A sprint to the final

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…

New era dawns in Canadian soccer

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…

CPL inks its first 10 players

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…

Paulus paid his dues on path to CPL

FC Edmonton head coach never stopped improving and learning every step of his unique journey Matthew Gourlie The Canadian Premier League’s mandate is to give Canadians a chance to pursue their soccer dreams at home. That is usually expressed in terms of players, but Tuesday it applied to FC Edmonton’s first head coach of the…

Faths show true faith as FC Edmonton enter CPL

Rally rabbit resurrected in Edmonton Matthew Gourlie Jay Ball felt a big celebration was in order. FC Edmonton threw a street party Friday night to launch their entrance into the Canadian Premier League. They did it to celebrate their rebirth. They did it for the people of Edmonton and for their supporters who helped create…

Four more clubs granted CSA membership

Path clear for Calgary, Halifax, Port City and York to join the Canadian Premier League By Matthew Gourlie The inaugural season of the Canadian Premier League continues to take shape after four more franchises were approved for professional club membership at the Canadian Soccer Association’s annual general meeting in Yellowknife Saturday. The CSA has now…