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Winnipeg Free Press
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Valour FC avenges 2023 loss to TSS Rovers, moves on in Canadian Championship play
WINNIPEG – Diogo Ressurreição's goal gave Valour FC a 1-0 win over League1 B.C. champion TSS Rovers in Telus Canadian Championship preliminary-round play Wednesday. Valour needed a goal-line clearance by captain Rocco Romeo in stoppage time to hold off the semi-pro side after the former Toronto FC product conceded a free kick on the edge of the penalty box. The two sides have history. TSS Rovers knocked the Canadian Premier League side out of the 2023 cup competition with a 3-1 victory at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, B.C., becoming the first non-professional team in the history of the competition to defeat a fully professional opponent. The semi-pro TSS Rovers, champions of League 1 B.C., pose prior to Canadian Championship preliminary-round soccer action against Valour FC in Winnipeg in this Wednesday, May 7, 2025 handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Canadian Premier League, SMARTCLICKS *MANDATORY CREDIT* Wednesday's win was welcome for other reasons as well, with winless Valour last in the eight-team CPL at 0-3-1 this season. TSS Rovers proved to be a tough nut to break in the first half and threatened several times before Valour finally broke through. Valour went ahead in the 65th minute when Shaan Hundal found Ressurreição just inside the penalty box and the Portuguese attacker picked the corner of the goal with a shot through traffic. TSS Rovers thought the play should have been stopped for an injury to Avi Alemu. The goal came after a spirited start to the second half by the visitors at Princess Auto Stadium. Valour moves on to face the three-time defending champion Vancouver Whitecaps in the two-legged quarterfinal. The Major League Soccer-leading Whitecaps received a bye into the final eight. The Whitecaps beat Valour 2-0 when they met in the preliminary round of the 2022 tournament. TSS Rovers had hoped to reap the rewards of the making that quarterfinal. It estimated a matchup with the Whitecaps would have meant a potential windfall of $200,000-plus in gate revenue and other sources, such as increased sponsorship from its home half of the tie. In the earlier preliminary-round game Wednesday, Forge FC defeated the visiting Halifax Wanderers 3-1. CF Montreal, Atletico Ottawa, Cavalry FC, York United and Vancouver FC had already won their preliminary-round games. In other quarterfinals, it's Vancouver FC versus Cavalry FC, Atletico Ottawa versus York United and CF Montreal versus Forge or Halifax. Valour had 76 per cent possession in the first half Wednesday and outshot the visitors 5-4 (3-1 in shots on target). But TSS Rovers' lone shot on the mark came close with a diving Eleias Himaras parrying a left-footed shot from Lowell Wright on the edge of the penalty box in the 39th minute. Wright previously had stints with York United and the Whitecaps reserve side. Valour needed a goal-line clearance by Safwane Mlah of a Danylo Smychenko header in the 54th minute to keep it scoreless as Rovers started the second half with purpose. Rovers goalkeeper Callum Weir, who had a fine game, made a reflex close-range save to deny Myles Morgan's header off a corner in the 72nd minute. After ousting Valour in 2023, TSS Rovers lost 2-0 to Pacific FC in the quarterfinal. Last year TSS Rovers lost to Pacific in a preliminary-round penalty shootout, with the CPL side needing a 98th-minute goal by Reon Moore to avoid defeat in regulation time. Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Sign up for The Warm-Up The 2024 trip to the cup competition came on short notice with TSS Rovers replacing the Victoria Highlanders, who withdrew from the B.C. league for financial reasons. Valour had not made it past the preliminary round the last three years, beaten 7-0 by Atletico Ottawa last year and by the Whitecaps in 2022 in addition to the 2023 loss to Rovers. The Winnipeg side made it to the quarterfinals in 2021 before being ousted 2-1 by Forge. TSS Rovers (2-1-1) are currently third in the nine-team B.C. league. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 7, 2025
Hamilton Spectator
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Forge FC defeats Halifax Wanderers 3-1 in Canadian Championship play
HAMILTON - Mo Babouli scored twice as Forge FC defeated Halifax Wanderers 3-1in Telus Canadian Championship preliminary-round play Wednesday. Forge also profited from a Halifax own goal. Thomas Meilleur-Giguère scored for Halifax. Forge moves on to face CF Montreal in the two-legged quarterfinals in a familiar matchup. Forge lost to Montreal in cup semifinals in 2021 and 2023. Montreal blanked Forge 3-0 in the 2022 quarterfinal while Forge beat Montreal 3-2 on aggregate in the 2024 quarterfinal. In the final preliminary-round game Wednesday, League1 B.C. champion TSS Rovers played at Valour FC. CF Montreal, Atletico Ottawa, Cavalry FC, York United and Vancouver FC have already won their preliminary-round games. The three-time defending champion Vancouver Whitecaps received a bye. In other quarterfinals already set, it's Vancouver FC versus Cavalry FC, Atletico Ottawa versus York United and CF Montreal versus TSS Rovers or Valour FC. Halifax and Forge played to a scoreless draw in Halifax in league play Saturday. Halifax (3-0-2) currently sits second in the Canadian Premier League standings, two points above third-place Forge (2-0-3). Forge had the better of the early action Wednesday and Choiniere missed a glorious chance in the 16th minute when, unmarked, he sent a shot just wide from close range. The home side went ahead in the 22nd minute when captain Kyle Bekker, after a give and go with Tristan Borges, found Babouli in a crowded penalty box and the former Toronto FC man hammered a close-range shot past Halifax 'keeper Yuba-Rayane Yesli. Forge added another four minutes late via a Kareem Sow own goal when the Halifax defender's attempted headed clearance of a Choiniere cross into the penalty box looped into the goal past a diving Yesli. Halifax finally began to find its footing late in the half and came on strong. An unmarked Meilleur-Giguère cut the lead in the 41st minute with a headed goal off a Giorgio Probo corner that had Forge goalkeeper Jassem Koleilat rooted to the spot. The set piece was triggered by a hard shot from Adam Pearlman that Koleilat pushed out of touch. A minute later, Koleilat made an acrobatic save to push a long-range rocket from Sean Rea over the crossbar. Both teams had five shots in the first half with Halifax holding a 3-2 edge in shots on target. The visitors had 55 per cent possession. Yesli made a fine save in the 79th minute to stop a Bekker free kick. Babouli added an insurance goal in the 91st minute, knocking home a Opoku Ampomah cross that just eluded a Halifax defender. Forge made the cup final in the pandemic-delayed 2020 edition, losing to Toronto FC in a tournament reduced to a championship game. Halifax has never made it past the quarterfinals and was upset in the first round last year by Ligue1 Quebec's CS St-Laurent in a penalty shootout. Halifax, meanwhile, has never won in Hamilton in any competition —- This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 7, 2025
Winnipeg Free Press
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Forge FC defeats Halifax Wanderers 3-1 in Canadian Championship play
HAMILTON – Mo Babouli scored twice as Forge FC defeated Halifax Wanderers 3-1in Telus Canadian Championship preliminary-round play Wednesday. Forge also profited from a Halifax own goal. Thomas Meilleur-Giguère scored for Halifax. Forge moves on to face CF Montreal in the two-legged quarterfinals in a familiar matchup. Forge FC's David Choiniere moves the ball against the Halifax Wanderers during Canadian Championship preliminary-round soccer action in Hamilton in this Wednesday, May 7, 2025 handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Forge FC, Jojo Yanjiao Qian *MANDATORY CREDIT* Forge lost to Montreal in cup semifinals in 2021 and 2023. Montreal blanked Forge 3-0 in the 2022 quarterfinal while Forge beat Montreal 3-2 on aggregate in the 2024 quarterfinal. In the final preliminary-round game Wednesday, League1 B.C. champion TSS Rovers played at Valour FC. CF Montreal, Atletico Ottawa, Cavalry FC, York United and Vancouver FC have already won their preliminary-round games. The three-time defending champion Vancouver Whitecaps received a bye. In other quarterfinals already set, it's Vancouver FC versus Cavalry FC, Atletico Ottawa versus York United and CF Montreal versus TSS Rovers or Valour FC. Halifax and Forge played to a scoreless draw in Halifax in league play Saturday. Halifax (3-0-2) currently sits second in the Canadian Premier League standings, two points above third-place Forge (2-0-3). Forge had the better of the early action Wednesday and Choiniere missed a glorious chance in the 16th minute when, unmarked, he sent a shot just wide from close range. The home side went ahead in the 22nd minute when captain Kyle Bekker, after a give and go with Tristan Borges, found Babouli in a crowded penalty box and the former Toronto FC man hammered a close-range shot past Halifax 'keeper Yuba-Rayane Yesli. Forge added another four minutes late via a Kareem Sow own goal when the Halifax defender's attempted headed clearance of a Choiniere cross into the penalty box looped into the goal past a diving Yesli. Halifax finally began to find its footing late in the half and came on strong. An unmarked Meilleur-Giguère cut the lead in the 41st minute with a headed goal off a Giorgio Probo corner that had Forge goalkeeper Jassem Koleilat rooted to the spot. The set piece was triggered by a hard shot from Adam Pearlman that Koleilat pushed out of touch. A minute later, Koleilat made an acrobatic save to push a long-range rocket from Sean Rea over the crossbar. Both teams had five shots in the first half with Halifax holding a 3-2 edge in shots on target. The visitors had 55 per cent possession. Yesli made a fine save in the 79th minute to stop a Bekker free kick. Babouli added an insurance goal in the 91st minute, knocking home a Opoku Ampomah cross that just eluded a Halifax defender. Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Sign up for The Warm-Up Forge made the cup final in the pandemic-delayed 2020 edition, losing to Toronto FC in a tournament reduced to a championship game. Halifax has never made it past the quarterfinals and was upset in the first round last year by Ligue1 Quebec's CS St-Laurent in a penalty shootout. Halifax, meanwhile, has never won in Hamilton in any competition — This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 7, 2025
Toronto Star
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Semi-pro TSS Rovers look to make more Canadian Championship history
There's a lot on the line Wednesday for TSS Rovers when the semi-pro League1 B.C. team takes on Valour FC of the Canadian Premier League in Telus Canadian Championship preliminary-round play With the defending champion Vancouver Whitecaps awaiting the winner, moving on could mean a $200,000-plus boost for TSS Rovers in gate revenue — and other sources such as increased sponsorship — from the home half of the two-legged quarterfinal, according to a club spokesman.
CBC
29-01-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Teen striker Kaylee Hunter the latest to join Toronto entry in Northern Super League
The hits keep coming for teenage striker Kaylee Hunter. Last year the Calgary native — then 16 — was the youngest player invited to a Canadian under-20 camp in Germany. At club level, she was honoured as the Most Promising Female Player as part of the Vancouver Whitecaps annual player awards. Playing for the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite team, Hunter saw action in CONCACAF W Champions Cup games in Mexico and Panama. The tournament also saw her face Christine Sinclair and the Portland Thorns at B.C. Place Stadium. "That was a dream come true for me," Hunter said in an interview. "I've always looked up to her since I was a little girl. So many people in Canada looked up to her. So getting to play alongside my idol, the GOAT of the game, [that's] something most people do not get to do. So I'm really fortunate to have that experience." Sinclair scored in the 6-0 Portland win. Hunter, who turned 17 on Jan. 22, will be rubbing shoulders with more Canadian talent come April, having signed with AFC Toronto of the new Northern Super League. "We believe Kaylee is undoubtedly one of the best emerging players in the country and we are ecstatic that she has decided to take the first steps of her professional career with AFC Toronto," Toronto sporting director Billy Wilson said in a statement. Hunter said the decision to go pro took some time. "Obviously school is a really big opportunity and life experience that everyone should get to go through. But in my eyes, the way I viewed this new league, I think it's a very good opportunity for younger players to realize that you can play professionally in your country — at a young age. "I took this opportunity when I got the chance and now I'm just excited to get started and kind of make a name for myself in it." She is not avoiding school altogether. "I wish," Hunter said with a smile. Halfway through Grade 11, she is resigned to schoolwork after training "and hopefully finish up high school as soon as I can." Hunter says she was drawn to AFC Toronto by the people. "I think it's really tight-knit, like family almost," she said. "It's going to become family for me. They've been really helpful and kind to me from the get-go." She also expects the team environment to be "super-competitive" — which can only raise her game. Growing up with three older brothers, Hunter is no stranger to competition — especially in soccer. "My brothers are the three people that really made me fall in love with the game the most, I think," she said. "And then once I realized that I was good at it and I could make something out of it, I kept working hard and then opportunities started to come. And now I've ended up here." Hunter was three when she started soccer. Twelve years later, she made her debut for the Canadian under-17 team in August 2023. Hunter played for Calgary West FC before moving to Vancouver in January 2024. The Whitecaps Girl Elite side won League1 B.C. and then the League1 Inter-Provincial Championship to qualify for the CONCACAF W Champions Cup. Wilson was watching. "It was obvious that this wasn't just another talented young player," he said. "Kaylee is someone with an incredible work ethic and burning desire to improve. When you combine these qualities with her technical abilities, we believe that we have a very special player joining the club." A Chelsea fan, Hunter points to Canada captain Jessie Fleming — a former Chelsea player now with Portland — as a player she has always enjoyed watching. "She likes to get on the ball in the midfield, make plays happen like I do sometimes," she said. Hunter says her favourite role is in the tip of the spear as a No. 9, but has been used as a wide forward by Canada.
