CPL Newsroom

Beyond the Pitch: CanMNT‘s Maxime Crepeau 🇨🇦⚽️

In the latest episode of CanPL.ca Newsroom’s Beyond the Pitch, CanPL.ca and OneSoccer’s Kristian Jack sits down with the Canadian men’s national team and Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau for a quick catch up as his side is set to open the final round of 2022 World Cup qualifying Thursday against Honduras (7:30pm ET, live on OneSoccer & Sportsnet) at BMO Field in Toronto.

Crepeau talks about taking the gloves at the Gold Cup, how Canada training makes him a better ‘keeper, and how Les Rouges’ brotherhood can be seen both on and off the field.

Subscribe for more Beyond the Pitch episodes with Canadian men’s national team players as they take in three matches in the “Oct” – away to the United States on Sunday (8pm ET) and back home vs. El Salvador next Wednesday (7:30pm ET).

• 5:09 – Crepeau talks about coming back from a difficult injury layoff going into a Gold Cup where he played every game: ‘It’s all about momentum’=
• 7:14 – "Our mindset is being in the top three… It’s going to be a journey, these 14 games."
• 9:13 – Crepeau dishes on Canada training: ‘When you have finishers like Alphonso [Davies], Lucas Cavallini, Jonathan David… It really challenges you to be the best at training."
• 11:23 – "We’ve put [other Concacaf teams] on notice – not just with our skill but with our discipline."
• 13:36 – Crepeau talks about coach John Herdman’s "project" with the men’s team: "There’s been a lot of work done."
• 17:22 – Facing the United States now vs. the previous years? "Narrative… It’s changing and both teams know."
• 18:31 – Kristian asks about some, uh, shenanigans vs. Mexico in the Gold Cup semi-finals: "There’s no smoke without a fire."

Beyond the Pitch: CanMNT‘s Jonathan Osorio 🇨🇦⚽️

In the latest episode of CanPL.ca Newsroom’s Beyond the Pitch, CanPL.ca and OneSoccer’s Kristian Jack sits down with Canadian men’s national team veteran Jonathan Osorio in a dramatic evaluation of Canada’s rise in international football ahead of the opening match of "the Oct" against Honduras on Thursday (7:30pm ET, live on OneSoccer).

In a must-listen for Canadian soccer fans, the Toronto FC midfielder discusses his role as a leader, how this team’s belief in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar has changed their results on the pitch, and how an otherwise heartbreaking loss to Mexico at this Summer's Gold Cup left him "excited" for what’s to come.

• 3:01 – Osorio on this Canada team vs. ones of the past: "We treat each other like brothers… Others triumphs are treated like our own."
• 7:28 – "We’re worth millions of dollars now, but it wasn’t long ago when we weren’t anything."
• 10:37 – Osorio speaks of being John Herdman’s Swiss Army Knife, slotting in midfield, out wide, and up top…
• 14:27 – Which Manchester City does Oso model himself on? Take a guess…
• 17:01 – How Canada was taken by Concacaf opponents at the Gold Cup: "Wow, we’re playing a team that’s better than we thought."
• 21:11 – Why Canada’s loss to Mexico was different: "There was excitement for what’s to come."
• 22:56 – What’s the difference between thinking you could win vs. hoping you can win?
• 25:02 – Osorio on returning home to play "the most significant games in over 20 years."
• 26:13 – "Qatar 2022 is an expectation now – we’re not just hoping for it."
• 28:50 – What would it mean for Jonathan to qualify: "It would mean everything."

Beyond the Pitch: CanMNT‘s Alistair Johnston 🇨🇦⚽️

In the latest episode of CanPL.ca Newsroom’s Beyond the Pitch, CanPL.ca and OneSoccer’s Kristian Jack sits down with an illuminating chat with the charismatic Canadian men’s national team and Nashville SC defender Alistair Johnston.

Check back Wednesday for a chat with Toronto FC and Canada midfielder Jonathan Osorio as the pair go deep into his international career and much more. More Beyond the Pitch episodes are coming every day as this week as Canada is set for their first three matches of the “Oct” – facing Honduras Thursday (7:30pm ET live on OneSoccer) before going away to the United States on Sunday (8pm ET) and back home vs. El Salvador next Wednesday (7:30pm ET).

7:31 – Johnston recalls his first Canada call: “I knew if I focused on my club career I would get a chance.”
9:59 – Kristian asks about Johnston’s inclusion in Canada’s back three in defense, adapting to a new role exclusively for him: “It’s a perfect fit for me.”
14:39 – How did Alistair become a self-described soccer nerd? As a kid he skipped sleepovers and, of course, utilized an unfinished basement
17:51 – Is he the Canadian César Azpilicueta? Johnston and coach John Herdman certainly think so
18:56 – “There’s no reason why 2022 shouldn’t be out of our grasp. We have all the confidence in our group.”
22:17 – What makes Canada’s band of brothers: “We have guys that got battered in Honduras… But there are these younger guys coming through too.”
24:50 – Milan Borjan’s impassioned speech following the win over Haiti was when it ‘clicked’ for Canada’s group
27:05 – Does Alistair need to start working on his singing skills? Those eagle-eared listeners to the pre-game national anthems think so

Beyond the Pitch: CanMNT's Richie Laryea

In the latest episode of CanPL.ca Newsroom’s Beyond the Pitch, CanPL.ca and OneSoccer’s Kristian Jack sits down with a career spanning chat with the delightful Canadian men’s national team and Toronto FC fullback Richie Laryea, who is set to suit up against Honduras Thursday (7:30pm ET live on OneSoccer) in the final stage of 2022 World Cup qualifying.

The pair dissect his career trajectory from League1 Ontario to Orlando City SC to Toronto, his form with the national team, and their prospects in the eight-team final round.

Check back Tuesday and all days this week for more Beyond the Pitch episodes with more Canadian men’s national team players as they take in three matches in the “Oct” – away to the United States on Sunday (8pm ET) and back home vs. El Salvador next Wednesday (7:30pm ET).

CanMNT's World Cup qualifying opener 🇨🇦⚽️ + Ottawa-HFX shenanigans & CPL roundup

In the latest episode of the CanPL.ca Newsroom, hosts Kristian Jack, Charlie O’Connor Clarke, Benedict Rhodes, Marty Thompson, and Brady Reid tee up the Canadian men’s national team’s massive week as they open the final round of 2022 World Cup qualifying.

The gang discusses the Canada squad called by John Herdman (5:01) hashes out a projected XI (8:08) vs. Honduras (7:30pm ET on OneSoccer) and debate how many points it would take for, dare we say it, Canada’s qualification for the World Cup.

Up next is Canadian Premier League action, starting with Forge FC’s swashbuckling win over York United Saturday (20:31). How has Woobens Pacius become such an integral part of this Hamilton squad and, a more theoretical question spurred on by Barton St. Battalion, who are Forge FC?

Next is Atletico Ottawa’s 2-2 draw to HFX Wanderers FC (26:29) in a match that defies description or logic. Regardless, Marty tries to parse Ryan Telfer’s red card and yet another match in which Stephen Hart’s Wanderers side dropped points.

Sunday’s second of three matches on the day, Al Classico between FC Edmonton vs. Cavalry FC (34:02), brought a debate among the guys with Charlie gushing over Joe Mason and others simply commiserating with an FC Edmonton side that just can’t quite crack their Albertan rivals.

Finally, Pacific FC’s 3-2 win over Valour FC (39:29) as the Tridents continue the momentum from their Canadian Championship midweek victory. Has Terran Campbell found a new gear and just what went wrong for Valour?

Pacific wins! Immediate reaction to CanChamp vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

In an extra special late-night edition of the CanPL.ca Newsroom podcast, Kristian Jack and Charlie O'Connor-Clarke are here with their immediate reactions to Pacific FC's monumental 4-3 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Thursday's magical Canadian Championship tie at Starlight Stadium.

Covering all bases, from the incredible atmosphere off the pitch to Pacific's relentless performance on it, Kristian and Charlie break down every angle they can think of just moments after the fulltime whistle.

They spare a thought for Marco Bustos, the Tridents' talismanic winger who missed out on the coveted Whitecaps clash due to injury, but heap praise on all the Pacific players who stepped up tremendously in his absence. 

Ending the postmatch reaction show are a few listener questions, including: Did Pacific punch above their weight, or did the 'Caps stumble (18:50)? Also, can Pacific maintain this kind of form and intensity in the next round vs. Cavalry (21:10)? 

Beyond the Pitch: Pacific FC's Pa-Modou Kah

In the latest episode of CanPL.ca’s Beyond the Pitch, CanPL.ca and OneSoccer’s Kristian Jack sits down for a fascinating chat with Pacific FC head coach Pa-Modou Kah ahead of PFC's massive 2021 Canadian Championship tilt with British Columbia rivals Vancouver Whitecaps (Thursday, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on OneSoccer). Kah discusses that match, how the Whitecaps shaped his coaching aspirations, and, you guessed it, much more. From his beginnings in the Gambia, distaste for the defensive football of Norway in the previous decades, to his people-first managing philosophy, this is a must-listen for any Canadian soccer fan.

2:31 – Why Pa-Modou Kah crossed "the dark side" from playing to coaching: "I wanted to make a difference.. make a change."

7:43 – Kah speaks about his time growing up in *The* Gambia, as the most enjoyable time in his life and seeing snow for the first time in Norway

11:42 – When did Kah know he could make it as a professional? When his dad pulled him out of training: "I didn’t train no dumb footballer"

16:59 – How Pa found a home away from home in the Netherlands: "The fun left when you play defensively."

22:10 – Pa on becoming the first black player on the Norwegian national team

31:20 – On former Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson "He truly helped me – he could have easily left me. He was a man to his word."

32:45 – "Half of the team will be from the Whitecaps so this match on Thursday will be a great chance for the players to measure themselves."

34:10 – Kah on his team’s ascension during COVID-19 era: "If you leave the game as a better person you leave the game as a better person."

38:30 – Kah offers a glimpse into tactics through "morals and values" starting with winger Victor Blasco

45:30 – Who was the best player Kah’s ever faced? A certain Manchester United legend comes to mind…

Late drama in Hamilton, Cavalry/Pacific breakdown & weekend CanChamp roundup 🏆

In this week's episode of the CanPL.ca Newsroom, the editorial gang of Kristian Jack, Charlie O'Connor-Clarke, Benedict Rhodes, and Brady Reid recap the action in the Canadian Championship, and break down a couple intriguing results in the Canadian Premier League. 

They begin in Hamilton (2:30), where champions Forge FC stole a point from HFX Wanderers at the very end thanks to Kwame Awuah's cross-turned-goal — which both Charlie and Benedict were on hand to see at Tim Hortons Field.

Forge found a way to get the draw, but did the Wanderers deserve a better fate (8:45)?

In CanChamp action, York United blew out League1 Ontario's Master's FA by a 5-0 scoreline; the gang breaks down just how important a win like that could be for the Nine Stripes going forward (15:35). 

Valour FC also moved on in CanChamp, and looked great doing so on the road against Atlético Ottawa (21:32). Can Rob Gale's side get back their strong form of the Kickoff?

Finally, a look at Cavalry's big win over Pacific: Was Pa-Modou Kah right to rest Marco Bustos and Lukas MacNaughton before their own CanChamp clash with Vancouver Whitecaps (26:07)? And are Cavalry the best team in the CPL right now (34:10)?

Atlético Ottawa turnaround home opener + Forge-&-Borges' Concacaf win

In the latest episode of the CanPL.ca Newsroom, Charlie O’Connor Clarke, Benedict Rhodes, Marty Thompson, and Brady Reid delve through Canadian Championship, CanPL, and Concacaf League action in one extra vibey chat.

First stop is Atlético Ottawaa’s euphoric 2-1 win over HFX Wanderers FC as 12,000+ fans enjoyed the club’s first home match ever – over 16 months since the club was first founded. Charlie debates whether this could be a turning point for the battle-hardened side and, of course, checks in on #MistaVibes.

Forge FC’s "lights-out" Concacaf League performance was also ripe for banter as Hamilton dispatched CD Fas of El Salvador 3-1 in the first leg. Is Tristan Borges back in a big way? Also, what can we expect in leg two on Tuesday?

Cavalry FC was next to be gushed over with the side trampling FC Edmonton 2-0 in the opening match of the 2021 Canadian Championship. Brady theorizes why Cavalry's back three has worked so well and offers praise to Karifa Yao, Cavalry’s “false left back.”

Up next was Marty’s precious “Nil Nil Report” as the gang recapped both scoreless draws from midweek – Cavalry vs. Pacific FC and Edmonton vs. Valour – before teeing up this week’s CanChamp tilts.

Beyond the Pitch: Forge FC's Kyle Bekker

In the latest episode of CanPL.ca Newsroom’s Beyond the Pitch, CanPL.ca and OneSoccer’s Kristian Jack sits down with none other than Forge FC captain and 2020 CanPL Player of the Year Kyle Bekker to discuss his life in football and much more.

The two chat about his time in MLS, specifically with Toronto FC, what he enjoys so much about his leadership role with Forge, and how he winds down when there are no games to be played – any It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia fans out there?