CPL Newsroom

Brilliant Bustos & Bekker: CanPL stars take over in Winnipeg, fans return

In the latest episode of the CanPL.ca Newsroom, the CanPL.ca editorial crew of Kristian Jack, Charlie O’Connor Clarke, Benedict Rhodes, and Marty Thompson take in a late night edition of the podcast… Moments following Forge FC’s 2-0 win over Cavalry FC at IG Field (2:02).

The gang start by returning to Forge’s return to championship form, starting with reigning Player of the Year Kyle Bekker and his two-goal performance. Has Bobby Smyrniotis’ side dispelled any early worries? Or what does the “bubble experience” in Winnipeg have to do with their killer instinct as two-time defending champions.

Up next is York United’s 2-1 win over Valour FC (15:50) which saw the long-awaited return of fans to Canadian professional soccer stands. Unfortunately for the hometown Valour faithful, it was Jimmy Brennan’s side who captured all three points with their talented young players catching the eye of the Newsroom crew. Which one of York’s under 21 players, who lead the Jones Deslauriers/Navacord U-21 Minutes Leaderboard by quite a margin, have impressed the most so far; Lowell Wright, Isaiah Johnston, Cedric Toussaint, or someone else?

Finally, the Newsroom closes with Pacific FC’s 1-0 dismantling of Atlético Ottawa (29:36), specifically Marco Bustos and Kadin Chung’s brilliant combination up the right-hand side. Bustos’ brilliance led to the match’s lone goal and led Kristian, rightfully so, ask how do you stop Marco Bustos?

'Matchweek' 3 roundup: Aird's goalazo, controversial calls, Forge & Valour win

In the latest episode of the CanPL.ca Newsroom, the CanPL.ca editorial crew of Kristian Jack, Charlie O’Connor Clarke, Brady Reid, Benedict Rhodes, and Marty Thompson digest The Kickoff in Winnipeg's third matchweek.

The gang starts things with the first match of the weekend: a scoreless draw between HFX Wanderers and Cavalry FC (3:08). When will Halifax find the back of the net? How about Cavalry FC’s depth – centreback Karifa Yao, midfielder Elliott Simmons… the list goes on.

Valour FC’s 2-0 dispatching of Atlético Ottawa (13:01) followed with praises once again going to Rob Gale and his side who, don’t look now, went top of the table with this result. Keven Aleman’s performance as a false nine and Gale’s shifting tactics left Kristian and Charlie cooing while questions of Ottawa’s ability in the final third left more questions than answers.

Forge FC’s 3-0 win over Pacific FC (25:18) left the gang relived, if anything, for Hamilton’s first win of the season. Goals from Mo Babouli, Chris Nanco, and Tristan Borges allowed the two-time defending champions to “play free” against a rotated Pacific side.

Finally, the Newsroom closes with FC Edmonton and York United’s 1-1 draw (34:01) on Sunday night which gave us a stunning goal from Fraser Aird and a surprising shush celebration from Michael Petrasso. Also, of course, they had to talk about that penalty that Easton "Oh No" Ongaro failed to convert.

In the latest episode of the CanPL.ca Newsroom, the CanPL.ca editorial crew of Kristian Jack, Charlie O’Connor Clarke, Brady Reid, Benedict Rhodes, and Marty Thompson digest a blistering second matchweek at The Kickoff in Winnipeg.

The gang starts things with the first match of the weekend: a scoreless draw between HFX Wanderers and Cavalry FC (3:08). When will Halifax find the back of the net? How about Cavalry FC’s depth – centreback Karifa Yao, midfielder Elliott Simmons… the list goes on.

Valour FC’s 2-0 dispatching of Atlético Ottawa (13:01) followed with praises once again going to Rob Gale and his side who, don’t look now, went top of the table with this result. Keven Aleman’s performance as a false nine and Gale’s shifting tactics left Kristian and Charlie cooing while questions of Ottawa’s ability in the final third left more questions than answers.

Forge FC’s 3-0 win over Pacific FC (25:18) left the gang relived, if anything, for Hamilton’s first win of the season. Goals from Mo Babouli, Chris Nanco, and Tristan Borges allowed the two-time defending champions to “play free” against a rotated Pacific side.

Finally, the Newsroom closes with FC Edmonton and York United’s 1-1 draw (34:01) on Sunday night which gave us a stunning goal from Fraser Aird and a surprising shush celebration from Michael Petrasso. Also, of course, they had to talk about that penalty that Easton "Oh No" Ongaro failed to convert.

Jubilant Edmonton, Cavalry & Valour carrying momentum at The Kickoff

In the latest episode of the CanPL.ca Newsroom, the CanPL.ca editorial crew of Kristian Jack, Charlie O’Connor Clarke, Brady Reid, Benedict Rhodes, and Marty Thompson digest a blistering second matchweek at The Kickoff in Winnipeg.

First up, the gang take off from FC Edmonton’s historic 2-0 victory over Forge FC (4:20) Thursday – the club’s first win in over 600 days. From stanch defending to Ramon Soria and Jeannot Esua’s goals, Alan Koch’s first win in CanPL was one to be remembered. Forge, on the other hand, lose back-to-back matches without scoring for the first time ever – what needs to change for the two-time defending champions?

Next up is York United and Pacific FC’s highly-entertaining 2-2 draw (15:05). What’s to like about York’s young group? What about Pa-Modou Kah’s Pacific side – how did they handle their cagey affair?

Cavalry FC’s 4-1 romp over Atlético Ottawa followed (23:01), with Charlie gushing over Tommy Wheeldon Jr. and his side’s ability to press and pass freely (second-most passes completed in CPL history, we may add). How did Cavalry seem to out-fit an Ottawa side with a proper pre-season so effectively and, after two wins from two, are they early favourites?

Finally, we needed to talk about Valour FC and specifically Rob Gale, who captured their second-straight 2-0 win Wednesday by dispatching HFX Wanderers (34:11). Just how long can the Winnipeg side continue this underdog narrative with Andrew Jean-Baptiste and standout midfielder Raph Ohin – dubbed the Winnipeg Kante by Gale – among their ranks?

Plus, the gang banter through an extra time segment: Greatest goal you’ve ever scored? Which celebrity will Gale mention in his next press conference?

Welcome back: 2021 CPL season opening weekend roundtable!

New season, new newsroom!

In the latest episode of the CanPL.ca Newsroom, the CanPL.ca editorial crew of Kristian Jack, Charlie O’Connor Clarke, Brady Reid, Benedict Rhodes, and Marty Thompson cap off the first week of action from the 2021 Canadian Premier League season played out in Winnipeg, Manitoba at IG Field.

First up, the gang recaps Atletcio Ottawa’s late win over FC Edmonton in the season opener – did Ottawa’s “M, M, and M” midfield deliver? What positives can we take from Alan Koch’s first match in charge of the Eddies?

Next up was Pacific FC’s comprehensive 2-0 win over HFX Wanderers FC. Marco Bustos’ blast and a Steven Gerrard-like thump from Ollie Basset stole the show on the pitch.

Valour FC taking down two-time defending Forge FC Sunday was another highlight – especially with Rob Gale’s cagey comments to the media afterward. Did we underestimate Winnipeg? The gang reacts to Gale’s clips.

Finally, the gang caps things off with Cavalry FC taking down a new-look York United side… but all the talk revolves around Jose Escalante, who played a big part in both Cavs goals. Welcome back to the CPL, Jose!

Atlético Ottawa & Wanderers preview + The Kickoff's opening weekend 🎉⚽

In the latest episode of the CanPL.ca Newsroom, Charlie O’Connor-Clarke and Marty Thompson talk about the 2021 CPL season format, preview Atlético Ottawa and HFX Wanderers seasons with Return to the Stage presented by Volkswagen Canada, and revel in a long-awaited return to matchdays.

To read/watch Kristian Jack and Commissioner David Clanachan’s chat about Thursday’s 2021 CPL season announcement, click here: https://canpl.ca/article/cpl-commissioner-clanachan-on-2021-season-new-format-its-like-christmas-day-right-now

Forge + York 2021 season previews + Concacaf League draw

In the latest episode of the CanPL.ca Newsroom, Charlie O’Connor-Clarke and Marty Thompson preview Forge FC and York United’s 2021 seasons with Return to the Stage presented by Volkswagen Canada – what’s different about this Forge side, whether or not we should temper expectations with Jimmy Brennan’s York side and much more.

Plus, the gang previews Forge’s Concacaf League draw, starting with Salvadorian side CD FAS which features a familiar face among its ranks.

CanMNT, FCE & Valour previews & Ranking the 2021 CPL kits

In the latest episode of the CanPL.ca Newsroom, Charlie O’Connor-Clarke and Marty Thompson revel in the Canadian men’s national team’s historic qualification for the final round of 2022 World Cup qualifying and offer insight into the "Octagon" – Concacaf’s eight-time finale.

Plus the gang continues its Return to the Stage presented by Volkswagen Canada series by previewing FC Edmonton and Valour FC’s pre-seasons.

Finally, Charlie and Marty are joined by Josh Chapman, the man behind popular kit culture blog The Kitsman, to review the 2021 CPL Community kits produced by Macron.

CanMNT vs. Haiti & Return to the Stage (feat. Pacific FC's Marco Bustos)

In the latest episode of the CanPL.ca Newsroom, Charlie O’Connor-Clarke and Marty Thompson take on the Canadian men’s national team’s massive win over Haiti in the first leg of their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying series and tee-up Tuesday’s second round finale (9pm ET/6pm PT on OneSoccer) – how will John Herdman’s side approach their biggest match in half a decade?

Plus, the gang dive into 2021 CPL lookaheads with Return to the Stage presented by Volkswagen Canada. Up first, Pacific FC and Cavalry FC. Player of the Year nominee in 2020 Marco Bustos joins the show to preview PFC’s upcoming season, his return to his hometown of Winnipeg, and his Volkswagen ad that’s getting loads of airtime during the European Championships.

Kristian Jack joins CanPL + 'The Kickoff' preview

Charlie O’Connor-Clarke and Marty Thompson are joined by newly-named CPL VP of Media and Content Kristian Jack who speaks about his new role with both the League and OneSoccer, his impressions on the CPL, and much more.

Valour & York make major moves, CanMNT predictor

In the latest episode of the CanPL.ca Newsroom, Charlie O’Connor-Clarke and Marty Thompson jump on the latest CPL signings and news as the 2021 season inches closer. Plus, the gang plays a game of Canadian men’s national team predictor ahead of major 2022 World Cup Qualifying matches against Aruba Saturday night (8 pm ET/5 pm PT) and versus Suriname on Tuesday, June 8 (8 pm ET/5 pm PT) – both matches are available on OneSoccer.