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- September 8th Edition
September 8th Edition
CanMNT brilliant in Bucharest, Sam Salter sets a CPL record, and Canadians balling out in Europe.
The Canadian men’s national team were back with a bang this week — picking up their biggest ever win on European soil in a 3-0 victory over Romania on Friday afternoon.
That has the vibes high after another week where several CanWNT players also balled out, Sam Salter set a CPL record and plenty of Canadians secured moves that could be crucial to their futures.
Plus, CanMNT v. Ecuador announced, news on Whitecaps ownership, and more ahead in this week’s edition of The Northern Pitch.
In this week's edition:
CanMNT
🇷🇴 CanMNT brilliant in Bucharest
Canada Soccer
It had been nearly 16 years since the Canadian men’s national team defeated a European opponent on home soil, until this past Friday, when they absolutely dominated one.
It was full press from minute one as Canada outclassed Romania 3-0 in Bucharest in their first match since a disappointing exit in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup.
Jonathan David opened the scoring with a lovely header off a free kick in the 11th minute, and Niko Sigur put the game to bed in the 77th minute with a classy one-two.
But really, this was the Ali Ahmed show. After being out multiple months following an injury suffered against Curaçao in the Concacaf Gold Cup, Ahmed returned to the national team with a bang. He picked up an assist on the opening goal, a lovely cross to Jonathan David, before scoring his first international goal.
In the battle for the starting XI, this was a statement from Ahmed. Sigur, Richie Laryea, Ismaël Koné, and goalkeeper Max Crépeau also delivered strong performances on the day.
Next up is an even bigger test against World #31 Wales in Swansea on Tuesday (2:45 p.m ET / 11:45 a.m. PT), where Canada will look to make it back-to-back dubs on European soil.
CanPL
⚽️ Sam Salter sets a CPL record
CPL
It required VAR, but Sam Salter has the CPL record for most goals in a season.
His record-breaking 15th, surpassing Halifax Wanderers striker João Morelli’s tally of 14 in 2021, came in an interesting fashion. It was initially ruled an own goal by Vancouver FC’s Aidan O’Connor, but was later changed to be Salter’s, giving him the record.
The 25-year-old from Laval has already made plenty of CPL history this season, becoming the first player to score four goals in a CPL match when he did so against Valour on May 10. He has also set a single-season record for goal contributions (goals and assists) in a season, with 18.
He is also now tied for second all-time in CPL goalcoring, with 41 goals between his time in Halifax and in the nation’s capital. He is two behind Pacific FC striker Alejandro Díaz, and tied with Vancouver FC’s Terran Campbell.
With 7 matches left in Atlético Ottawa’s season, how many more can Sam Salter bag?
CanMNT
🇪🇨 Canada to play Ecuador in November
Canada Soccer
Canada’s fall calendar is almost complete, after an announcement this week that they will take on Ecuador at BMO Field in Toronto on November 13. It is the first time they have met the South American nation since a 2-2 draw at BMO Field back in 2011.
This will be an outstanding test, Ecuador recently qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and are ranked 25th in the World. They are undefeated in their past 10 matches in World Cup qualifying, including draws with Brazil and Uruguay. Serious business.
This is the kind of opponent that Canada will meet at the Group Stage during the tournament, so it is important to continue to play these types of matches against teams from multiple confederations in order to be as prepared as possible.
Canada’s schedule already includes a friendly against Wales on Tuesday, hosting Australia on October 10 in Montréal, and taking on Colombia on October 14 in New Jersey.
Canada Soccer are expected to announce one additional match in the November window, which will round out their 2025 schedule.
CanMNT
🔄 A busy transfer window for Canadians
Glasgow Rangers
🏴 Derek Cornelius to Rangers. From Marseille to Glasgow, Cornelius has been loaned out for a year to Scottish Premiership side Glasgow Rangers. The Old Firm Darby will be an interesting one this year with Alistair Johnston playing on the other side.
🇳🇱 Cyle Larin to Feyenoord. Larin has traded Spanish island life for Europe’s largest port in Europe. The CanMNT striker has joined Dutch heavyweight Feyenoord. The club is currently coached by legendary striker Robin Van Persie, this is an exciting move for Cyle.
🇨🇭Theo Bair to Lausanne-Sport. The CanMNT striker has been loaned out to Swiss club Lausanne-Sport for the 2025 season. This will be a good opportunity to gain minutes and rebuild confidence as he did with Motherwell.
🏴 Jamie Knight-Lebel to Swindon Town. After a year-long loan with Crewe Alexandra, the young CanMNT defender will be joining League Two side Swindon Town FC on a year-long loan.
🇵🇹 Dieu-Merci Michel to Leiria. The young Canadian forward has been loaned-out for a year to Portuguese side UD Leiria from Vitoria SC. The loan deal includes an option to buy.
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Canucks Abroad
🌍 Canucks Abroad
Arsenal Women
European women’s football is BACK. That’s capital B-A-C-K back. CanWNT stars pulled out all the stops as the WSL, Première Ligue and Frauen-Bundesliga kicked off this week:
🔴 Olivia Smith GOLAZO. Olivia Smith broke the internet this week. Not that she hasn’t before, but, in terms of debut goals? We challenge you to find any that were better than Liv’s. Arsenal’s record signing also claimed Player of the Match on her debut, because that’s just the player she is.
🩵 Jade Rose makes her WSL debut. Jade has arrived in Manchester. The Harvard graduate was straight into City’s first XI of the season, an unfortunate 2-1 defeat to Kadeisha Buchanan’s Chelsea.
👹 Jayde Riviere assist. It was a nice week for Canadian defenders in Manchester. Riviere picked out the perfect cross on United’s second goal in a 4-0 win over Leicester to kick off the season.
🇩🇪 Vanessa Gilles scores in front of 57,000. Bayern moved their season-opener to the Allianz Arena and absolutely smashed the Bundesliga attendance record. Gilles, naturally, headed home Bayern’s first goal of the league campaign off, you guessed it, a corner.
🇸🇪 Carly Wickenheiser scores. The D-mid equalized for Häcken on a rebound off the post in a 1-1 draw with Kristianstad. A high-effort goal that would make any coach proud.
🇫🇷 Florianne Jourde debuts for PSG. Jourde checked off a major milestone, getting the start in their Première Ligue opener against Lens. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, but solid steps nonetheless at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
🏴 Sabrina D’Angelo subbed out. The lone downside this week was Aston Villa keeper Sabrina D’Angelo being withdrawn at half-time in Villa’s 0-0 draw at Brighton. It seems like it was just precautionary due to concussion protocol, but nonetheless, we hope a speedy recovery for Sabs.
NWSL Canucks were up to the challenge. Not to be outdone by their teammates in Europe, the NWSL contingent also got bunches and bunches on the scoresheet:
🌹 Jessie Fleming keeps Portland’s postseason hopes alive. It didn’t officially go down as a Fleming goal, but she did all the work. Fleming popped up at the back post to guide home the winner against Janine Sonis’ Louisville.
⭐️ Julia Grosso scores and assists. A two-contribution game for Grosso on a stellar Sunday for Chicago. Grosso had the final touches on the Stars’ fourth, and the through-ball on their second in a 5-2 win over Orlando.
🤘 Clarissa Larisey also nets a goal and an assist. Larisey enacted some Canadian-on-Canadian action, as her Houston defeated Kailen Sheridan and Adriana Leon’s San Diego, 3-0. The new arrival in Houston netted the opener and set up the second in a busy first-half of work.
🩵 Nichelle Prince helper. KC are once again the team to beat. Prince came off the bench and picked a defender’s pocket on the insurance marker in the Current’s 2-0 win over Sydney Collins and Brooklyn Courtnall’s Bay.
🍀 Annabelle Chukwu with a hat-trick for Notre Dame. We don’t often talk about college soccer, but that changes this week. Canada’s leading youth goalscorer lit up the NCAA scene this week. Not one, not two, but scoring all three goals in a win over fellow youth WNT goalkeeper Noelle Henning’s Michigan State.
👏 Liam Millar returns to training. TSN’s Matthew Scianitti reported this week that the winger has rejoined first-team training with Hull, after passing his return to play testing. Millar suffered an ACL injury early last season. Jesse Marsch’s selection job just gets harder and harder. But that’s a good thing.
😔 We’re with you, Bim. This last piece of news sucks. It shouldn’t keep happening. Former Cavalry striker Bim Pepple was subjected to racist comments after a 2-0 win against Cheltenham this week. Plymouth released a statement in support of Bim, and it goes without saying that racism has no place in footy, nor anywhere else.
Canadian Premier League
🍁 CanPL News & Recaps
Valour FC
🌾 Myles Morgan, the hat trick hero. Emil Gazdov started in nets for Valour and Myles Morgan added three to his tally. It was a good day for Valour as they defeated Vancouver FC, 5-2, in Langley, BC. The result also confirmed play-offs officially out of reach for Vancouver. They are the first to be eliminated from contention this season.
👑 A long night for Cavalry at YLS. The Cavs were completely outplayed this game. York had worked out Cavalry’s backline and were able to put three goals within 83 minutes. The Calgarians were only able to score a single consolation goal that came in the form of a penalty in the 86th minute. The game ended 3-1 for York United.
🔨 Forge remain on top. The Halifax Wanderers travelled to Hamilton to face-off against the league leaders. It was a close game that, at some points, could’ve ended in a nil-nil draw. However, the Hammers had other things in mind as Molham Babouli broke the deadlock in the 81st minute. The game ended 1-0 for Forge.
🦖 Ottawa keeping pace with Forge. Ottleti are rising to the challenge and keeping pressure on Forge’s first place position. Despite a scoreless first half against Pacific FC, but this was a one-sided affair. Ottawa completely controlled the entire game and broke the deadlock with a Ballou Tabla goal in the 76th minute. Ottawa earned three points with a 2-0 win.
This week’s CPL fixtures:
Thursday, September 11
Valour FC vs. Forge FC (7PM CT @ Princess Auto Stadium)
Saturday, September 13
Cavalry FC vs. Halifax Wanderers (2PM MT @ ATCO Field)
Pacific FC vs. Vancouver FC (4PM AT @ Starlight Stadium)
Sunday, September 14
York United vs. Atlético Ottawa (2PM ET @ York Lions Stadium)
Northern Super League
🌌 NSL News & Recaps
Northern Super League
👏 Erin McLeod retires. Another CanWNT veteran bid farewell to the game this week. With Olympic gold and bronze in her locker, the 42-year-old has officially put away the gloves for the last time as a player. McLeod suffered a season-ending injury in her final match. She won’t be away from the game for long, joining Inter Halifax SC as a technical consultant. McLeod donned the red and white a total of 119 times at all levels for country, keeping 47 clean sheets.
⬆️ AFC stay on top. Toronto travelled to Halifax to face-off against the Tides at the Wanderers Ground. Esther Okoronkwo scored the game’s only goal in the 36th minute. This was a competitive game between both sides, the Tides made this a difficult game for AFC.
🏔️ Vancouver thrashed the Wild. This was a one-sided game. The Rise hosted the Calgary Wild and this was Latifah Abdu’s first game with Vancouver. In Abdu’s home opener, she registered a brace with the Rise. This was a game for Calgary to forget as they were defeated 6-0 away from home. Halifax and Calgary now share the dubious record of worst NSL defeat, both at the hands of Vancouver.
0️⃣ Stalemate in the capital. Ottawa and Montréal really couldn’t be any tighter. Both teams came into Sunday with the same record. They would also leave TD Place with the same record, after a scoreless draw. The keepers were tested but it was both backlines taking home the plaudits.
This week’s NSL fixtures:
Saturday, September 13
Halifax Tides vs. Ottawa Rapid (3PM AT @ Wanderers Grounds)
AFC Toronto vs. Vancouver Rise (2PM ET @ York Lions Stadium)
Calgary Wild vs. Montréal Roses (2PM MT @ McMahon Stadium)