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FILE - Italy's head coach Luciano Spalletti gestures during the soccer Nations League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Italy and Germany in Milan, Italy, on March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)

Struggling Juventus hires former Napoli and Italy coach Luciano Spalletti

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 12:38 PM CDT

TURIN, Italy (AP) — Former Napoli and Italy coach Luciano Spalletti was hired to manage struggling Juventus on Thursday and tasked with making the record 36-time Serie A champion a title contender again.

Juventus announced it had signed Spalletti to an eight-month contract — to the end of June. Italian media reports that the contract will be automatically renewed if the club qualifies for the Champions League.

The move comes three days after Igor Tudor was fired following three straight losses and an eight-match winless run that had dated back to Sept. 13. The run ended with a 3-1 win over Udinese on Wednesday under interim coach Massimo Brambilla.

“We are delighted to welcome a coach with such expertise and experience to the Bianconeri family: welcome to Juventus and good luck, coach!” Juventus said in a statement.

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AFC Toronto’s Marko Milanovic named Northern Super League coach of the year

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

AFC Toronto’s Marko Milanovic named Northern Super League coach of the year

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

TORONTO - AFC Toronto's Marko Milanovic has been named coach of the year in the Northern Super League.

Milanovic led Toronto to first place in the standings in the league's inaugural season with a 16-6-3 record. With 51 points, Toronto finished 12 points ahead of its nearest competitors with the Ottawa Rapid and Vancouver Rise both finishing with 39 points.

The award was decided in a vote of the six NSL coaches (who were not allowed to vote for themselves). The voting process mirrored that of the players’ end-of-year awards, where players vote for their peers.

Toronto led the six-team league in goals scored (42) and ranked second in goals allowed (24), just behind Montreal.

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Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

AFC Toronto midfielder Victoria Pickett (94) and midfielder Aoi Kizaki (13) greet fans after Northern Super League soccer action against Montreal Roses FC in Toronto on Saturday, April 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
AFC Toronto midfielder Victoria Pickett (94) and midfielder Aoi Kizaki (13) greet fans after Northern Super League soccer action against Montreal Roses FC in Toronto on Saturday, April 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey

Canada’s Tani Oluwaseyi scores a hat-trick for Villarreal in Spain’s Copa del Rey

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Canada’s Tani Oluwaseyi scores a hat-trick for Villarreal in Spain’s Copa del Rey

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

LUCENA - Canadian international Tani Oluwaseyi scored a hat-trick in Villarreal CF's 6-0 win over lower-tier Ciudad de Lucena in first-round Copa del Rey play Wednesday.

Lucene plays in the Tercera Federación, the fifth tier of Spanish soccer. Villarreal, which is also home to Canadian international Tajon Buchanan, currently sits third in La Liga, the top tier, at 6-2-2.

Oluwaseyi scored in the 15th, 17th and 71st minute.

The 25-year-old striker from Mississauga, Ont., joined the Spanish side on Aug. 29 in a transfer from Minnesota United.

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Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

Real Madrid's Dean Huijsen, right, and Villarreal's Tani Oluwaseyi challenge for the ball during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's Dean Huijsen, right, and Villarreal's Tani Oluwaseyi challenge for the ball during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Blackmon eager to return from injury as Vancouver Whitecaps continue playoff run

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Blackmon eager to return from injury as Vancouver Whitecaps continue playoff run

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

VANCOUVER - Awards weren't on Tristan Blackmon's mind when he and the Vancouver Whitecaps headed into training camp in January. 

The club had a new head coach and questions lingered over whether the 'Caps could build on last year's first-round playoff exit. 

A stellar regular-season campaign for Blackmon and his teammates changed everything. On Tuesday, the 29-year-old American was named Major League Soccer's defender of the year. 

"It wasn't something I wanted to check off at the beginning of the year," Blackmon said Wednesday. "But I think as a collective, the guys have helped me a lot, and we've all grown so much as a team. And you only get those awards if the team is really doing well. So all credit to the guys for helping me throughout the year.”

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Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

Vancouver Whitecaps' Thomas Muller scores on a penalty kick during the second half in Game 1 of a first round MLS Cup playoff soccer match against FC Dallas, in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Whitecaps' Thomas Muller scores on a penalty kick during the second half in Game 1 of a first round MLS Cup playoff soccer match against FC Dallas, in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canada blanks Zambia to set up quarterfinal date with Brazil at FIFA U-17 World Cup

The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Canada blanks Zambia to set up quarterfinal date with Brazil at FIFA U-17 World Cup

The Canadian Press 5 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

SALÉ - Canada scored three goals in each half en route to a comfortable 6-0 win over Zambia in round-of-16 play Wednesday, setting up a quarterfinal date with Brazil at the FIFA Women's U-17 World Cup.

The Canada-Brazil winner will face either defending champion North Korea or 2014 winner Japan in the semifinal. Brazil blanked China 3-0 in its round-of-16 game.

Daniela Feria-Estrada scored twice and Melisa Kekic, Mya Angus, Chloe Taylor and Amy Medley added singles for Canada at the Football Academy Mohammed VI. Several of the goals were of highlight-reel quality, although Kekic missed a second-half penalty.

Canada has outscored its opposition 18-2 in winning four straight at the 24-team tournament.

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Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

RABAT, Morocco — Canada coach Jen Herst works with players during training in Rabat, Morocco, in a Thursday. Oct. 16, 2025, handout photo ahead of Canada's opening game Sunday against Nigeria at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Canada Soccer, John Bruce, (Mandatory Credit)
RABAT, Morocco — Canada coach Jen Herst works with players during training in Rabat, Morocco, in a Thursday. Oct. 16, 2025, handout photo ahead of Canada's opening game Sunday against Nigeria at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Canada Soccer, John Bruce, (Mandatory Credit)

Inter Miami’s Messi continues to lead MLS salary ranks, LAFC’s Son comes in second

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Inter Miami’s Messi continues to lead MLS salary ranks, LAFC’s Son comes in second

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

Djordje Mihailovic's move to Toronto FC came with a $503,000 bump in pay (all figures in U.S. dollars), according to the latest salary figures released by the MLS Players Association.

The 26-year-old American playmaker has gone from a salary of $1.775 million with the Colorado Rapids to $2.278 million with Toronto. That increase will be pro-rated this season given his new deal came with his Aug. 7 trade.

Mihailovic tops the TFC salary chart but at a far smaller number than Italians Lorenzo Insigne ($15.4 million) and Federico Bernardeschi ($6.295 million), whose contracts were bought out midseason.

German star Thomas Mueller also comes at a reasonable price, at least for this season. 

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Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

Toronto FC midfielder Djordje Mihailovic (10) takes a shot on the goal on a free kick during the second half of an MLS soccer match against Chicago Fire, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Talia Sprague)
Toronto FC midfielder Djordje Mihailovic (10) takes a shot on the goal on a free kick during the second half of an MLS soccer match against Chicago Fire, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Talia Sprague)

Canada coach Casey Stoney has plenty to say, none of it good, after loss to Dutch

The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Canada coach Casey Stoney has plenty to say, none of it good, after loss to Dutch

The Canadian Press 5 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025

NIJMEGEN - Casey Stoney didn't mince words in assessing Canada's 1-0 loss to the 11th-ranked Netherlands in women's soccer friendly on Tuesday.

"Not good enough," said the Canada coach. "Nowhere near the level in terms of the technical quality, ability to keep the ball, winning 50-50 duels. Not to the standard that we need or require when we're playing top opponents."

The Dutch were faster, more creative, more aggressive and better connected for most of the game. Missing some key pieces, Canada's once-vaunted ability to win physical battles was lacking.

"I played against Canada, I've watched Canada and all I hear is that that was the hallmark. Well it ain't now," said the former England captain. "So we've got to get back to basics. I'll be honest, I feel like we look like little girls against women out there at times in terms of the duels."

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Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025

Canada women's national team soccer head coach Casey Stoney watches her team during an international friendly soccer match against Argentina in Vancouver, on Friday, April 4, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Canada women's national team soccer head coach Casey Stoney watches her team during an international friendly soccer match against Argentina in Vancouver, on Friday, April 4, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Atletico Ottawa duo among five finalists for CPL’s Best Canadian U-21 Player Award

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Atletico Ottawa duo among five finalists for CPL’s Best Canadian U-21 Player Award

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025

Atletico Ottawa’s Noah Abatneh and Gabriel Antinoro are among the five nominees for the Canadian Premier League's Best Canadian U-21 Player award.

The two are joined by Vancouver FC’s Thierno Bah, Halifax's Tiago Coimbra and Forge FC’s Hoce Massunda.

The CPL has expanded the finalists to five from three year, "reflecting the exceptional depth of young Canadian talent showcased throughout the 2025 CPL campaign."

The winner, decided by a vote of the eight CPL clubs' technical leadership as well as select media members, will be announced Nov. 7 in Ottawa as part of the league championship game festivities.

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Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025

Vancouver FC's Thierno Bah (7) jumps over Vancouver Whitecaps' Sebastian Berhalter (16) during the first half of the Canadian Championship final soccer match, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Vancouver FC's Thierno Bah (7) jumps over Vancouver Whitecaps' Sebastian Berhalter (16) during the first half of the Canadian Championship final soccer match, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

FIFA opens new draw for World Cups, with fans from co-host countries getting an edge

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

FIFA opens new draw for World Cups, with fans from co-host countries getting an edge

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Monday, Oct. 27, 2025

The 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket window is open again. And this time residents in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the co-host countries, are getting a bit of a leg up in the lottery to get tickets.

The so-called Early Ticket Draw opened Monday and runs through Friday at 11 a.m. ET, with a million tickets up for grabs. It is open to everyone but includes a "host country domestic exclusivity time-slot" for residents of Canada, Mexico and the U.S.

For Canadian fans, that means a shot at the 13 games on home soil — seven in Vancouver and six in Toronto. Mexican and U.S. fans will get a chance to buy tickets for games in their countries (13 in Mexico and 78 in the U.S.).

Those successful in the latest draw will get their shot at tickets, subject to inventory, in a 72-hour period starting Nov. 12. Fans whose entries are picked will receive confirmation at least 48 hours prior to the time-slot, FIFA says.

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Monday, Oct. 27, 2025

Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, is presented with a novelty World Cup ticket by FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the start of a meeting in his office on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, is presented with a novelty World Cup ticket by FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the start of a meeting in his office on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Canada coach Casey Stoney wants to win but has her eye on the bigger picture

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Canada coach Casey Stoney wants to win but has her eye on the bigger picture

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Monday, Oct. 27, 2025

After a 1-0 loss to No. 24 Switzerland and on the eve of a date with the 11th-ranked Dutch, Canada coach Casey Stoney offered a dose of perspective Monday.

Coupled with a 3-0 loss to the United States in the game before, on July 2, the Swiss setback sent the broadcast crew to the record book to see the last time the ninth-ranked Canadian women had lost two in a row (February and April 2023, 3-0 to Japan and 2-1 to France).

Stoney sees the bigger picture, however.

"I said to the team the other day everybody needs to calm down a little bit in terms of results, because this is a process we're going through," she told a virtual availability.

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Monday, Oct. 27, 2025

Canada head coach Casey Stoney looks on during the warm-up ahead of their international friendly soccer match against Haiti in Montreal on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Canada head coach Casey Stoney looks on during the warm-up ahead of their international friendly soccer match against Haiti in Montreal on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Cavalry’s Marco Carducci up for CPL goalkeeper of the year for a fifth time

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Cavalry’s Marco Carducci up for CPL goalkeeper of the year for a fifth time

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Monday, Oct. 27, 2025

Cavalry FC goalkeeper Marco Carducci has been nominated for the Canadian Premier League's Golden Glove award for the fifth time in the league's seven-year history,

Carducci is up against Atletico Ottawa’s Nathan Ingham and Forge FC’s Jassem Koleilat.

The winner, to be decided in a vote by the CPL clubs' technical leadership as well as select media, will be announced Nov. 7 in Ottawa as part of the 2025 CPL championship game festivities.

Carducci won the top 'keeper award in 2019 and 2022 and was also nominated in 2021 and 2023.

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Monday, Oct. 27, 2025

Cavalry FC goalkeeper Marco Carducci watches the ball go wide of the net against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of a Canadian Championship quarterfinal soccer match, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Cavalry FC goalkeeper Marco Carducci watches the ball go wide of the net against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of a Canadian Championship quarterfinal soccer match, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Canada’s Julian de Guzman rises up Red Bulls ranks, set to become head of sport

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Canada’s Julian de Guzman rises up Red Bulls ranks, set to become head of sport

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Monday, Oct. 27, 2025

The New York Red Bulls are revamping their front office, with former Canada captain Julian de Guzman moving up to lead the MLS franchise as its head of sport.

De Guzman, currently the club's sporting director, will succeed Jochen Schneider, who is returning home to be with his family in Europe.

The Red Bulls are also looking for a new coach after parting ways with Sandro Schwarz in the wake of a 12-15-7 season that saw the club finish 10th in the Eastern Conference, nine points below the playoff line. That ended the franchise's record run of 15 straight years in the post-season.

The 47-year-old Schwarz, a German native, joined the Red Bulls ahead of the 2024 MLS season. Assistant coach Volkan Bulut is also leaving the club.

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Monday, Oct. 27, 2025

Mexico's Paul Aguilar kicks the ball under pressure from Canada's Julian de Guzman during a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Mexico City, Tuesday, March 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Mexico's Paul Aguilar kicks the ball under pressure from Canada's Julian de Guzman during a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Mexico City, Tuesday, March 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

Juventus has fired coach Igor Tudor after three straight losses

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Juventus has fired coach Igor Tudor after three straight losses

The Associated Press 2 minute read Monday, Oct. 27, 2025

TURIN, Italy (AP) — Slumping Juventus fired coach Igor Tudor on Monday following three straight losses and an eight-match winless run.

Juventus hasn’t won since Sept. 13 and the announcement came a day after the team’s latest loss, a 1-0 defeat to Lazio — its fourth straight match without scoring a goal.

That left Juventus eighth in Serie A, six points below joint leaders Napoli and Roma and three below fourth-place Inter Milan.

Juventus also has just two points from its three Champions League matches.

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Monday, Oct. 27, 2025

Juventus' head coach Igor Tudor shouts during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and Juventus in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Juventus' head coach Igor Tudor shouts during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and Juventus in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Muller scores, Vancouver Whitecaps open MLS playoffs with 3-0 victory over FC Dallas

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

Muller scores, Vancouver Whitecaps open MLS playoffs with 3-0 victory over FC Dallas

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025

VANCOUVER - The Major League Soccer playoffs feel different for midfielder Ali Ahmed and the Vancouver Whitecaps this season. 

A dominant 3-0 win over FC Dallas on Sunday showed why. 

From the first whistle to the last, the 'Caps controlled Game 1 of the first-round, best-of-three series, outshooting the visitors 22-0 and not allowing a single shot on target. 

"I just feel like there's just a different feeling this year, a different belief this year, heading into these playoff matches," Ahmed said.

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Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025

Vancouver Whitecaps' Daniel Rios (14) and Sebastian Berhalter (16) celebrate Rios' goal against FC Dallas goalkeeper Michael Collodi during the first half in Game 1 of a first round MLS Cup playoff soccer match, in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Whitecaps' Daniel Rios (14) and Sebastian Berhalter (16) celebrate Rios' goal against FC Dallas goalkeeper Michael Collodi during the first half in Game 1 of a first round MLS Cup playoff soccer match, in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Star forward Olivia Smith leaves Canada camp, returns to Arsenal to treat hip pointer

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Star forward Olivia Smith leaves Canada camp, returns to Arsenal to treat hip pointer

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025

Canadian star forward Olivia Smith, injured in a 1-0 loss to Switzerland on Friday, has returned to her club team in England for treatment for a hip pointer.

Canada Soccer said the 21-year-old from Whitby, Ont., will "focus on her recovery" at London's Arsenal.

Teenage forward Kaylee Hunter has also left the national team. The 17-year-old from Calgary did not take part in the Swiss game in Lucerne because of an injury suffered before arriving in camp.

Hunter has returned to AFC Toronto to continue her rehabilitation.

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Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025

Canada's Olivia Smith is carted off the pitch following an injury during a women's international friendly soccer match between Switzerland and Canada, Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, in Lucerne, Switzerland. (Philipp Schmidli/Keystone via AP)
Canada's Olivia Smith is carted off the pitch following an injury during a women's international friendly soccer match between Switzerland and Canada, Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, in Lucerne, Switzerland. (Philipp Schmidli/Keystone via AP)

Canadian women down France to top Group D at FIFA U-17 World Cup in Morocco

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Canadian women down France to top Group D at FIFA U-17 World Cup in Morocco

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025

SALÉ - Canada defeated France 2-1 Saturday to finish atop Group D with its third straight win at the FIFA Women's U-17 World Cup. 

Melisa Kekic scored for Canada, which led 1-0 at the half at the Football Academy Mohammed VI. French defender Oceane Moreau Tranchant conceded a second-half own goal.

Lea Morissaint cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 63rd minute as the French mounted a late rally.

The Canadian win was marred by substitute Reed Tingley's sending off in the 86th minute. A disbelieving Tingley, who had set up Canada's second goal, was shown a second yellow card by Australia referee Lara Lee for obstructing a French player as she tried to take a throw-in.

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Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025

RABAT, Morocco — Canada coach Jen Herst works with players during training in Rabat, Morocco, in a Thursday. Oct. 16, 2025, handout photo ahead of Canada's opening game Sunday against Nigeria at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Canada Soccer, John Bruce, (Mandatory Credit)
RABAT, Morocco — Canada coach Jen Herst works with players during training in Rabat, Morocco, in a Thursday. Oct. 16, 2025, handout photo ahead of Canada's opening game Sunday against Nigeria at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Canada Soccer, John Bruce, (Mandatory Credit)

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