Soccer – Brandon Sun

FC Cincinnati forward Kevin Denkey (9) shoots to score a goal against Toronto FC goalkeeper Sean Johnson (second left) during first half MLS soccer action in Toronto on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey

Veteran goalkeeper Sean Johnson says farewell to Toronto, signs with D.C. United

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 6:36 PM CST

TORONTO - Unwanted by Toronto FC, veteran goalkeeper Sean Johnson signed with D.C. United as a free agent Tuesday.

D.C. United said the 36-year-old 'keeper has signed a one-and-a-half-year contract through June 2027.

“Sean is an experienced and proven goalkeeper who has consistently performed at a high level throughout his career," Erkut Sogut, D.C. United's managing director of soccer operations, said in a statement. "He brings valuable international experience having represented the U.S. men’s national team, and his leadership and competitive mentality will elevate our entire team.

"Sean is a proven winner having won the 2021 MLS Cup with New York (City FC), and we look forward to welcoming him to the Black-and-Red family.”

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CF Montreal trades midfielder Dante Sealy to Rapids for up to US$2.5M in GAM

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

CF Montreal trades midfielder Dante Sealy to Rapids for up to US$2.5M in GAM

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 1:49 PM CST

MONTREAL - CF Montreal traded midfielder Dante Sealy to the Colorado Rapids for up to US$2.5 million in general allocation money Tuesday.

Montreal will receive $1.15 million guaranteed in 2026 and $750,000 in 2027, with the potential for an additional $600,000 if certain performance-based conditions are met. The team did not say what those conditions were.

The Major League Soccer club also said it could retain a sell-on percentage if Sealy is transferred out of Colorado "above a specified amount," but did not disclose the percentage or the required threshold.

Sealy scored nine goals and provided two assists in 30 games last season for Montreal, which finished 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 6-18-10 record.

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Yesterday at 1:49 PM CST

CF Montreal forward Dante Sealy moves the ball during an MLS soccer match against Charlotte FC in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Canada Soccer still waiting on new CSB deal but expects improved financial figures

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Canada Soccer still waiting on new CSB deal but expects improved financial figures

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Yesterday at 11:32 AM CST

Canada Soccer and the men's national team have agreed on compensation for the players' participation in next year's World Cup.

But there is a catch, which hopefully will be resolved ahead of the 48-team tournament's June 11 kickoff. While there is a deal, it is not yet official.

"The labour agreement framework between (Canada Soccer) and the players includes World Cup compensation for both 2026 and 2027," Canada Soccer said in a statement to The Canadian Press, referencing the 2026 men's and 2027 women's World Cups. "Its ratification is dependent on the CSB (Canadian Soccer Business) agreement being resolved."

Canadian Soccer Business, whose investor group and board includes the Canadian Premier League owners, looks after marketing and broadcast rights for both Canada Soccer and the CPL, which just completed its seventh season.

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Yesterday at 11:32 AM CST

Canada men’s soccer national team head coach Jesse Marsch (left to right), Canada Soccer CEO and General Secretary Kevin Blue and Canada women’s national soccer team head coach Casey Stoney are photographed in Toronto on Monday, March 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Canada coach Jesse Marsch to hold January camp for North American-based players

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Canada coach Jesse Marsch to hold January camp for North American-based players

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Monday, Dec. 22, 2025

Canada coach Jesse Marsch will hold a 10-day January camp in California for North American-based players, ahead of a friendly against Guatemala.

The camp will run Jan. 8-18 in Irvine, Calif., with the game against No. 94 Guatemala on Jan. 17 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

With European-based players tied up with domestic club competition, the camp is for out-of-season North American players.

The Guatemala game will be classified as a Tier 1 international fixture and count toward FIFA men’s world rankings, according to Canada Soccer.

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Monday, Dec. 22, 2025

Canada forward Jacob Shaffelburg (14) acknowledges head coach Jesse Marsch, right, while leaving the field after receiving a red card during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match against Guatemala, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

CF Montreal and forward Matías Cóccaro mutually part ways

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

CF Montreal and forward Matías Cóccaro mutually part ways

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Monday, Dec. 22, 2025

MONTREAL - CF Montreal has mutually agreed to a contract termination with forward Matías Cóccaro.

The Major League Soccer club announced the move in a statement Monday, saying the agreement is effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Montreal picked up the 28-year-old Cóccaro from Argentine first division side CA Huracán on Jan. 31, 2024 and he had one season left on his three-year deal.

The five-foot-10 striker from Pirarajá, Uruguay, made 22 appearances for Montreal in 2024, registering four goals and one assist.

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Monday, Dec. 22, 2025

CF Montreal's Matias Coccaro (9) takes a penalty kick against Atletico de San Luis during first half Leagues Cup soccer action in Montreal, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Former Cavalry FC captain Marco Carducci moves east, signs with Halifax Wanderers

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Former Cavalry FC captain Marco Carducci moves east, signs with Halifax Wanderers

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Monday, Dec. 22, 2025

After seven successful seasons with his hometown club Cavalry FC, Marco Carducci wanted a new challenge.

The 29-year-old goalkeeper believes he has found it in Halifax, joining new Wanderers coach Vanni Sartini on the East Coast.

"I looked outside the (Canadian Premier) league, I looked across to Europe and was curious about what kind of opportunities were out there," Carducci explained. "But Halifax approached me quite early. They were extremely clear about the ambition that the club had to go to a new level. Of course, that was highlighted by bringing in a coach like Vanni.

"And I think there was a clear alignment, in terms of the values and the culture at the club, which was important for me."

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Monday, Dec. 22, 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

Canadian men close out the year unchanged at No. 27 in FIFA world rankings

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Canadian men close out the year unchanged at No. 27 in FIFA world rankings

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Monday, Dec. 22, 2025

The Canadian men will finish the year unchanged at No. 27 in the FIFA world rankings.

While it is not Canada's highest-ever ranking — Jesse Marsch's team reached No. 26 in September, falling two places in October then climbing one rung in November — it marks the highest-ever year-end position for the men.

The Canadians, idle in the latest ranking period, finished 2024 at No. 31, 2023 at No. 48, 2022 at No. 53, 2021 at No. 40 and 2020 at No. 72.

Canada will face No. 17 Switzerland (unchanged) and No. 54 Qatar (down three places) in Group B play at next year's World Cup. Canada's group will be completed by the winner of a European playoff featuring No. 12 Italy, No. 32 Wales, No. 69 Northern Ireland and No. 71 Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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Monday, Dec. 22, 2025

Canada forward Cyle Larin (17) celebrates his goal against Honduras with teammates during first half CONCACAF Nations League soccer action in Toronto on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. World Cup winner Argentina topped the latest FIFA rankings for the first time in six years while the Canadian men, boosted by CONCACAF Nations League wins over Curaçao and Honduras, climbed six places to No. 47. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette .

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Canadian Premier League expansion side FC Supra adds three more players

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Canadian Premier League expansion side FC Supra adds three more players

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

MONTREAL - Expansion FC Supra doubled its roster with the announcement of three new players Friday.

The Canadian Premier League side has added midfielders Charles Auguste and Oussama Boughanmi as well as goalkeeper Joakim Milli.

They join David Choinière, Sean Rea and Loïc Kwemi, the Montreal team's first three signings.

Boughanmi, Auguste and Mill have all played for CS Saint-Laurent, a Ligue1 Quebec club that has extensive ties with the Supra leadership.

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Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

This undated photo shows midfielder Charles Auguste, who has signed with expansion FC Supra of the Canadian Premier League. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - FC Supra (Mandatory Credit)

Ottawa captain Nathan Ingham announces plans to leave club when contract expires

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Ottawa captain Nathan Ingham announces plans to leave club when contract expires

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

OTTAWA - Goalkeeper Nate Ingham, who captained Atletico Ottawa to a North Star Cup win last month, is leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the year.

The 32-year-old captain has spent the last four seasons with Ottawa, which topped the regular-season standings in 2022 and won the league title this year.

While Ingham plans to continue playing soccer, the decision to leave Ottawa is apparently due to personal and business reasons.

A native of Keswick, Ont., Ingham studied hospitality resort management, with a food and beverage minor, at Florida Gulf Coast University. He is a certified sommelier, having taken classes through Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and was involved with the Ottawa restaurant scene.

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Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

Atletico Ottawa's Nathan Ingham (29) carries a snow shovel following a break in play as officials work to clean soccer pitch lines during first half Canadian Premier League finals soccer action in Ottawa, on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Vanessa Gilles, Jonathan David repeat as Canada Soccer Players of the Year

The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Vanessa Gilles, Jonathan David repeat as Canada Soccer Players of the Year

The Canadian Press 5 minute read Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

Vanessa Gilles and Jonathan David have been named Canada Soccer Players of the Year for the second year in a row.

Gilles, a centre back who plays her club football for Germany's Bayern Munich, beat out San Diego Wave forward Adriana Leon and Manchester United defender Jayde Riviere.

David, a forward who plays for Juventus in Italy, won over Vancouver Whitecaps winger Ali Ahmed and Villarreal winger Tajon Buchanan.

Gilles and David are recognized as co-winners of the award, which was decided in a vote of the media and Canada Soccer coaches.

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Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

Canada's Jonathan David presses Ecuador's Piero Martin Hincapie during International friendly soccer action in Toronto on Thursday November 13, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Canadian ‘keeper Dayne St. Clair says goodbye to Minnesota, reportedly joining Miami

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Canadian ‘keeper Dayne St. Clair says goodbye to Minnesota, reportedly joining Miami

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025

Canadian Dayne St. Clair, the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, has said farewell to Minnesota United with MLS champion Inter Miami his reported destination.

St. Clair is out of contract with Minnesota, which announced in late November that it was in contract negotiations with the 28-year-old from Pickering, Ont.

It appears those talks are over with St. Clair taking to social media this week to bid farewell to Minnesota.

"Representing this community on and off the field has been a true joy and although we never lifted a trophy together, I hope I made you proud," he wrote.

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Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025

Minnesota United goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair celebrates after making a save against the Seattle Sounders during a penalty shootout of Game 3 in the first round of MLS soccer's Western Conference playoffs in St. Paul, Minn., Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

Toronto FC happy to land Pittsburgh defender Jackson Gilman in MLS SuperDraft

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Toronto FC happy to land Pittsburgh defender Jackson Gilman in MLS SuperDraft

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

TORONTO - Toronto FC had just one pick in Thursday's MLS SuperDraft but left happy after taking Pitt defender Jackson Gilman in the second round.

Gilman played 75 games over his four seasons at Pittsburgh, starting 74, with two goals and seven assists. The five-foot-11, 174-pound senior from Schwenksville, Pa., captained the Panthers for three seasons.

"There's a lot to like, to be honest," said Toronto technical director Sean Rubio. "A four-year starter at a top program. Played as a freshman on a team that went to the (NCAA) College Cup final four as a starter. To be a captain, starting in your sophomore season, for that big of a school, there's something to be said about that.

"The soccer IQ for me is off the charts," he added. "Just a really smart footballer, makes really good decisions. He's played everywhere across the backline. I think he could even potentially play in midfield, although he has not done that any time recently."

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Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

A general view of BMO Field as the game presentation is displayed before Toronto FC play Nashville SC in MLS soccer action in Toronto, Wednesday, June 19, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Blinch

Canadian defender Nikola Markovic taken first overall in MLS SuperDraft

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025

A roller-coaster week ended on a high note for Canadian defender Nikola Markovic on Thursday when he went first overall in the MLS SuperDraft to D.C. United.

The imposing North Carolina State centre back endured a 3-2 loss in extra time to the University of Washington in Monday's College Cup championship game in Cary, N.C., on Monday. But D.C. United's draft decision wiped that emotion away.

"Man, I still have trouble explaining (it)," Markovic said with a laugh. "The word that keeps coming back to my mind is unreal — the emotions I've felt the past week."

The 21-year-old sophomore from Gatineau, Que., joins Cyle Larin as the only Canadians to go No. 1 in the MLS draft. Larin went first overall in 2015, going on to become MLS Rookie of the Year with Orlando City before taking his talents to Europe.

Whitecaps re-sign all-star goalkeeper Takaoka, trade Nelson to Austin FC, draft four

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Whitecaps re-sign all-star goalkeeper Takaoka, trade Nelson to Austin FC, draft four

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025

The Vancouver Whitecaps were busy Thursday, re-signing goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka, trading Canadian winger Jayden Nelson to Austin FC and taking four players in the MLS SuperDraft.

Takaoka finished third in MLS Goalkeeper of the Year balloting after a stellar season in which he recorded a club-record 16 shutouts across all competitions in a team-leading 46 starts.

The 29-year-old from Japan, who joined Vancouver in 2013, led Major League Soccer with 13 clean sheets during the regular season, tying the club record set by David Ousted in 2015.

"It was important to sign Yoehi and have the goalkeeper position locked in," Axel Shuster, Vancouver's chief executive officer and sporting director, told a virtual availability from Europe.

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Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025

Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka (1) returns the ball during the first half of the MLS Cup final soccer match against the Inter Miami Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Canada Soccer reveals three men’s and women’s finalists for Player of the Year

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Canada Soccer reveals three men’s and women’s finalists for Player of the Year

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025

Canada Soccer has announced its shortlist for its 2025 Players of the Year Award, leaving three men and three women in contention from the original list of eight nominees.

The three women's finalists are Bayern Munich's Vanessa Gilles, last year's winner, San Diego's Adriana Leon and Manchester United's Jayde Riviere. The men's finalists are Vancouver's Ali Ahmed, Villarreal's Tajon Buchanan and Juventus' Jonathan David.

Promise David, Richie Laryea, Tani Oluwaseyi, Niko Sigur and Dayne St. Clair were among the nominees, as were Marie-Yasmine Alidou, Emma Regan, Janine Sonis, Holly Ward and Shelina Zadorsky on the women's side.

The two winners are recognized as co-winners of the award.

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Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025

Arsenal's Stina Blackstenius, background, fights for the ball with Lyon's Vanessa Gilles during the women's Champions League semifinals, second leg, soccer match between Olympique Lyonnais and Arsenal at OL Stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Canadian striker Marcus Caldeira wonders what’s next as time at West Virginia ends

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Canadian striker Marcus Caldeira wonders what’s next as time at West Virginia ends

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025

As more than 430 athletes awaited the outcome of Thursday's MLS SuperDraft, Canadian striker Marcus Caldeira faced a different deadline.

After being taken in the first round (20th overall) by Minnesota United in the 2024 draft (held Dec. 19, 2023), the 21-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., returned to West Virginia University where he continued to add goals to his resume.

Minnesota's two-year window on Caldeira expires Dec. 31. After that, any MLS club can then place him on its Discovery List, giving it first dibs on signing him at a future date unless another club makes a trade to get him.

Caldeira was not willing to forgo his college eligibility with Minnesota unless offered a contract. He did train with the team briefly the year he was drafted but paid his own way.

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Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025

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