Latest news with #TelusCanadianChampionship
Toronto Star
21-05-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
Noonan to step down as Canadian Premier League commissioner, will serve as consultant
TORONTO - Mark Noonan is stepping down as commissioner of the Canadian Premier League effective June 30. No reason was given for his departure. But the league said Noonan, an American who doubled as chief executive officer of Canadian Soccer Business, was returning to his U.S. home and would remain in a senior advisory capacity. 'On behalf of our board of directors and partners, we want to thank Mark for his great contributions to the growth and development of the CPL and CSB,' said Scott Mitchell, chairman of the CPL and CSB board of directors. 'Mark is the consummate executive with unmatched integrity, and we look forward to continuing to work with him in an advisory role moving forward. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'The board would also like to thank Mark for playing an integral role in the transition to a new leadership structure which will be announced in the near future.' Noonan, whose family home is in Hawaii, took over the dual role in September 2022. 'It has been a privilege to serve during this critical time in the sport's growth, and I am incredibly proud of all that has been accomplished during my tenure,' said Noonan. 'Since Day 1, I have cared deeply about the project and strived to leave it in a better place than when I arrived. 'Importantly, we have assembled a fantastic team at CPL and CSB that will continue carrying out the work of building a world class league, commercial enterprise, and legacy for the sport in Canada.' David Clanachan was the first commissioner of the CPL, which kicked off in 2019. The league listed its advances under Noonan's leadership, from achieving annual double-digit growth in attendance and revenues to setting records for outgoing player transfers and signing young talent. Noonan, however, is leaving a year in advance of the 2026 World Cup, something he called a 'once-in-a-life opportunity for those of us that really care about the sport in this country.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The CPL hopes to add two teams in 2026. An enthusiastic advocate of the Canadian league, Noonan doubtless took pride in the performances Tuesday by Forge FC and Valour FC against MLS opposition in the first leg of their Telus Canadian Championship, with Forge beating CF Montreal 1-0 and the defending champion Vancouver Whitecaps needing a late goal to draw Valour 2-2. Noonan also had to deal with a messy legal battle with Mediapro, the league's former media partner which alleged in court filings that the eight-team league had failed to deliver on promises to expand to 10 teams by 2020 and 16 teams by 2024. There is also the ongoing battle to make OneSoccer, which airs the league's games, available everywhere on cable. And as head of Canadian Soccer Business, Noonan was seen as wearing the black hat by those who decry the deal making CSB the representative for Canada Soccer's corporate partnerships and broadcast rights among other assets. Canada Soccer, which does not hold an ownership stake in CSB, receives an annual payment under the deal as 'the beneficiary of a rights fee guarantee.' National team players complained that the CSB deal is holding the game back and preventing national teams from getting the kind of preparation they need. Talks continue with Canada Soccer over possibly amending the agreement. But Noonan defended the deal. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'We continue to play a role as the growth engine of soccer in this country,' Noonan said in a December 2023 interview. 'We've been unfairly criticized by people who have other agendas. We're not apologizing any more,' he added. 'We've been punched in the face unfairly.' Noonan's resume include stints with the U.S. Soccer Federation (chief marketing officer), Major League Soccer (executive vice-president, marketing) and World Surf League (chief commercial officer). This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 21, 2025. Read more on the Canadian Premier League at
Toronto Star
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Forge FC edges CF Montreal in first leg of Telus Canadian Championship quarterfinal
HAMILTON - Another loss for CF Montreal. But this time the struggling Major League Soccer side has a chance to dig itself out of its hole. Brian Wright's 78th-minute goal lifted Forge FC to a 1-0 win over Montreal in the first leg of their Telus Canadian Championship quarterfinal Tuesday. The teams play the second leg July 9 at Stade Saputo with the Canadian Premier League team looking to oust Montreal for the second year in a row.
Hamilton Spectator
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Forge FC edges CF Montreal in first leg of Telus Canadian Championship quarterfinal
HAMILTON - Brian Wright's 78th-minute goal lifted Forge FC to a 1-0 win over CF Montreal in the first leg of their Telus Canadian Championship quarterfinal Tuesday. After a lacklustre first half dominated by the Canadian Premier League side, Montreal offered more to start the second half with spells of possession. But Forge broke the deadlock with Ghanaian winger Nana Opoku Ampomah curling a glorious ball over defender Brandan Craig's head for Wright to run onto in the Montreal penalty box. Goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois came off his line but Wright beat him to the ball, flicking it over the 'keeper before heading it into the open goal. It was a rare scoring chance on the night at Hamilton Stadium. The return leg is July 9 at Stade Saputo. The away goals rule is not in effect in the Canadian Championship. It marks the fifth straight year that Montreal and Forge have met in cup play. Montreal won the first three of those meetings — via penalty shootout in the 2021 semifinals (8-7 after the game ended in a scoreless draw), 3-0 in the '22 quarterfinal and 2-0 in the '23 semifinal. Forge edged Montreal 3-2 in last year's two-legged quarterfinal. After dispatching Montreal last year, Forge fell to Toronto FC on the away goals rule after the two-legged semifinal finished knotted at 2-2. In the other quarterfinal Tuesday, the defending champion Vancouver Whitecaps visited Valour FC. On Wednesday, it's CPL champion Cavalry FC at Vancouver FC. Atletico Ottawa hosts York United on June 11. Semifinal matchups will be redrawn following the conclusion of the quarterfinals. Coming off a 2-2 draw May 13 against league-leading Atletico Ottawa, Forge (2-0-4) is one of only two unbeaten teams in the CPL. But wins have been hard to come by and the Hamilton side sits fourth in the eight-team league. Forge has played four straight league draws, rallying from deficits to tie three of them. Montreal (1-9-4) is mired at the bottom of Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference. Forge had the better of the first half with 63 per cent possession and Montreal offering little more than hopeful long balls up the field. The CPL side outshot Montreal 4-2 but neither team managed a shot on target. Montreal's xG (expected goals) was 0.07 in the first half, compared to 0.37 for Forge. Noah Jensen put the ball in the Montreal goal in the 11th minute, picking up the scraps after Wright failed to make proper contact on a Mo Babouli cross into the penalty box. But Wright went early and the goal was called back for offside. Forge came close in the 18th with three players in the Montreal box trying unsuccessfully to put a shot on target through traffic in front during a wild sequence. Fernando Alvarez had Montreal's first chance off a corner in the 35th minute but his close-range shot was blocked by a defender. There was some bad blood in the 66th when Samuel Piette shoved Wright, who was blocking Sirois, on a Forge free kick. A scuffle ensued but broke up without incident. Interim Montreal coach Marco Donadel made seven changes to the starting 11 that was thumped 6-1 by Toronto FC in league play Saturday. Canadian defender Joel Waterman, sent off in the 21st minute Saturday, captained Montreal for the cup game with Piette starting on the bench. Montreal won its preliminary-round matchup via penalty shootout after Giacomo Vrioni's 88th-minute goal tied the game at 2-2. Forge downed Halifax Wanderers 3-1 in its opener. Both teams started five Canadians. Montreal was missing injured defender George Campbell and midfielders Bryce Duke, Fabian Herbers, Dominic Iankov and Hennadii Synchuk. Forge was without injured attackers Tristan Borges and Mathieu Choiniere and influential midfielder Alessandro Hojabrpour. Forge coach Bobby Smyrniotis made just two changes to his starting lineup with defenders Marko Jevremovic and Malik Owolabi-Belewu returning from injury. Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson moved into the midfield from the backline to fill in for Hojabrpour. The Canadian Championship winner hoists the Voyagers Cup, earns $50,000 and a berth in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Montreal has won the cup competition five times, most recently in 2021, and finished runner-up three times. Forge made the cup final in the pandemic-delayed 2020 edition, losing to Toronto via penalty shootout in a tournament reduced to a championship game. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 20, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Forge FC edges CF Montreal in first leg of Telus Canadian Championship quarterfinal
HAMILTON – Brian Wright's 78th-minute goal lifted Forge FC to a 1-0 win over CF Montreal in the first leg of their Telus Canadian Championship quarterfinal Tuesday. After a lacklustre first half dominated by the Canadian Premier League side, Montreal offered more to start the second half with spells of possession. But Forge broke the deadlock with Ghanaian winger Nana Opoku Ampomah curling a glorious ball over defender Brandan Craig's head for Wright to run onto in the Montreal penalty box. Goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois came off his line but Wright beat him to the ball, flicking it over the 'keeper before heading it into the open goal. It was a rare scoring chance on the night at Hamilton Stadium. The return leg is July 9 at Stade Saputo. The away goals rule is not in effect in the Canadian Championship. It marks the fifth straight year that Montreal and Forge have met in cup play. Montreal won the first three of those meetings — via penalty shootout in the 2021 semifinals (8-7 after the game ended in a scoreless draw), 3-0 in the '22 quarterfinal and 2-0 in the '23 semifinal. Forge edged Montreal 3-2 in last year's two-legged quarterfinal. After dispatching Montreal last year, Forge fell to Toronto FC on the away goals rule after the two-legged semifinal finished knotted at 2-2. In the other quarterfinal Tuesday, the defending champion Vancouver Whitecaps visited Valour FC. On Wednesday, it's CPL champion Cavalry FC at Vancouver FC. Atletico Ottawa hosts York United on June 11. Semifinal matchups will be redrawn following the conclusion of the quarterfinals. Coming off a 2-2 draw May 13 against league-leading Atletico Ottawa, Forge (2-0-4) is one of only two unbeaten teams in the CPL. But wins have been hard to come by and the Hamilton side sits fourth in the eight-team league. Forge has played four straight league draws, rallying from deficits to tie three of them. Montreal (1-9-4) is mired at the bottom of Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference. Forge had the better of the first half with 63 per cent possession and Montreal offering little more than hopeful long balls up the field. The CPL side outshot Montreal 4-2 but neither team managed a shot on target. Montreal's xG (expected goals) was 0.07 in the first half, compared to 0.37 for Forge. Noah Jensen put the ball in the Montreal goal in the 11th minute, picking up the scraps after Wright failed to make proper contact on a Mo Babouli cross into the penalty box. But Wright went early and the goal was called back for offside. Forge came close in the 18th with three players in the Montreal box trying unsuccessfully to put a shot on target through traffic in front during a wild sequence. Fernando Alvarez had Montreal's first chance off a corner in the 35th minute but his close-range shot was blocked by a defender. There was some bad blood in the 66th when Samuel Piette shoved Wright, who was blocking Sirois, on a Forge free kick. A scuffle ensued but broke up without incident. Interim Montreal coach Marco Donadel made seven changes to the starting 11 that was thumped 6-1 by Toronto FC in league play Saturday. Canadian defender Joel Waterman, sent off in the 21st minute Saturday, captained Montreal for the cup game with Piette starting on the bench. Montreal won its preliminary-round matchup via penalty shootout after Giacomo Vrioni's 88th-minute goal tied the game at 2-2. Forge downed Halifax Wanderers 3-1 in its opener. Both teams started five Canadians. Montreal was missing injured defender George Campbell and midfielders Bryce Duke, Fabian Herbers, Dominic Iankov and Hennadii Synchuk. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Forge was without injured attackers Tristan Borges and Mathieu Choiniere and influential midfielder Alessandro Hojabrpour. Forge coach Bobby Smyrniotis made just two changes to his starting lineup with defenders Marko Jevremovic and Malik Owolabi-Belewu returning from injury. Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson moved into the midfield from the backline to fill in for Hojabrpour. The Canadian Championship winner hoists the Voyagers Cup, earns $50,000 and a berth in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Montreal has won the cup competition five times, most recently in 2021, and finished runner-up three times. Forge made the cup final in the pandemic-delayed 2020 edition, losing to Toronto via penalty shootout in a tournament reduced to a championship game. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 20, 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
After lopsided loss to TFC, CF Montreal looks to turn the page in cup game at Forge
Still smarting from a weekend 6-1 drubbing at the hands of rival Toronto FC, CF Montreal looks to turn the page Tuesday when it visits perennial Canadian Premier League powerhouse Forge FC in the opening leg of their Telus Canadian Championship quarterfinal. 'We've just got pick ourselves back up,' said Canadian midfielder Victor Loturi. 'We believe in the group still. Everybody in the locker-room, we still believe.' Montreal was reduced to 10 men in the 21st minute Saturday at Stade Saputo when defender Joel Waterman was sent off for a foul that denied Toronto forward Ola Brynhildsen a scoring chance. Toronto's six-goal outburst, which set a franchise record for goals in an MLS game, avenged a penalty shootout loss to Montreal in preliminary-round cup play April 30. The loss left Montreal in the Eastern Conference basement at 1-9-4. 'We (learn) from our mistakes every time. Also from the mistakes we did Saturday … For sure, last year and from the performance against Forge, we learned something,' said Montreal interim coach Marco Donadel, referencing a 3-2 loss to Forge on aggregate in the two-legged 2024 cup quarterfinal. 'But every year and every group, it's a different match.' The return leg is July 9 at Stade Saputo. Montreal and Forge are meeting in the Canadian Championship for the fifth straight year. Montreal won the first three of those meetings — via penalty shootout in the 2021 semifinals (8-7 after the game ended in a scoreless draw), 3-0 in the 2022 quarterfinal and 2-0 in '23 semifinal. After dispatching Montreal last year, Forge fell to Toronto FC on the away goals rule after the two-legged semifinal finished knotted at 2-2. Also Tuesday, the defending champion Vancouver Whitecaps return to cup action after a preliminary-round bye when they visit Valour FC. On Wednesday, it's Vancouver FC at CPL champion Cavalry FC. Atletico Ottawa hosts York United on June 11. Semifinal matchups will be redrawn following the conclusion of the two-legged quarterfinals. Montreal dispatched Toronto after Giacomo Vrioni's 88th-minute goal prompted the shootout with the preliminary-round game at BMO Field tied at 2-2 after regulation time. Forge downed Halifax Wanderers 3-1 in its opener. Forge coach Bobby Smyrniotis is not looking at the MLS standings in preparing his team for Montreal. 'It doesn't matter if they won 6-1 or lost the way they did on the weekend … They're a good team with good players and they know that,' he said. Coming off a 2-2 draw May 13 against league-leading Atletico Ottawa, Forge is one of only two unbeaten teams in the CPL. But wins have been hard to come by and the Hamilton side sits fourth in the eight-team league at 2-0-4. Forge has played four straight league draws, rallying to tie two of them. 'They have good players, experienced and young (players),' said Donadel. 'They attack well. They won many championships in (recent) years. The great advantage also mentally, they are used to playing games to win every time. We want to do it but we haven't won many in the last year and a half.' 'This is a very difficult game,' added the Italian native, citing the artificial turf at Hamilton Stadium. 'We need to go there very humble and understand the difficulties, prepare for the difficulties and react if we face some. With this mentality, we can go forward in any situation.' Donadel said he did not expect any of injured defender George Campbell and midfielders Bryce Duke, Fabian Herbers, Dominic Iankov and Hennadii Synchuk to be ready for Tuesday. But Campbell and Herbers may be back for Saturday's league visit by Los Angeles FC. Forge will be without injured attackers Tristan Borges and Mathieu Choiniere with influential midfielder Alessandro Hojabrpour a game-day decision. On the plus side, defenders Marko Jevremovic Malik Owolabi-Belewu will both be back in the lineup. Montreal's cause was not helped by opening the season with seven straight road games (0-5-2). Coach Laurent Courtois was fired five games in (0-4-1) and the club remained winless until May 10 when it edged New York City FC 1-0 at Yankee Stadium. The Canadian Championship winner hoists the Voyagers Cup, earns $50,000 and a berth in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Montreal has won the competition five times, most recently in 2021, and finished runner-up three times. Forge made the cup final in the pandemic-delayed 2020 edition, losing to Toronto in a tournament reduced to a championship game. —- This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 19, 2025.
