Soccer

Soccer

Around the NSL: Penultimate matchup playoff implications

Grace Anne Paizen 4 minute read 6:41 PM CDT

And we’re back!

Hopefully the bye week gave everyone a chance to collect their breath as Week 23 only amplified the drama in the standings.

Ottawa drew 0-0 on the road against Montreal, Calgary drew 0-0 on the road against Halifax and Toronto took a 2-1 victory at home over visiting Vancouver.

While there was minimal shuffling in the standings — mainly the Mighty Maroons leapfrogging the Rapid for second overall — here’s a look at the remaining games and their implications with two weeks left in the regular season.

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Soccer

NSL’s Vancouver Rise eliminate sporting director role, part ways with Stephanie Labbé

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

NSL’s Vancouver Rise eliminate sporting director role, part ways with Stephanie Labbé

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Updated: 5:17 PM CDT

VANCOUVER - Vancouver Rise FC has parted ways with sporting director Stephanie Labbé, the club announced Friday.

The former Canadian national team goalkeeper was the club's first employee and helped build the team that won the inaugural Northern Super League championship last year.

The Rise said they have eliminated the sporting director position as part of their planning for 2027.

"We are incredibly grateful to Steph for everything she has done to help build this club," interim president Aditi Bhatt said in a statement.

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Updated: 5:17 PM CDT

Opinion

Rock bottom best thing to happen to Les Girondins

Jerrad Peters 4 minute read Preview

Rock bottom best thing to happen to Les Girondins

Jerrad Peters 4 minute read 1:14 PM CDT

You know things are dire when hitting rock bottom is a relief. You might be at your lowest point, but you still exist. The ground hasn’t swallowed you up, and while you lay prostrate, humiliated, you eventually understand that the only way is up.

Girondins de Bordeaux is at rock bottom — and lucky to be there. It is still, just barely, a football club. But it exists. And given how close it came to oblivion, existence is good enough for now. Not that it doesn’t hurt.

The dizziness of the drop, and pain of the landing, is felt in relation to the height from which you fell. Bordeaux fell from the top of the mountain.

On May 30, 2009, Les Girondins won its 11th match in a row and was crowned Ligue 1 champions for the sixth time. A month earlier, it had lifted the Coupe de la Ligue — a competition in which it drubbed Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes in the semifinal.

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1:14 PM CDT

Soccer

At showdown FIFA meeting, Infantino apologizes for World Cup furor but leaves critics unhappy

Graham Dunbar, The Associated Press 6 minute read Yesterday at 1:48 PM CDT

ZURICH (AP) — Gianni Infantino apologized to FIFA's ruling council on Thursday for “mistakes” in his secretive investment plan for the World Cup but didn’t give details sought by his toughest critics who want to oust him as the president of soccer’s governing body.

Soccer officials came to the meeting in Zurich hoping to receive more information about two of the biggest controversies that have surrounded Infantino this year: his now-aborted $4.2 billion World Cup sell-off plan and the Folarin Balogun red-card case at the World Cup where President Donald Trump intervened.

Despite Infantino’s apology, European delegates said they left the meeting disappointed about what they saw as a lack of clarity about the two disputes.

“No satisfactory answers were provided,” said German soccer leader Bernd Neuendorf, one of eight delegates from European soccer confederation UEFA in the 37-member FIFA Council that Infantino chairs.

Soccer

St. Louis City ties ‘Caps 0-0, extends unbeaten streak in all competitions to MLS-record 20 games

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

St. Louis City ties ‘Caps 0-0, extends unbeaten streak in all competitions to MLS-record 20 games

The Associated Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Roman Bürki had his fourth shutout this season Wednesday night in a 0-0 tie with the Vancouver Whitecaps and St. Louis City extended its unbeaten streak in all competitions to an MLS-record 21 consecutive games. 

St. Louis (14-6-9), which broke the mark set by the New York Red Bulls in 2016, clinched a berth in the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs. The club is unbeaten in 19 straight regular-season games, tying the MLS record held by Columbus and Dallas. 

Vancouver (15-7-7) leads the Western Conference with 52 points, one ahead of St. Louis. 

Bürki finished with one save. 

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Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

Soccer

Pereira’s 90th-minute goal earns TFC a point in 3-3 draw against Orlando City SC

Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Pereira’s 90th-minute goal earns TFC a point in 3-3 draw against Orlando City SC

Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

TORONTO - Although Toronto FC scored late to pilfer a draw, the result felt like a loss to Canadian forward Theo Corbeanu.

The Burlington, Ont., native enjoyed his first career two-point match, with a goal and assist, and Matheus Pereira scored in the 90th minute in a 3-3 draw against Orlando City SC at BMO Field on Wednesday. It was Pereira’s first goal and kept Toronto’s slim post-season hopes alive.

“It’s a draw, it’s not a loss, but it really feels like a loss,” the 24-year-old Corbeanu said. “It’s very disappointing.

“But I think that if our belief remains as high as it’s been recently I think we can definitely do something and get this team into the playoffs, where it belongs.”

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Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

Soccer

‘Some have given up’: CF Montreal’s rough season continues in 3-0 loss to Atlanta

Elias Grigoriadis, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

‘Some have given up’: CF Montreal’s rough season continues in 3-0 loss to Atlanta

Elias Grigoriadis, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

MONTREAL - Behind the west goal of Stade Saputo is located the Collectif IMFC, an agglomeration of supporters’ groups that have never shied away from voicing their opinions on the current state of the club.

On Wednesday night, they held up a large sign reading, “HONTE À VOUS,” meaning "Shame on you," an apt assessment of CF Montreal’s season which took another hit with a 3-0 loss to Atlanta United.

“There’s a feeling, even internally, that some have given up. For professional athletes, giving up on a competition is unacceptable,” said Montreal head coach Philippe Eullafroy, who met with the angered Collectif IMFC after the game for a visibly heated exchange. 

“It was a very animated discussion, but not in the negative sense; it was very passionate. At my core, I’m an ultra, and I’m a fan of this club.”

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Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

Soccer

FIFA proposes $6.3 billion funding for soccer development, $25 million for each association

Mauricio Savarese, The Associated Press 2 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026

SAO PAULO (AP) — FIFA will propose to its members a $6.35 billion fund for soccer development between 2027 and 2030, including a boosted amount of $25 million for each national association, according to a document reviewed by The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Soccer’s world governing body said in a document that it will use the financial success of the latest World Cup “to enhance investment in football development across 211 FIFA member associations, confederations and other stakeholders.” Originally, each association was to receive $10 million for the four-year period.

The document, dated Oct. 14, says FIFA proposed to distribute more than $3.5 billion from its financial reserves “based on the unprecedented commercial” success of its 48-team World Cup.

The move comes as European soccer leaders seek a candidate to try to oust Gianni Infantino as FIFA president. Infantino’s divisive World Cup private investment plan — that was scrapped within days of being revealed in July — prompted UEFA to act.

Soccer

Best in the West title up for grabs as short-handed Whitecaps visit St. Louis City

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Best in the West title up for grabs as short-handed Whitecaps visit St. Louis City

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026

VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Whitecaps hope there are still many games left to be played this year.

Just six contests remain on the Major League Soccer team's regular-season schedule, but on Saturday the 'Caps became the first Western Conference club to clinch a playoff spot.

“It's a good box to check, but job's not done," forward Emmanuel Sabbi said after training on Tuesday. "We have to — hopefully, by God's grace — get No. 1 (in the conference) and clinch that, and then look to move on game after game. But it's one game at a time."

The next game comes Wednesday when the Whitecaps (15-7-6) visit scorching St. Louis City (14-6-8).

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Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026

Soccer

TFC signs homegrown midfielder Antone Bossenberry Romero to multi-year deal

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

TFC signs homegrown midfielder Antone Bossenberry Romero to multi-year deal

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026

TORONTO - Toronto FC signed midfielder Antone Bossenberry Romero to a first-team contract as a homegrown player Tuesday.

The contract runs through the 2028-29 Major League Soccer season and has club options for 2029-30 and 2030-31.

Romero, 18, becomes the 39th player in club history to sign for the first team from the TFC Academy.

The deal was completed before the Oct. 9 roster freeze.

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Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026

Local Sports

Bobcat men, women collect four points each

2 minute read Preview

Bobcat men, women collect four points each

2 minute read Monday, Oct. 12, 2026

T.J. Bodunrin netted a hat trick to power the Brandon University Bobcats to a 9-0 victory over the Assiniboine College Cougars at the Healthy Living Centre field on Saturday.

Zach Lamb and Victor Andrade had two second-half goals each, after Sky Garcia and Gourgy Akuei gave BU the lead in the opening frame.

Adebowale Oshitayo made four saves as AC fell to 0-8-0.

On Sunday, Matheus Souza earned a four-save clean sheet as the Bobcats (2-3-3) drew the St. Boniface Les Rouges 0-0.

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Monday, Oct. 12, 2026

Soccer

Canada drops 4-3 decision to Denmark in women’s soccer friendly in Toronto

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Canada drops 4-3 decision to Denmark in women’s soccer friendly in Toronto

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Monday, Oct. 12, 2026

TORONTO - Head coach Casey Stoney has preached the need for more clinical finishing from the Canadian women's soccer team.

Defensive lapses might be the more pressing area of concern.

Olivia Holdt scored twice and had an assist to lead Denmark to a 4-3 victory over Canada in an international friendly on Monday at BMO Field.

Pernille Harder and Janni Thomsen also tallied for the visitors, who took advantage of some sloppy defending to blitz the hosts with three goals in a nine-minute span in the opening half.

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Monday, Oct. 12, 2026

Soccer

Man City taunted by Liverpool fans in first match since guilty verdicts

James Robson, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Man City taunted by Liverpool fans in first match since guilty verdicts

James Robson, The Associated Press 3 minute read Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Manchester City's players were jeered and taunted by Liverpool fans in a hostile atmosphere at Anfield on Sunday. 

In City's first game since the club was found guilty of a raft of financial breaches, the team endured vitriol from Liverpool fans. 

Along with loud boos and chants of “cheat, cheat,” there were taunts of “going down,” in reference to potential punishments City could face.

An independent panel found City artificially inflated its revenue by more than $1 billion to help sign some of soccer’s biggest stars as it went on to dominate the Premier League. 

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Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026

Soccer

Stoney wants Canada to be ‘more clinical’ in second friendly against Denmark

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Stoney wants Canada to be ‘more clinical’ in second friendly against Denmark

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026

Head coach Casey Stoney wants Canada to finish more of its scoring chances when it faces Denmark in an international women’s soccer rematch Monday afternoon.

The ninth-ranked Canadians will host No. 12 Denmark at Toronto’s BMO Field. Olivia Smith’s late equalizer salvaged a 1-1 draw in the first of two friendlies between the teams Friday in Montreal.

“There was some good play, we created some good chances,” Stoney said following Friday’s match. “We do need to be more clinical. I feel like a broken record, I keep saying that, but we do.”

Canada controlled the run of play for most of the match, holding 69 per cent possession and a 21-9 edge in shot attempts (6-6 on target) as Denmark sat back looking to strike on the counterattack. The home side failed to break through until Smith ripped a left-footed strike in the 84th minute.

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Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026

Soccer

Larraz scores for 10-man Whitecaps in 1-1 tie with LAFC

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Larraz scores for 10-man Whitecaps in 1-1 tie with LAFC

The Associated Press 2 minute read Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Oliver Larraz scored a goal for the 10-man Vancouver Whitecaps in a 1-1 Major League Soccer tie with Los Angeles FC on Saturday night.

Tristan Blackmon was shown a straight red card in the seventh minute and Vancouver played a man down the rest of the way.

Denis Bouanga scored in the 46th minute for LAFC (11-9-9), which is winless, with two losses, in four straight.

Yohei Takaoka had three saves for Vancouver (15-7-6). The Whitecaps lead the Western Conference and are second in MLS with 51 points (Nashville, 63) this season.

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Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026

Soccer

Spain scores twice in the first 14 minutes to sink the USWNT 2-0 in a matchup of No. 1 vs. No. 2

Noah Trister, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Spain scores twice in the first 14 minutes to sink the USWNT 2-0 in a matchup of No. 1 vs. No. 2

Noah Trister, The Associated Press 3 minute read Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026

WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time in a while, the United States is not looking ahead to a Women's World Cup as defending champion.

This month, the Americans are getting a close-up look at who currently holds the crown.

Patri Guijarro and Eva Navarro scored in the first 14 minutes, and Adriana Nanclares stopped a second-half penalty kick to lift Spain to a 2-0 victory over the U.S. on Saturday in a clash between the world's two top-ranked teams. It was the first of two meetings between reigning World Cup champion Spain and the reigning Olympic champion U.S.

“They're world champions for a reason," U.S. coach Emma Hayes said. “You're not going to just roll them over. But you can't give them a head start either.”

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Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026

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