Soccer – Brandon Sun

Honduras' Cristopher Melendez, left, and Canada's Mathieu Choiniere (6) vie for the ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match in Vancouver, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Former CF Montreal midfielder Choinière returns to Stade Saputo in Canada colours

Elias Grigoriadis, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 5:20 PM CDT

MONTREAL - It’s been 14 months since Mathieu Choinière played for CF Montreal.

Now, as a member of the Canadian men’s national team preparing for a friendly against Australia at Stade Saputo on Friday, the game is also a homecoming for the Los Angeles FC midfielder.

Born in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., Choinière had been part of the Montreal Impact and CF Montreal ecosystem since he was 12 years old. He then graduated from the academy and joined the first team at the age of 19, where the midfielder would log 139 appearances in all competitions.

“I’m nostalgic. I’m just excited to play in this stadium again in front of this crowd. Just being (in the media room) is amazing,” said Choinière, who is joining Canada for its first international game since a 2017 friendly against Curaçao.

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Toronto FC visits LAFC, looking to finally add a win to its string of eight draws

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Toronto FC visits LAFC, looking to finally add a win to its string of eight draws

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025

Los Angeles FC's success in qualifying for the FIFA Club World Cup came with a caveat.

With the FIFA club extravaganza kicking off June 14, LAFC's June 18 home contest against Toronto FC had to be rescheduled. Given Wednesday's makeup date at BMO Stadium falls in the October FIFA international window, that means LAFC is without star forwards Denis Bouanga (away with Gabon) and Son Heung-min (South Korea) who have combined to score the team's last 18 goals.

The last Los Angeles player to score other than those two was Canadian midfielder Mathieu Choiniere, in a 2-0 win at New England on Aug. 16.

And Choiniere is also away on international duty. LAFC is also missing striker Nathan Ordaz (El Salvador) for its regular-season home finale, with away games at Austin and Colorado to follow.

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Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025

Los Angeles FC's Mark Delgado during the Club World Cup Group D soccer match between Los Angeles FC and ES Tunisie in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

‘See you at the World Cup’: Bombito staying upbeat, say Canada coach, teammates

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

‘See you at the World Cup’: Bombito staying upbeat, say Canada coach, teammates

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025

MONTREAL - Jesse Marsch quickly picked up the phone to lift Moïse Bombito’s spirits after his latest injury setback.

Canada’s coach soon learned his top defender’s trademark positivity was still intact.

“He's an incredible person, the way he handles it,” Marsch said. “You reach out to him to console him, and at the end of it, you almost feel like he's consoling you — because of his positive energy and his belief in himself.”

Bombito’s teammates have noticed the same resilience.

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Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025

Canada midfielder Liam Millar handles the ball during an international friendly soccer match against Mexico Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Canadian star defender Moise Bombito sidelined again, this time with a broken leg

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Canadian star defender Moise Bombito sidelined again, this time with a broken leg

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Monday, Oct. 6, 2025

Canadian star defender Moise Bombito has been sidelined by injury, again.

OGC Nice has confirmed the 25-year-old from Montreal suffered a fractured left tibia in Sunday's 2-2 draw at Monaco in French Ligue 1 action.

After a four-month absence following wrist surgery and a tibia stress fracture, Bombito returned to club action Sept. 28 against Paris FC and was due to rejoin Canada for friendlies against Australia and Colombia in the October international window.

But he was carried off the pitch at the Stade Louis-II on a stretcher after falling awkwardly in the 50th minute, trying to corral a long ball from Dutch defender Jordan Teze aimed to put Monaco forward Folarin Balogun behind the defence. The ball bounced off a chasing Bombito's head and fell in the path of Balogun, who chested it down and kept heading toward goal.

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Monday, Oct. 6, 2025

Canada's Moïse Bombito controls the ball during the first half of a Copa America Group A soccer match in Kansas City, Kan., Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Well-travelled Bodunrin thrives at BU

By Thomas Friesen 5 minute read Preview

Well-travelled Bodunrin thrives at BU

By Thomas Friesen 5 minute read Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025

T.J. Bodunrin finally found his fit. Most in his situation would have given up long beforehand.

The Winnipeg product left his hometown five years ago to pursue his soccer dreams, first in Lethbridge, Alta., with a few stops before landing at Brandon University.

And even last season, Bodunrin’s time with the Bobcats was far from positive when he spent most of the season on coach Segun Edward’s bench.

But now, under Diego Rodriguez Jr., the powerful striker is thriving. Bodunrin recorded his first multi-goal game in a 6-0 victory over Canadian Mennonite University on Saturday, then netted the game-winner as the Bobcats beat the Assiniboine College Cougars 3-1 at the Healthy Living Centre field on Sunday.

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Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025

T.J. Bodunrin has scored in four straight games for the Brandon University men’s soccer team. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Berhalter notches brace, Vancouver Whitecaps thump San Jose Earthquakes 4-1

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

Berhalter notches brace, Vancouver Whitecaps thump San Jose Earthquakes 4-1

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

VANCOUVER - Sebastian Berhalter has been working on shooting from distance.

That practice paid off on Sunday as he launched two long bombs soaring into the back of the net and his Vancouver Whitecaps dumped the visiting San Jose Earthquakes 4-1.

“The coaching staff has worked with me to really improve on that and have that as a weapon, especially going into the post-season," said the American midfielder. "So it’s something that we’ve worked on and I’m glad it’s been paying off.”

Berhalter also had an assist in the victory, which stretched Vancouver's unbeaten streak to 10 games (6-0-4) across all competitions.

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Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025

Vancouver Whitecaps' Ali Ahmed (22) and San Jose Earthquakes' Benji Kikanovic, right, vie for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, on Sunday, October 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Mihailovic scores late in stoppage time to rally Toronto to 2-2 draw with Fire

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Mihailovic scores late in stoppage time to rally Toronto to 2-2 draw with Fire

The Associated Press 2 minute read Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025

CHICAGO (AP) — Djordje Mihailovic scored in the 10th minute of second-half stoppage time to rally Toronto FC to a 2-2 Major League Soccer draw with the Chicago Fire on Saturday night.

Mihailovic found the net unassisted. It was his 10th goal and his first in his eighth appearance with Toronto (5-13-14). His first nine goals came in 24 appearances with the Colorado Rapids to begin the season.

The Fire (15-11-7), who clinched their first post-season appearance since 2017 with a 5-3 road win over Inter Miami on Tuesday, fell behind 1-0 in the 28th minute on an own goal by defender Jack Elliott.

Elliott atoned with goals in the 71st and 89th minutes — both on assists from Philip Zinckernagel — to give Chicago a 2-1 lead. Elliott has three goals on the season, while Zinckernagel upped his assist total to 15 in his first season in the league.

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Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025

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AFC Toronto tops Calgary Wild FC in Northern Super League action

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

AFC Toronto tops Calgary Wild FC in Northern Super League action

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025

CALGARY - Cloey Uddenberg scored the eventual winner in the 34th minute as the Northern Super League-leading AFC Toronto defeated the Calgary Wild FC 2-1 on Saturday.

Uddenberg's goal put Toronto (15-6-3) ahead 2-0 before Jorian Baucom put Calgary (7-14-2) on the board in first-half stoppage time.

Kaylee Hunter also scored for Toronto in the 19th minute.

Toronto, which is currently on a six-game unbeaten run (4-0-2), hasn't lost a game since Aug. 17, a 1-0 decision against Vancouver.

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Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025

AFC Toronto forward Kaylee Hunter (11) collides with Montreal Roses FC goalkeeper Anna Karpenko (1) during second half Northern Super League soccer action in Toronto on Saturday, April 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey

CF Montreal settles for 1-1 draw with Nashville SC after late goal from Surridge

Elias Grigoriadis, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

CF Montreal settles for 1-1 draw with Nashville SC after late goal from Surridge

Elias Grigoriadis, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025

MONTREAL - Sam Surridge's 80th-minute header forced CF Montreal to settle for a 1-1 draw against Nashville SC in their final home game of the season on Saturday.

Dante Sealy — who has now scored seven goals in his last nine Major League Soccer games — opened the scoring for Montreal (6-17-10), while Surridge’s equalizer stopped Nashville (16-11-6) from potentially falling into the play-in bracket.

“The reality is that wasn’t a good performance given what we were trying to do,” said assistant coach David Sauvry, who managed the touchline after interim head coach Marco Donadel picked up his second suspension of the season due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

“We’re disappointed because we expected to do much better without the ball. When you play so low against a team like this, you cannot afford to make mistakes.”

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Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025

Nashville SC's goalkeeper Joe Willis (1) makes a save against CF Montreal's Ivan Jaime (11) as Nashville's Josh Bauer (22) defends during first half MLS soccer action in Montreal, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Vancouver Whitecaps success made healing from injury easier for captain Ryan Gauld

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

Vancouver Whitecaps success made healing from injury easier for captain Ryan Gauld

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

VANCOUVER - Ryan Gauld knew right away that something was wrong.

The way his left leg had hyperextended was bad. The pain he was feeling was worse.

“At the time, I worried it was a big injury, like straight away, that I would maybe require a surgery or something," Gauld said "And thankfully, after doing the tests, it wasn't any structural damage, nothing that could last long term."

The knee injury sidelined the Vancouver Whitecaps captain for nearly seven months.

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Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Gauld, centre, hoists the Voyageurs Cup with his team after defeating Vancouver FC in the Canadian Championship final soccer match in Vancouver, on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Montreal Roses FC, Halifax Tides FC play to 2-2 draw in Northern Super League

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Montreal Roses FC, Halifax Tides FC play to 2-2 draw in Northern Super League

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025

HALIFAX - Kang Chae-rim scored the tying goal in the 73rd minute as the Montreal Roses FC played to a 2-2 draw against the Halifax Tides FC in Northern Super League action on Thursday.

Chae-rim's goal came just three minutes after Saorla Miller netted her second of the game in the 70th minute to put Halifax (3-13-7) ahead 2-1.

Charlotte Bilbault tied the game at 1-1 for Montreal (10-7-6) in the 67th minute.

Miller opened the scoring in the 36th minute.

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Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025

Montreal Roses FC goalkeeper Anna Karpenko guards the ball during the Roses' game against Calgary Wild FC, in Montreal, in a Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, handout photo.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Calgary Wild FC, Tim Austen (Mandatory Credit)

NSL unveils championship trophy honouring league founder Diana Matheson

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

NSL unveils championship trophy honouring league founder Diana Matheson

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025

TORONTO - The Northern Super League unveiled its championship trophy, the Diana B. Matheson Cup, on Thursday.

The trophy will be awarded after the league's first-ever final on Nov. 15 at Toronto’s BMO Field.

It's named in honour of Diana Matheson, a former star midfielder on the women's national team and the driving force behind the formation of the Canadian women's soccer league.

The trophy stands just under 56 centimetres tall and is made of a bronze base layer and a gold body to celebrate Canada's Olympic success in women's soccer. Canada won Olympic gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics following bronze at the two previous Games.

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Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025

Vancouver Whitecaps beat Vancouver FC, win fourth straight Canadian Championship

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

Vancouver Whitecaps beat Vancouver FC, win fourth straight Canadian Championship

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025

VANCOUVER - Thomas Müller signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps because he wanted to chase championships.

He and the 'Caps earned another title Wednesday, downing Vancouver FC 4-2 to win the Canadian Championship for the fourth year in a row.

“It's very good to get this winning feeling, to confirm that we are able, not to win trophies, but to sustain in tough moments," Müller said. "I know maybe the Canadian Championship, we won it now four years in a row. And you also play against teams that are in lower leagues. But, you still have to finish the job."

It was a historic win for the Whitecaps, who play in Major League Soccer, marking the first time in the tournament's modern era that a team has hoisted the Voyageurs Cup four years in a row.

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Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025

Vancouver Whitecaps' Thomas Muller (13) celebrates his goal against Vancouver FC with teammates during the first half of the Canadian Championship final soccer match, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Ballan, Rodriguez named BU’s athletes of month

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

Ballan, Rodriguez named BU’s athletes of month

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025

More than halfway into the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference women’s soccer season, just one team has been able to break the Brandon University Bobcats’ defence.

Tarin Ballan is a big reason for that.

The fourth-year defender has anchored the nationally ranked Bobcats to a 6-1-0 record and was named BU’s female athlete of the month on Wednesday, along with male winner Camilo Rodriguez.

“It’s exciting, also surprising,” Ballan said. “I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in if it weren’t for my team. Their support and how we came into the season really helped.”

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Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025

Tarin Ballan, left, and Camilo Rodriguez were named Brandon University’s athletes of the month on Wednesday. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Canadian FIFA VP pushes back on Trump comments about moving World Cup games from ‘dangerous’ cities

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Canadian FIFA VP pushes back on Trump comments about moving World Cup games from ‘dangerous’ cities

The Associated Press 3 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025

LONDON (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump was reminded Wednesday that FIFA, not any government, ultimately decides which cities will host 2026 World Cup games.

Trump suggested last week he could declare cities “not safe” for the 104-game soccer tournament next summer and alter a detailed hosting plan that FIFA confirmed in 2022. It includes NFL stadiums near New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The 11 U.S. host cities, plus three in Mexico and two in Canada (Toronto and Vancouver), are contracted with FIFA which would face significant logistical and legal issues to make changes in the eight months before the June 11 kickoff.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions,” the soccer body’s vice president Victor Montagliani, who is based in Vancouver, said Wednesday at a sports business conference in London.

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Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025

FILE - President Donald Trump, from right, pumps his fist as he and first lady Melania Trump look to the crowd while attending the Club World Cup final soccer match, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Vancouver Whitecaps captain Gauld to return in Canadian Championship final

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Vancouver Whitecaps captain Gauld to return in Canadian Championship final

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025

VANCOUVER - Vancouver Whitecaps captain Ryan Gauld is set to return from a lengthy knee injury Wednesday when his team hosts Vancouver FC in the Canadian Championship final.

The team has not announced whether the 29-year-old Scottish attacking midfielder will be in the starting lineup or available off the bench.

Gauld has not played since March 8 when he sprained his left knee cap during a Major League Soccer game against CF Montreal, but returned to full training with his teammates in recent weeks.

His addition to the lineup comes during a crucial period for the 'Caps. The club will look to capture its fourth straight Canadian Championship title on Wednesday, and has just three games left on the regular-season schedule.

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Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025

October 10, 2025

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