The Island Games invokes images of relaxing diversions possibly followed by a Mai Tai. In reality, the Canadian Premier League’s tournament in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island — which will serve as the entire 2020 season — will be anything but relaxed. It will be a grind and a sprint to the finish as the teams…
2019 Spring Season wrap-up Matthew Gourlie The weather was often miserable, goals were at a premium and there were some growing pains. In short, the first Canadian Premier League spring season was great. While it was far from perfect, there was a lot to recommend as the CPL got off the ground The quality of play…
Matthew Gourlie The Canadian Premier League is going to experience some growing pains in its early years. As long as they get more right than wrong, learn from their mistakes and keep improving there is every reason to believe that they can thrive. Thursday, the CPL unveiled their first selection of kits and while they…
Four Canadian internationals amongst first 10 Canadian Premier League player signings Matthew Gourlie Nineteen months ago the Canadian Premier League was ratified by the Canadian Soccer Association. Then came team launches, a head office, team identities, membership sales, a kit deal, nationwide open trials and a collegiate draft. Still, Thursday was a red-letter day in…
Canadian Premier League makes inaugural U Sports draft picks Matthew Gourlie Goals change games. With the first pick in the inaugural Canadian Premier League draft, Cavalry FC hopes they have found a game-changing forward. The Calgary club made Carleton University’s Gabriel Bitar the league’s first draft choice Monday. “He’s a forward who fits the way…
Sigma co-founder in charge at CPL’s Forge FC Matthew Gourlie Most Canadian Premier League head coaches have called the chance to build a team and a program from the ground up, a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” For Bobby Smyrniotis, it will be at least a twice-in-a-lifetime opportunity. After co-founding the Sigma FC program in Mississauga, the 39-year-old…
Martin Nash and Jordan Santiago join Wheeldon in moving over from PDL champs to Cavs FC By Matthew Gourlie Cavalry FC has found two good men to join their ranks. Tuesday, the Calgary-based Canadian Premier League named Martin Nash as Tommy Wheeldon Jr.’s assistant coach, while also naming Jordan Santiago as the club’s goalkeeper coach.…
Former Danish international joins Pacific FC becomes first foreign CPL head coach By Matthew Gourlie When he was 31 years old, Michael Silberbauer was demoted to the under-21 side of Swiss club BSC Young Boys. It could have been a big blow to a player who had been in Denmark’s squad for the 2012 Euros…
Brennan to assume York 9 head coaching post along with role as VP and co-owner Matthew Gourlie When Jim Brennan was introduced as York 9 FC’s head coach he took off a suit jacket and put a track suit top over his dress shirt. It was a fitting symbol. In becoming York 9’s first head…
CPL goes truly ad mari usque ad mare with addition of Pacific FC Matthew Gourlie Rob Friend was 27 when he became the fifth Canadian international to play in the German Bundesliga. His journey to the highest levels of the game began when he left Kelowna to continue his soccer career at a pair of…
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