Welcome to CPL Headlines; each Monday during the off-season, CanPL.ca will round up the league’s biggest stories from the past week to keep fans up to date on all the news they may have missed during the league’s busy transfer period.
It’s CPL-U SPORTS Draft week in the Canadian Premier League, and on Thursday all eyes will turn to the 16 players who will be selected in this year’s edition.
As always, however, there is plenty of other news around the league as alumni continue to impress abroad, York United officially unveiled their new ownership group and more.
Here are the biggest stories from this past week in the Canadian Premier League:
Former Cavalry FC player Mo Farsi wins 2023 MLS Cup
On Saturday, the Columbus Crew defeated LAFC 2-1 in the 2023 MLS Cup Final at Lower.com Field in Columbus. Among the victorious players was former Cavalry FC fullback Mo Farsi, who started and played 86 minutes for the Crew.
The 23-year-old from Montréal was given his professional debut by Cavalry FC in the Canadian Premier League at the 2020 Island Games. Farsi was awarded Best Canadian U-21 Player for that campaign.
He left Cavalry after the 2021 season to join Columbus Crew 2, before signing for the Crew first team in July 2022. This season he became a key player for the MLS club, playing 31 matches and recording five assists.
Farsi is one of several Canadian Premier League players who have since gone on to find success at the MLS level, including Lukas MacNaughton (Nashville SC), Joel Waterman (CF Montréal) and Jonathan Sirois (CF Montréal).
203 players declare for the 2024 CPL-U SPORTS Draft
This past week the Canadian Premier League revealed the full list of players who have declared for the 2024 CPL-U SPORTS Draft. The annual draft, presented by Degree, allows CPL clubs to select collegiate players from U SPORTS who can maintain their eligibility while playing at the professional level.
The list includes multiple names that will be familiar to fans of the Canadian Premier League, including former Valour FC players Tyler Attardo (now with York University) and Raphaël Garcia (Carleton) as well as former Wanderer Colin Gander (TMU).
It is worth remembering as well ahead of the draft that seven players had their U SPORTS rights retained by the clubs who picked them last year: Sterling Kerr (Cavalry FC), Aiden Rushenas (Halifax Wanderers FC), Eric Lajeunesse (Pacific FC), Guillaume Pianelli and Jordan Tisseur (both Valour FC), Ameer Kinani (Vancouver FC) and Trivine Esprit (York United FC).
The draft will take place on Thursday, Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT, with full broadcast information coming soon. Valour FC hold the first overall pick.
York United’s new ownership group hosts first press conference
This past Thursday, York United fans formally heard from their new owners, Game Plan Sports, for the first time during a press conference at York Lions Stadium.
The group, led by brothers Eduardo, Miguel and Ricardo Pasquel outlined their plans and ambitions for the team, speaking on everything from stadium plans, the roster build, how they will use their extensive connections in Mexico to help and their mission to prioritize the development of young Canadian players.
The full press conference, as well as key highlights, are available to watch and read by clicking here.
As for the York United squad for next year, Ricardo Pasquel said end-of-season announcements should be made as soon as this week. One player who does not look to be returning to the side for 2024 is Australian central defender Tass Mourdoukoutas, who appeared to confirm his departure from the team on social media.
Canadian national futsal team begins preparation for 2024 Concacaf Futsal Championship under Forge’s Kyt Selaidopoulos
The Canadian national futsal team is back in action as the team gathers in Montréal for a five-day training camp under head coach (and Forge FC assistant) Kyt Selaidopoulos.
Canada are currently preparing for the 2024 Concacaf Futsal Championship, which will take place in Nicaragua from April 13-20. The draw to determine Canada’s group will be held on Thursday.
The Concacaf Futsal Championship will serve as qualifiers for the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup. Canada has not qualified for that tournament since 1989, losing in penalty kicks in 2021 qualifiers in a Concacaf quarter-final match against Panama that would have meant qualification.
Selaidopoulos has been the head coach of the national futsal team since 2016, and previous to that represented the national futsal team between 2003 and 2012.
The squad for this camp also includes former Halifax Wanderers fullback Obeng Tabi and former Cavalry FC development player Niko Myroniuk.
Former Forge forward Emery Welshman announces retirement
For the second consecutive week, a player from Forge FC’s inaugural squad has announced their retirement. Forward Emery Welshman, 32, posted a thank you on social media to everyone who has helped him throughout his decade-long professional career.
A product of the Sigma academy, Welshman joined Forge on loan from FC Cincinnati for the club’s inaugural season in 2019. However, he was recalled from loan in August of that year and subsequently transferred to Hapoel Haifa in the Israeli Premier League.
Welshman rejoined Forge for the 2022 season, winning a championship with them. He also represented Guyana internationally 27 times, scoring 11 goals, including the goal against Belize that saw the Golden Jaguars qualify for the Concacaf Gold Cup for the first time in 2019.
Last week, defender Daniel Krutzen announced he was hanging up the boots following winning the USL Championship with Phoenix Rising.
Congratulations on a wonderful career, Emery!
We’re wishing you all the best 🧡#ForgeFC | #CanPL https://t.co/GNb0R7gjGD
— Forge FC (@ForgeFCHamilton) December 10, 2023