CPL Newsroom

Canada Qualifies for the 2022 FIFA World Cup -- Reaction Show

Canada's men's national team has officially qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, thanks to a 4-0 win at BMO Field over Jamaica on Sunday. Still buzzing from the game, CanPL.ca's Kristian Jack and Charlie O'Connor-Clarke sat down to sift through all the emotions and reaction to a momentous day for Canadian soccer.

The pair were joined midway through the show by Sid Seixeiro and James Sharman to break down what this all means for Canada, with an eye to the upcoming World Cup draw this Friday.

Plus, we hear from an assortment of Canada's players and coach John Herdman from pitch level just moments after the match on Sunday (clips courtesy of OneSoccer).

Note: some visual elements of this show might be better viewed on YouTube.

Beyond the Pitch: CanMNT and Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies

(Note: certain visual elements of this episode might be better experienced in the video version, available at youtube.com/cplsoccer)

In the latest episode of Beyond The Pitch, CanPL.ca's Kristian Jack sits down for an exclusive one-on-one interview with Canadian Men's National Team talisman and Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies, back in full training with his club after a bout of myocarditis derailed his plans to join the national squad over these final two WCQ windows.

Now, with the squad only days from this final slate of games that would see Canada qualify for their first World Cup since 1986, Phonzie speaks on what it's like to cheer from the sidelines, and what this would mean to the team and him personally.

The pair also discuss Phonzie's elite teammates at Bayern, his brothers on the national squad, and even take a moment to open some trading cards.

Beyond the Pitch: CanMNT midfielder Liam Fraser

The latest episode of Beyond the Pitch features Canadian men's national team midfielder Liam Fraser, who sat down with CanPL.ca's Kristian Jack to discuss his experiences so far representing his country, as well as his recent move to Belgium to play for KMSK Deinze.

With the national team currently preparing for this week's final few World Cup qualifying matches, Fraser reflected on the journey so far under John Herdman and what it would mean to him to qualify for Qatar 2022.

Beyond the Pitch: CanMNT defender Steven Vitória

(Note: certain visual elements of this episode might be better experienced in the video version, available at youtube.com/cplsoccer)

In the latest episode of Beyond The Pitch, CanPL.ca's Kristian Jack returns for an exclusive one-on-one interview with Canadian Men's National Team defender Steven Vitória, only days ahead of the final window of World Cup Qualification, a slate of three games that would see Canada qualify for their first World Cup since 1986 with a single point.

The pair delve into Vitória's storied history with Benfica, his less than traditional call-up to the senior team, what it's like to train under John Herdman and defend Alphonso Davies, and even take a breath to display some "fan-art".

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.