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CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Jamaican teenage forward Jahmarie Nolan looks to turn heads in Toronto
Jamaican youth international forward Jahmarie Nolan is shown in Toronto on Wednesday March 19, 2025, signing an MLS Next Pro contract with Toronto FC II. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Toronto FC *MANDATORY CREDIT * TORONTO — Teenage forward Jahmarie Nolan opened his Toronto FC II scoring account on May 9, finding a seam in the Chattanooga FC defence and leaving 'keeper Eldin Jakupović rooted to the spot with a well-placed low shot in the corner of the goal. With the Toronto reserve side still trailing 2-1 after the 88th-minute goal, there was no time for celebration. Nolan just grabbed the ball out of the goal and raced back to centre field to start the game again. The 15-year-old Jamaican youth international has been on the move for a while now. Nolan was just 14 when he made his debut in the Jamaica Premier League for Mount Pleasant FA on Oct. 7, 2024, and scored his first goal against Vere United on Jan. 30. Nolan, who was nine or 10 when he joined Mount Pleasant, scored one goal and added two assists in 11 appearances during the 2024-2025 season. He signed with TFC 2 on March 24, becoming the youngest player in club history to sign an MLS Next Pro contract. Nolan made his debut April 25, coming off the bench in the 61st minute against Chicago Fire II. The advice from TFC 2 coach Gianni Cimini was simple. 'He said to just enjoy and play free,' Nolan recalled. 'I was a little bit nervous because I hadn't played overseas in a while, but when I got the first touch on the ball, everything just disappeared. I started to play freely.' Nolan has one goal in six appearances, including three starts, to date. 'The footballing here is quite different than back in Jamaica,' the soft-spoken teen said in his lilting island accent. 'In Jamaica, it's more physical. Here it's more technique. A higher standard here, definitely.' Toronto FC coach Robin Fraser, who was also born in Jamaica, welcomed the five-foot-10, 160-pounder and his family to the club. 'It was nice to have a young man come straight from the island,' said Fraser, who acknowledged having some initial concerns about such a young signing from overseas. 'This is a whole different level of professionalism, I would think, than he's used to … But he seems to be settling in really really well.' 'Certainly at his age and his build, he's somebody that is really interesting to us,' he added. Nolan has enjoyed his time with the club so far, even if unseasonably cool weather has been a shock to the system. He has family here, in the form of his mother, brother, two uncles and assorted cousins. Plus, he lives in an apartment complex that houses several of his TFC 2 teammates. Nolan has represented Jamaica at multiple youth levels, scoring three goals in CONCACAF U-17 qualifying play in February in Guatemala. 'From there, my agent told me TFC was interested,' he said. 'And I was like, 'Why not come and get the experience here?'' Toronto was happy to get him. 'We definitely see a high ceiling for him,' said Toronto technical director Sean Rubio. 'We've been pretty open that we see him slotting in amongst our highest level of prospects, so to speak.' A former midfielder, Nolan has moved up front with Jamaica and Toronto, often in the role of a false No. 9 — a role he likes since it gives him the freedom to find space in the defence. Growing up, he liked watching Manchester City star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski. But he is his own man. 'I have a good scoring mentality. I like to go forward,' he said when asked what kind of player he is. 'I'm very passionate about (football)' When not training or playing, Nolan continues his studies online. The Grade 10 student says school and soccer have kept him busy, and he has yet to explore the city around him. Nolan has his eye on another move in the future. '(Toronto) is just the first step for me,' he said. 'I want to be in Europe (in) the next two years. I'm trying to modify my game day by day, score goals, get assists, and just try to get to the big stage.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2025 Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Jamaican teenage forward Jahmarie Nolan looks to turn heads in Toronto
TORONTO – Teenage forward Jahmarie Nolan opened his Toronto FC II scoring account on May 9, finding a seam in the Chattanooga FC defence and leaving 'keeper Eldin Jakupović rooted to the spot with a well-placed low shot in the corner of the goal. With the Toronto reserve side still trailing 2-1 after the 88th-minute goal, there was no time for celebration. Nolan just grabbed the ball out of the goal and raced back to centre field to start the game again. The 15-year-old Jamaican youth international has been on the move for a while now. Nolan was just 14 when he made his debut in the Jamaica Premier League for Mount Pleasant FA on Oct. 7, 2024, and scored his first goal against Vere United on Jan. 30. Nolan, who was nine or 10 when he joined Mount Pleasant, scored one goal and added two assists in 11 appearances during the 2024-2025 season. He signed with TFC 2 on March 24, becoming the youngest player in club history to sign an MLS Next Pro contract. Nolan made his debut April 25, coming off the bench in the 61st minute against Chicago Fire II. The advice from TFC 2 coach Gianni Cimini was simple. 'He said to just enjoy and play free,' Nolan recalled. 'I was a little bit nervous because I hadn't played overseas in a while, but when I got the first touch on the ball, everything just disappeared. I started to play freely.' Nolan has one goal in six appearances, including three starts, to date. 'The footballing here is quite different than back in Jamaica,' the soft-spoken teen said in his lilting island accent. 'In Jamaica, it's more physical. Here it's more technique. A higher standard here, definitely.' Toronto FC coach Robin Fraser, who was also born in Jamaica, welcomed the five-foot-10, 160-pounder and his family to the club. 'It was nice to have a young man come straight from the island,' said Fraser, who acknowledged having some initial concerns about such a young signing from overseas. 'This is a whole different level of professionalism, I would think, than he's used to … But he seems to be settling in really really well.' 'Certainly at his age and his build, he's somebody that is really interesting to us,' he added. Nolan has enjoyed his time with the club so far, even if unseasonably cool weather has been a shock to the system. He has family here, in the form of his mother, brother, two uncles and assorted cousins. Plus, he lives in an apartment complex that houses several of his TFC 2 teammates. Nolan has represented Jamaica at multiple youth levels, scoring three goals in CONCACAF U-17 qualifying play in February in Guatemala. 'From there, my agent told me TFC was interested,' he said. 'And I was like, 'Why not come and get the experience here?'' Toronto was happy to get him. 'We definitely see a high ceiling for him,' said Toronto technical director Sean Rubio. 'We've been pretty open that we see him slotting in amongst our highest level of prospects, so to speak.' A former midfielder, Nolan has moved up front with Jamaica and Toronto, often in the role of a false No. 9 — a role he likes since it gives him the freedom to find space in the defence. Growing up, he liked watching Manchester City star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski. But he is his own man. 'I have a good scoring mentality. I like to go forward,' he said when asked what kind of player he is. 'I'm very passionate about (football)' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. When not training or playing, Nolan continues his studies online. The Grade 10 student says school and soccer have kept him busy, and he has yet to explore the city around him. Nolan has his eye on another move in the future. '(Toronto) is just the first step for me,' he said. 'I want to be in Europe (in) the next two years. I'm trying to modify my game day by day, score goals, get assists, and just try to get to the big stage.' — This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2025
Winnipeg Free Press
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Defender Jalen Neal flourishing in starting role with CF Montreal
MONTREAL – CF Montreal's sporting project aimed at developing and showcasing young talent has had mixed results over its five years. Fortunately, the Major League Soccer club has been able to balance that by finding success in the trade market. Montreal has repeatedly converted undervalued or misused pieces in other squads to useful players in Montreal. The most recent example is newly acquired central defender Jalen Neal. With a lingering thigh injury keeping George Campbell out of the lineup, Neal has emerged as an able replacement over the last two games and the club pick up its first win of the season and draw the Columbus Crew in back-to-back contests. Before last week, Neal had only amassed five minutes of game time this season due to a knee injury sustained in a pre-season camp with the United States national team. 'I had a lot of weeks of training before actually starting to get some playing time, so I think I had time to get used to the play and all the tactics,' said Neal, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Galaxy on Jan. 6 for allocation money and an international roster spot. 'Since Day 1, everybody made me feel like I belonged here, and the chemistry is great between the guys.' Having come through the Galaxy's academy system, Neal arrived at training camp an already highly touted prospect and one of the most effective ball-playing defenders in MLS at just 21 years of age. Initially brought in to be a part of then-head coach Laurent Courtois's back five defence, he has pivoted quickly into looking at ease in a back four. He was even briefly slotted in at right back and used as an extra midfielder while in possession due to his ability on the ball. In the last two games he has started for Montreal he has completed 89 per cent of his passes. 'He's really impressed me. Jalen had to step in and has done an incredible job,' said captain Samuel Piette. 'I heard about him before when he was at Galaxy. He's a great kid and a good guy to have in the locker room.' Neal is not the only former member of the Galaxy's MLS Next Pro side e in Montreal. as assistant coach David Sauvry previously worked for L.A. Galaxy II. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Neal is living away from home for the first time — in a different country and a city with a different predominant language, no less. 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. 'I think I've gotten really used to the city and the club. I really like the city, the culture, how it looks,' said Neal, who trained in the snow for the first time in his career last month. 'The weather wasn't great when I first got here, but it's gotten a little better now so that's picked up my mood a little bit.' As a homegrown Galaxy player, Neal is no stranger to important rivalry games, with El Trafico — the match between the Galaxy and crosstown rival Los Angeles FC — becoming one of the most heated derbies in MLS. This Saturday, he will partake in the oldest active North American soccer rivalry between Montreal and Toronto: The Canadian Classique. The footballing history between the cities go back to 1971, when the Toronto Metros and Montreal Olympique both played in the North American Soccer League. TFC and CF Montreal, then the Impact, first played in the inaugural Canadian Championship in 2008. 'I've always liked rivalry games, whatever reason to bring more intensity to the game. I've heard of the magnitude of this rivalry by many people at the club […] but I'm happy to be on the Montreal side,' said Neal. 'You can't get too caught up in the emotions and intensity of the match, you still have 90 minutes to play.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2025.
CBS News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Fans excited for future of Bay Area soccer after announcement of new San Francisco team
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie announced Friday that the city will be getting a new Major League Soccer Next Pro Team called Golden City FC. They will play at Kezar Stadium and the city will be investing $10 million in private funding to improve the stadium. The Bay Area already has several soccer teams, including the San Jose Earthquakes, Oakland Roots and Bay FC. All of those play in different leagues. Golden FC will be playing in the same league as another team, The Town FC, which currently plays its home games in Moraga. "We're always trying to grow the game," said The Town FC fan Manny Salinpour. MLS Next Pro serves as a developmental bridge between youth soccer and MLS first teams. The Town FC is affiliated with the San Jose Earthquakes. Salinpour said he was excited to hear about a second Next Pro team in the area. "I believe it's kind of a healthy competition," explained Salinpour. Media representatives with The Town say that, on average, their home games bring in about 1,200 fans. Many of those fans say they believe there are plenty of soccer fans to support multiple teams. "I think if you look at the population, I think we all have pretty healthy populations in our cities," Salinpour said. "If you just look at Europe, for example, Holland, I think all the teams are within 5-10 miles radius. I mean, if they could do it, why can't we do it?" Co-founder of The Town, Tennyson Wilson, does believe there is a possibility of oversaturation, but not yet. "Not at this point," responded Wilson. "I think there's a lot of room for growth for soccer in the Bay Area. It's such a big place, whether you're North Bay, South Bay, East Bay, just having the ability to go see good high-level soccer, I think that's the important piece. I think we could probably get there, but I don't think we're there yet." He's excited and hopeful for the future of soccer in the Bay Area and beyond. "I think obviously, as Americans, we have baseball and soccer and football and some of these other things that will usually take some of the top talent," Wilson said. "But I think we're seeing a little bit of a shift, right? Hopefully, with some of the events that we have coming, the World Cup over the next few years, the Olympics, soccer is a really pivotal part of that, so I'm really hopeful that will build that momentum and build the fans." Salinpour believes it's particularly important to build the youth fan base. He's coached soccer clubs throughout his adult life. He's brought a lot of his kids to The Town games to show them what they can aspire to be a part of in the future. "Having a pro team out in this area is helpful," Salinpour said. "We have a lot of kids here, a lot of club youth kids, and I think it's really good for them to get their first look at the pro level."
Mint
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Sounders put unbeaten streak on line against Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo will honor several of their past legends, including Dwayne De Rosario, as part of their 20th anniversary celebration Saturday night when they play host to the Seattle Sounders. What will make the occasion even more special for De Rosario is that his son Osaze is expected to be in uniform for the Sounders. The younger De Rosario had eight goals in five matches for the Sounders' MLS Next Pro club, the Tacoma Defiance, this season. He came off the bench and nearly scored in his MLS debut last weekend in a 4-1 victory against St. Louis City SC. Forward Danny Musovski has scored in four consecutive matches in place of the injured Jordan Morris (hamstring) for the Sounders (4-3-4, 16 points), who are riding a four-match unbeaten streak (3-0-1). De Rosario gives the Sounders some depth up front. "Jordan's re-injury had something to do with it, but Osaze has been on an upward trajectory," Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said. "He's got good starting points, that's what I would say. In our (St. Louis game), some of his hold-up play, his ability to be physical. He missed the goal, which everybody sees, but I liked what I saw in all of the other important parts of the game." The elder De Rosario played with the Dynamo from 2006 to 2008 and was named the MVP of the 2007 MLS Cup when Houston won the second of its consecutive titles. In addition to Osaze, Dwayne's other son Adisa signed a homegrown contract with Toronto FC in February as a goalkeeper. "It's amazing," De Rosario told "I'm very blessed and thankful to have kids that, first, are healthy, that are driving and going after their goals and their dreams. I'm very proud of where they are. "I steered them in the direction of soccer hoping they'd be soccer players. Thankfully it worked out accordingly. I can only give them what I know, and all I knew was soccer." The Dynamo (2-5-4, 10 points), who defeated Phoenix Rising FC in the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, suffered a 2-0 loss last weekend at Los Angeles FC in which they failed to record a shot on goal. Houston goalkeeper Jonathan Bond made eight saves to prevent a blowout. "We're toothless right now," Dynamo coach Ben Olsen said. This will be the second meeting of the season between the Western Conference rivals after a scoreless draw March 22 in Seattle.
