the 25th minute. Late in the first half, Forge found the net off a corner kick with a goal from Antoine Batisse. With the penalty save and Batisse goal, this was feeling like a guaranteed Forge dub. But Montreal would reply with a goal from Daniel Rios early in the second half.

After Daniel Rios's goal, MTL re-established a groove and momentum that favoured the home team. With this new rhythm, it was clear the Impact would find the net again. Confidence and belief were in the air for CFM until Brayan Vera conceded an unnecessary red card.

The red card changed the game. Montréal defender Brayan Vera was shown a second yellow for diving simulation in Forge’s box. It frustrated supporters, as the entire play was unnecessary. Vera took the ball from Rios, dribbled into the box, and, just as he was about to lose possession, tried to draw a penalty. Despite the red card, MTL played decently and created chances. However, the season's persistent issues resurfaced: they cannot finish their chances.

Hamilton needs to build a Dimitry Bertaud statue. The Congolese keeper was undoubtedly the outstanding player of the night. Bertaud has made eight saves, including a penalty save in the 25th minute. Despite conceding a goal early in the second half, Bertaud would shine by making two more saves in the penalty shootout, denying Prince Owusu two penalties that night. While Forge’s defence would have moments of tactical lapses, Bertaud stood tall and kept the Hammers in the game.

Where was Alexis Sanchez? The question on everyone’s mind. Montreal supporters were chanting his name, and coach Philippe Eullafroy took his time in deciding on bringing on the Chilean. Eullafroy admitted that it was complicated, as it would have been tricky to bring on Sanchez with 10 men. Nonetheless, most people expected Sanchez to start or to at least take a penalty. However, the decision to sub him on came too late: the DP was seen getting dressed, but the ref blew the whistle for full-time after extra time. You can watch the full press conference here. Many journalists were enquiring about Sanchez.

Have CF Montréal reached a new low? The club would not admit it, but it is clear they have. They sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, lost at home in the CanChamp final, and supporters have lost confidence. At this point, the problem is not performance; it is the organization itself. Decisions made behind the scenes shape the performances on the pitch.

Forge FC are headed back to the Concacaf Champions Cup. With this win, Forge have qualified for the 2027 Champions Cup, but this time they reached that competition via the CanChamps.

A testament to the growth of the CPL. Every year, the CPL breaks its own record, and this year it broke the most important one: winning the CanChamp against an MLS side. Forge have defeated CFM while operating a fraction of their budget. Forge has demonstrated that the CPL is home to tremendous talent. The Hamiltonians are the gold standard of Canadian football.

The Roses lift the 2026 Supporters’ Shield. Montreal’s women’s team are officially the regular season champs as they defeated second placed Ottawa Rapid 1-0.

12 wins, 9 draws and 4 losses. The Roses end the season with 45 points, five points cleared from second placed Ottawa. Both clubs could have easily swapped placed as the Roses enter this game with five straight draws while Ottawa entered the game with two wins, one draw and two losses.

This felt like a final. Both teams were even for the majority of the game. It was a back and forth affair that could’ve gone either way. In other words, a tense and exciting game. The winners of this game would determine the winners of the regular season so the game felt like a final.

Tanya Boychuk broke the deadlock. The Edmontonian and Ukrainian international started the game on the bench but later came on for Noémie Paquin in the 77th minute and would find the net in the 80th minute. Boychuk’s goal can only be described as a classic striker’s goal. The striker received the ball from Yasmine Alidou, rounds the keeper and finishes her opportunity with a goal at the near post.

The Roses lift the Shield at home. Montreal hosted their final season game at home at Stade Boréale. The motivation in winning the Supporters’ Shield was on home turf was palpable. The job was done and the Roses lift the Shield before the home supporters.

Next step, playoffs. The Roses will be playing away the first leg of playoffs on October 31st away from home and the return leg at home on November 8th. The Roses will play the fourth ranked team, if the table remains the same, they would face the Vancouver Rise.

The final matchday in the CPL promised drama, and it delivered.

At the end of a whirlwind Sunday, Cavalry FC stood victorious as the league’s regular season winners with a 1-0 victory over Vancouver FC. They now join rivals Forge in qualifying for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup and lifted their second CPL Shield in four years.

Cavalry now heads into the playoffs as the top seed as well, looking to become the first CPL club to do the double.

They will face a newcomer in the first round, as there was more drama to be had on the east coast, where FC Supra du Québec won a wild match at the Wanderers Grounds 4-3 and clinched a playoff spot in their first season.

Shoutout to Kyt Silaidopoulos, who took over the team when they were eight points out of the playoffs and guided them above the line. The other playoff matchup will feature Forge FC against defending champions Atlético Ottawa.

It’s about to go down.

🇩🇪 Alphonso Davies scores vs. Arsenal. It’s been a bit of a wait since Phonzie last scored in Europe, going back to September this year against Bodø/Glimt, and to February 2025 against Celtic before that. It was well worth the wait this week, though, as he scored from left wing to level a 2-2 draw against the Gunners.

🇪🇸 We all live in a (Champions League) Yellow Submarine. Villarreal’s Canadian trio showed up this week for the Yellow Submarine’s match at Anfield against Liverpool. Tani Oluwaseyi scored to make it a 4-3 game and draw Villarreal within one while Nathan Saliba set up the goal that initially made it 2-0 for the Spaniards.

🇩🇰 Simon Colyn scores again. After a goal and an assist last week against Nordsjælland, Colyn followed up one top performance with another, scoring in Lyngby’s 3-2 defeat to Midtjylland.

🏔️ Janine Sonis never stops. Aging like a fine wine. JS4 had two more assists, bringing her total on the season to eight, as the Denver Summit smashed Racing Louisville, 6-1. Here’s the first, and the second.

🤕 The bubble wrap better come out soon. Alistair Johnston rejoined the Canada injury ward after Celtic beat Hibernian, 2-1, this week. His return didn’t last very long as he re-exited almost immediately with the Celtic gaffer later saying he “felt something high up”.

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🫂 This might be Montréal’s worst week in football. After the disastrous CanChamp final loss against Forge, CFM hosted Nashville in a poorly attended Stade Saputo on a beautiful sunny day. The vibe at the club among supporters and staff is not good. To make matters worse, MTL fell to Nashville 0-2. This club need this season to be over, and with this win, Nashville have won the Supporters’ Shield. Another away team to lift silverware at Stade Saputo this week. On the bright side, youth academy graduate Samsy Keita earned his first pro start in nets for MTL.

🔴 Another disappointing away game for TFC. Despite winning away from home last week, Toronto FC would be defeated away from BMO at Columbus. For neutrals, this was an exciting 6-goal thriller that favoured the home team with a 4-2 win. TFC’s main weakness continues to present itself each week, a porous defensive line. From midfield to attack, the boys look solid and convincing, but the backline remains shaky. Toronto could still clinch playoffs but Columbus is right above them and if they can have their backline sorted.

🌊 Are the Whitecaps in trouble? Admittedly, this is an alarmist headline as Vancouver are still on top and have consistently remained between first and second place in the conference throughout the season. This week they were handed a 0-1 defeat away at Colorado. Defensively, the Caps were okay but it is becoming evident that without Thomas Muller, they’re missing an edge while going forward. However, they have done well in the past without him. Perhaps its late season fatigue that us settling in?

Wednesday, October 28
Charlotte FC vs. CF Montréal (7:30 PM ET)
Toronto FC vs. DC United (7:30 PM ET @ BMO Field)
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Colorado Rapids (7:30 PM PT @ BC Place)

Saturday, October 31
NYCFC vs. CF Montréal (2:00 PM ET)

Sunday, November 1
Atlanta United vs. Toronto FC (4:30 PM ET) Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Seattle Sounders (1:30 PM PT @ BC Place)

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⚜️ Supra have qualified for playoffs. They have done it. Supra proved themselves to be the only men’s footballing team to clutch it out when they need to. In their inaugural CPL season, Supra have qualified for the playoffs over Vancouver FC. A seven-goal thriller went down in Halifax as the Wanderers would end their season with a 3-4 defeat to Supra. Loïc Kwemi would end the season as the league’s top goal scorer in the regular season.

🦝 Inter Toronto end the season with a dub. Atletico Ottawa travelled to York to face-off against Inter Toronto. For Ottawa, their playoff spot is confirmed while Inter Toronto are looking to end the season on a positive note. Luckily for the home side, they would win this game 2-1 against Ottawa. Both of Inter Toronto’s goals were absolute screamers. Although a loss for Ottleti is not a big deal, but building off a winning momentum would be ideal as they head into the playoffs. However, Ottawa’s Nicolas Chateau did score, that is a good sign.

🔱 Pacific deny Forge the Shield. The Hammers were on a quest in winning two silverwares in one week. Unfortunately, lowly Pacific FC are on a mission in ending a season with a positive at home. Forge’s Tristan Borges would open a game with a banger in the 12th minute. However, PFC would reply with a beauty of a volley goal from Ronan Kratt in the 72nd minute. PFC were almost ended the game with a dub after Tara Gomulka released Marley Edwards for a counter but just missed the net. The game ended 1-1.

This week’s CPL playoff fixtures:

Sunday, November 1
Atlético Ottawa vs. Forge FC (2 PM ET @ TD Place)
FC Supra du Québec vs. Cavalry FC (4 PM ET @ Stade Borèale)

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🏔️ A wild five goal game at Swangard Stadium. What a way to end the regular season. The Rise hosted the Calgary Wild to a seven-goal stunner where the home side are trying to lock in a playoff spot. We can go on explaining key moments and goals but we encourage everyone to watch the highlights if you missed the game. This was a thoroughly entertaining match up. The Rise held off the Wild come back and ended the game 3-2.

This week’s NSL fixtures:

Monday, October 26
AFC Toronto vs. Halifax Tides (7 PM ET @ BMO Field)

Saturday, October 31
4th place vs. Montréal Roses (4 PM ET)

Sunday, November 1
3rd place vs. 2nd place (2 PM ET)

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