Join me as we cover the Canadian Premier League in 2025!
My name is Ivan Sørensen, and in 2025 I will help cover the Canadian Premier League (CPL) for The Third Sub. I hope you will join me on this journey as we chart the triumphs and trials of Canada’s own league.
The CPL is a very young league, which means that it does not have the long tradition of some of the bigger leagues around the word. Instead it is currently creating those traditions with fans that are very close to the league, and who have often been there since the beginning.
Each week, I will discuss the games played the past weekend, the current league table, and the upcoming encounters, giving you a one-stop-shop where you can keep up on events and hear a bit of analysis. So strap in and if you are new to this league, maybe this will be the step to get you into it as well.
Ottawa vs Halifax (2-2)
The opening match of the opening day was Atletico Ottawa (with new coach Diego Meija) versus Halifax Wanderers (coach Patrice Gheisar), with Ottawa playing on home turf. The weather was a cool 5 Celsius and drizzling rain, making for slick conditions.
After a cautious start testing each other out, the match picked up speed with a fair amount of physical play and a few slippery passes as the weather conditions contributed to difficulties. The Wanderers took the initiative early notching their first corner within the first 10 minutes and would maintain the initiative throughout the first half, coming out ahead on a lot of the challenges and keeping play in the Ottawa part of the field. The push from the guests paid off at 20 minutes as Giorgio Probo scored the first goal of the match (and the first goal in the entire 2025 season).
Ottawa managed multiple chances, mostly relying on long forward passes or quick breakthroughs but none managed to close the deal in the first half with the first Ottawa corner occurring after the half hour mark. The tough, physical play resulted in Tyr Walker earning a yellow card late in the half.
The second half opened with a shock as Sean Rea scored for the Wanderers before 2 minutes had passed, bringing the guests to a 2-0 lead.
Rather than collapse, Ottawa went on the attack, pushing the Wanderers back to the defence. At 60 minutes this paid off with David Rodriguez managing a run straight through the Wanderers block to score. The press was kept up with much of the second half being a defensive action for the Wanderers. The defence held as well as it could, but at 79 minutes Aboubacar Sissoko turned a scrappy tussle for the ball into another goal, equalising the score at two.
Reeling from the blows, the Wanderers were able to break back into the midfield and put some last minute pressure on the Ottawa side, though even with Tyr Walker sent off for a second yellow card, it never quite managed to connect. After 6 minutes of stoppage time, the match ended as a 2-2.
Ottawa Thoughts: A dangerous attacking team, capable of quick breaks and long passes into scoring opportunities.
Wanderers Thoughts: Sturdy defence and strong challenges make for a difficult opponent.
Cavalry vs Forge (0-1)
Two strong teams: Forge won the CPL Shield, meaning they finished with the most points, while Cavalry won the playoffs and secured the title.
Forge came out strong, presenting a heavy press on the Cavalry midfield, allowing several chances, while Cavalry were on the back foot and struggling to get a cohesive counter attack going.
Cavalry was saved by a decent defensive back line that managed to disrupt many of the attacks as they came in, but with halftime showing 6 shots and 57% possession to Forge, it was clear that a change of tactics was required in the second half, if Cavalry was to not only withstand the attack but also make opportunities of their own.
The second half initially seemed to offer much of the same with a crucial moment appearing to be at the 58th minute mark, as Mo Babouli received a long cross into the box and headed it in for the first goal of the match.
The Cavalry rallied in the defensive and withstood several more shots in the following minutes, but as the game began to move into the final third the pace began to slacken. Forge began to rely on a slower pace with more passing and Cavalry began to sense opportunities.
With 18 minutes of regular time to go, Zayne Bruno picked up his second yellow card, leaving Forge to finish the match a man down. What followed was Forge falling back on their own lines, fighting it out in front of the goal, as shot after shot rained in. Yet, after regular time and 6 additional minutes, the sheet remained clean.
An intense match for sure where the outcome felt in the balance until the final whistle. It absolutely could have ended 1-1 or even 2-1 to Cavalry FC.
Cavalry Thoughts: Good defensive work, but forward positioning did not always feel cohesive or precise.
Forge Thoughts: Strong press but there are questions whether they can sustain that pace for a full 90 minutes.
Pacific vs Valour (2-0)
The 2024 season had been tough for both teams, with Valour finishing at the bottom of the table and Pacific just barely making playoffs and being eliminated in the play-in round. As such, it seemed both teams were eager to prove that they were in good form for the new season as well as being able to to integrate new players in their tactics.
The match opened strong for Valour with early attacks and good passing, but the Pacific defence proved up to containing the drives. At 17 minutes, Pacific found their opportunity as a long forward pass, leading to a shot on goal, rebounded back and was kicked in by a well positioned Dario Zanatta.
This seems to have taken the bite out of Valour a bit, and the openings allowed a second goal at 29 minutes, this time lobbed in from the edge of the penalty box by Ronan Kratt, completely bypassing the goalkeeper. Valour pushed hard to come back before halftime, but the whistle blew to a 2-0 lead by Valour.
The halftime break was no doubt quite welcome, as both teams regained their bearings from a very scrappy, physical match, and for Valour to reset their team cohesion.
The second half proved a grind as Valour continued to try to push forward and make their way through the Pacific defensive block, but not having much luck. Pacific did not remain on the defensive, however, making several forays of their own, with clear chances at both 57 and 62 minutes.
As the half wore on, the tide inexorably began turning towards the Pacific goal as more and more Valour attacks got into position, but the cohesion just failed to materialise. The best chance probably came at 84 minutes, as a direct shot at close range was blocked.
Even with 8 minutes of stoppage time, it simply was not to be for Valour, falling 2-0 to Pacific.
Pacific Thoughts: A strong performance with good individual efforts and some surprisingly adept defensive work. I think I would like to see a bit more precision in the passing.
Valour Thoughts: A lot of energy and a team not afraid to go into physical challenges, but the cohesion came apart pretty quickly. It felt like a team of individual players rather than a well-drilled squad.
Vancouver vs York (0-2)
Another pairing of mixed results last season. Vancouver did not make playoffs, while York pushed through to the quarterfinal before being eliminated.
Vancouver opened energetically, but without a lot of coordination, and quickly began to feel outplayed by York, leading to an opportunity at the 11th minute by Steffen Yeates. On the back foot, Vancouver struggled to both clear their lines conclusively, as well as defend aggressively enough, allowing York several attempts on target, mostly by focusing up their left flank for quick, rushing attacks.
Vancouver’s best chance of the half seemed to come at 28 minutes, as a gap was exploited, but the cross into the box did not find its mark and the counter-attack forced Vancouver’s keeper into his 7th save of the match so far.
As the first half drew to a close, Vancouver resumed a few attacks, but none had much conviction behind them. Halftime would clearly require a bit of a re-think and an improved focus to keep pace with York.
The second half saw the rain start to come down harder, as well as a much improved push from Vancouver. It looked like an early handball near the York goal might have been the opportunity to get ahead, but it was not given.
The duel continued with both sides attacking, and Vancouver seeming much more determined to challenge and press, as well as building their own attacks, with opportunities coming in rapid fire succession at 57 and 59 minutes, followed by a corner.
The first goal, however, would come from York substitute Julian Altobelli at 65 minutes, scoring from a tight angle more or less immediately after coming on to the pitch. Despite furious attempts and physical play in the final 20, Vancouver was unable to crack the York defence, and at 83 minutes a well aimed throw allowed Altobelli to score a second goal. The match would end 2-0 to York.
York Thoughts: Good general work, with finesse and ability to absorb attacks and create quick chances.
Vancouver Thoughts: A much rallied team in the second half, but a most of their attacks failed due to a lack of support.
Week One Overview
Week One was an exciting affair, and I am definitely eager to see more CPL action.
It is of course a little too early to start speculating on table, as there has only been one game played. As it stands, York, Pacific and Forge set themselves ahead with 3 points each, Wanderers and Ottawa take up the middle with 1 point for their draw, while Cavalry, Vancouver, and Valour all sit at 0.
This upcoming weekend, Saturday will see Pacific play Forge, and Sunday will see York versus Wanderers, and Vancouver versus Ottawa.
Let me know your thoughts and predictions in the comments, and see you again for week two!
(Images: Canadian Premier League)
Thanks for the reports – I would appreciate if the final score was part of the line with teams, rather than asking me to read through to find it. That clarity would make for a more enjoyable read, at least for me.
Good call, Will make sure going forward.
great reports
Thank you so much