CPL Newsroom

Black History Month roundtable feat. Jordan Wilson, Jamar Dixon & Kwame Awuah

In a special edition of the CanPL Newsroom, Kristian Jack sits down with York United's Jordan Wilson, Pacific FC's Jamar Dixon, and former Forge FC defender Kwame Awuah for a conversation centred around Black History Month.

During this hour-long discussion, the three players discuss their own experiences both in Canada and abroad, as well as a variety of broader topics like the Black Lives Matter movement and the involvement of CPL players in speaking out against racism.

Forge FC Concacaf Champions League preview & CanWNT chat

In a special edition of the CanPL.ca Newsroom, first broadcast live on Tuesday night, Kristian Jack and Charlie O'Connor-Clarke convene to break down everything you need to know about Forge FC's historic Concacaf Champions League match on Wednesday against Mexican giants Cruz Azul.

First, KJ and Charlie chat briefly about the upcoming match (3:45), and what they're most looking forward to at Tim Hortons Field, before they're joined by Forge coach Bobby Smyrniotis (8:29) to hear all about his side's preparation and their emotions heading into the biggest match in club history.

We hear from Forge players Tristan Borges (21:35) and Ashtone Morgan (28:20) from their training session on Tuesday to get their thoughts on the match as well.

Then, to hear from a broader perspective, Jon Arnold from Getting Concacafed joins the show (29:35) to fill us in on Cruz Azul and how Forge and Canadian soccer are perceived across North America.

Finally, friend of the podcast Sandra Prusina joins from Calgary (46:33) to discuss a variety of topics about the Canadian women's national team ahead of their Arnold Clark Cup debut this Thursday against England.

We close with a peek at the CPL's Take Flight manifesto video (1:30:39), which kicks off what's sure to be a remarkable 2022 in Canadian soccer.

CanMNT Qatar excitement, CPL headlines (feat. Ashtone Morgan & Nik Ledgerwood)

In the latest episode of the CanPL.ca Newsroom, CanPL.ca and OneSoccer’s Kristian Jack, Charlie O’Connor Clarke, and Marty Thompson return for a massive Canadian soccer roundup – with two of Canadian soccer’s more well-known veterans.

First off, of course, the gang covers just how “effortless” the (1:38) Canadian men’s national team’s epic nine-point World Cup Qualifying window was and throw out some love for their top performers in wins against Honduras, the United States, and El Salvador.

CPL headlines followed… Including the signing Forge FC unveiled of former CanMNT and Toronto FC left fullback Ashtone Morgan, who joined the show (23:30). This heartwarming chat about coming home to Ontario, Concacaf Champions League memories ahead of Forge’s Cruz Azul match, and much more brought a smile to Charlie, KJ, and Marty’s ears.

Then, recently-retired Cavalry FC midfielder Nik Ledgerwood joins on (44:10) to discuss moving on from playing professionally, what’s next for him in the coaching world, and his fondest memories of building Cavalry from the ground up.

Finally, the trio close out on a CPL transaction roundup (1:01:34), going club-by-club to dissect each roster… Before announcing their own transaction – with Marty signing off of the pod for the final time!

Beyond the Pitch: CanMNT defender Doneil Henry 🍁⚽

In the latest episode of CanPL.ca Newsroom’s Beyond the Pitch, CanPL.ca and OneSoccer’s Kristian Jack sits down for a career-spanning discussion with Canadian men’s national team centre back Doneil Henry. The pair delve into Henry’s past with the national team, his time in Korea, and that World Cup qualifying moment against Panama… All ahead of a massive three-match World Cup qualifying window for Canada starting Thursday away to Honduras (8pm ET, live on OneSoccer).

Forge FC snaps up Pacific FC duo + off-season player movement updates

In the first CanPL.ca Newsroom episode of 2022, hosts Marty Thompson, Charlie O’Connor Clarke, and Kristian Jack catch up with Forge FC's recent double signing of Pacific FC standouts Terran Cambpell (2021 Player of the Year nominee) and Alessandro Hojabrpour (2021 Best Under-21 Player of the Year winner) by speaking with them both – and Forge head coach Bobby Smyrniotis – to get an idea of how the deals came together.

Afterward, the gang goes team-by-team to recap off-season movement so far from the CPL's other six clubs.

Commissioner David Clanachan steps down, takes exclusive rights to Windsor CPL club

CanPL.ca and OneSoccer’s Kristian Jack speaks to Canadian Premier League Commissioner David Clanachan, who stepped down from his post on Monday as he was awarded exclusive rights to a CPL club in his hometown of Windsor/Essex County.

Clanachan speaks about his excitement at the Windsor project, his successes in a four-year tenure as CPL Commissioner, and much more.

Pacific FC: 2021 CPL Champions 🍁⚽🏆 Reaction, analysis & behind the scenes interviews

In the special CPL 2021 Final episode of the CanPL.ca Newsroom, hosts Marty Thompson, Charlie O’Connor Clarke, and Kristian Jack go behind the scenes for Pacific FC’s emotional North Star Shield-winning effort – a 1-0 win over Forge FC at Tim Hortons Field.

The gang breakdown PFC’s first title through the lens of a tense final… Before joining up with Pa-Modou Kah’s side on the field and in the champagne-soaked locker room after the match.

CPL Final LIVE preview show (feat. Daniel Krutzen & Lukas MacNaughton)

In the latest episode of CanPL.ca Newsroom’s Beyond the Pitch, CanPL.ca and OneSoccer’s Kristian Jack and Charlie O'Connor-Clarke host a massive hour-long preview show ahead of the 2021 CPL Final set to be played between Forge FC and Pacific FC at Tim Hortons Field (4:30pm ET/1:30pm PT, live on OneSoccer).

The pair get you excited and prepared for this massive match with some of their biggest stars – Daniel Krutzen of Forge FC and Lukas MacNaughton of Pacific FC. Plus, a surprise visit from none other than OneSoccer's Adam Jenkins!

Beyond The Pitch: Forge FC‘s Bobby Smyrniotis

In the latest episode of CanPL.ca Newsroom’s Beyond the Pitch, CanPL.ca and OneSoccer’s Kristian Jack sits down for a mesmerizing chat with Bobby Smyrniotis, head coach of Forge FC. The pair speak as Smyrniotis prepares to win a third Canadian Premier League title Sunday when Hamilton hosts Pacific FC at Tim Hortons Field (4:30pm ET/1:30pm PT, live on OneSoccer).

• 1:27 – Bobby's first soccer memory? Canada's 1986 World Cup campaign: "I still have the VHS somewhere."
• 4:24 – How a couple of simple pushups changed Smyrniotis' outlook on coaching forever.
• 7:38 – "Ajax is the idea," Bobby on bringing Dutch football back to Ontario
• 10:23 – "You bring that back here and you start getting these very good young players like Richie Laryea, Cyle Larin, Chris Nanco, Kyle Bekker... You start seeing all this natural talent."
• 11:39 – How has Smyrniotis has cultivated Forge's culture?
• 12:40 – "The biggest thing I'm proud of is we've created an identity [with Forge]."
• 14:35 – Smyrniotis on taking on football's "global food chain" and what his future holds.
• 17:23 – "I have two modes – it's football, football, football, and then family and my kids."
• 18:29 – Smyrniotis' thoughts on Sunday's massive final at Tim Hortons Field and the chance to lift a third North Star Shield: "It's a fantastic time to be part of Canadian soccer."

How Pacific & Forge became 2021‘s CPL Final-bound teams 🏆🍁⚽

In the latest episode of the CanPL.ca Newsroom, hosts Marty Thompson, Charlie O’Connor Clarke, Benedict Rhodes and Kristian Jack recap the 2021 CPL Playoffs semi-final matches: Pacific FC beating Cavalry FC 2-1 in extra time and Forge FC’s 3-1 dousing of York United.

First up: Tridents time! Kristian and co. question just how Pa-Modou Kah’s side got over the hump in this “just” semi-final. Plus, the controversial second goal… That left the Newsroom crew shrugging their shoulders.

Next up was the mighty Forge who muscled through a difficult 905 Derby semi-final to reach their third final. The gang, who were on location in Hamilton, dissect Forge’s ongoing x-factor, York’s big strides in an above-average year, and Kyle Bekker giving the visiting fans a bit of shtick!

Finally, the gang says goodbye to Cavalry and York by picking a combined best XI that is, uh, much harder than anyone realized it would be.