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…
Handicapping the Canadian Premier League spring season Matthew Gourlie Predicting who will end up on top of the Canadian Premier League after its inaugural season is basically impossible at this stage. I am inclined to believe that anyone who thinks they can is deluding themselves. To whit: in 1996 DC United book-ended the first Major…
Forge FC 1 York 9 FC 1 HAMILTON — The first Canadian Premier League match between Forge FC and York 9 FC ended in a draw. But there were plenty of winners on the day. Both teams set out to attack and put on an entertaining display that sent the 17,611 home pleased following a…
Matthew Gourlie This web site is called June of 86 for a simple reason. It was the month that Canada competed for the first — and thus far only — time at a World Cup. But that’s not it. Not entirely. That was the month that I went from being a soccer fan to something…
York 9 FC players see the league — and Saturday’s inaugural match — as a great opportunity Matthew Gourlie TORONTO — The life of a professional Canadian soccer player can be a nomadic existence. One of the mandates of the Canadian Premier League is to offer a more linear path to becoming a professional that…
Veteran players excited to be reunited with Forge FC boss Bobby Smyrniotis Matthew Gourlie HAMILTON — Jonathan Grant says that Bobby Smyrniotis changed his life. Grant’s high praise for Forge FC’s technical director and head coach is far from unique. When Forge FC steps onto a Canadian Premier League pitch for the first time Saturday…
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…
June of 86 