All eyes were on Ottawa on Tuesday, as the Canadian soccer community turned to the nation’s capital to see the Canadian Premier League unveil its eighth club, now officially named Atlético Ottawa.
The new team, owned by Spanish giants Club Atlético de Madrid, sent waves across the football world both at home and abroad, as fans of the beautiful game took notice of this watershed moment in the sport’s history in Canada.
Along with the team’s name, Atlético Ottawa’s new crest and colours were also revealed at Tuesday’s event, in front of fans and media at TD Place Stadium. Also unveiled was the club’s first head coach and GM, former Spanish striker Mista.
From pundits, to players, to fans, and everywhere in between, plenty of onlookers took to social media to express their congratulations for the CPL’s newcomers. Here are all the best Twitter reactions to Tuesday’s news.
RELATED READING: CPL officially unveils Atlético Ottawa, as pro soccer returns to the nation’s capital || Mista revealed as Atlético Ottawa’s first head coach
Anticipation began to build early:
Pleased to proclaim ‘Atletico Ottawa Day’ ahead of a big announcement at noon! @CPLsoccer @atletienglish @TD_Place pic.twitter.com/9njGEv1Djf
— Jim Watson (@JimWatsonOttawa) February 11, 2020
Suddenly, a new challenger has entered the fray:
Classical and ambitious meets historic and progressive. This is Atlético Ottawa // Le classique et l’ambitieux rencontrent l’historique et le progressif. C’est ça, l’Atlético Ottawa #Ottawa2CPL l #CanPL l @Atleti pic.twitter.com/Pbm2ANjueX
— Atlético Ottawa (@Atleti_Ottawa) February 11, 2020
?⚪? Welcome to the Atlético family, @Atleti_Ottawa! ??#Ottawa2CPL #AtléticoOttawa https://t.co/SYSKvIATnC
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) February 11, 2020
Welcome, Ottawa.
Now it’s showtime. https://t.co/7LXI2Iv24i pic.twitter.com/gyXS4v2yXM
— York9 FC (@York9FC) February 11, 2020
Atlético Ottawa have been welcomed with open arms.
Congratulations @CPLsoccer on the addition of an eighth club. https://t.co/IEwFpBu3EC
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) February 11, 2020
See you soon, Atlético Ottawa. https://t.co/2W56xEJ5eG
— Forge FC (@ForgeFCHamilton) February 11, 2020
Fantastic to see you in the @CPLsoccer Ottawa!
Great Can Champ games against Fury last season. ?
Looking forward to an even bigger rivalry with @Atleti_Ottawa #COYW #CanPL #Ottawa2CPL @Atleti pic.twitter.com/WDekWXP82Z
— HFX Wanderers FC (@HFXWanderersFC) February 11, 2020
Humility, solidarity, and passion. Atlético Ottawa values from day one.
— Stony Monday Riot (@StonyMondayRiot) February 11, 2020
Fans were thrilled with the new crest, and excited to have a familiar face as coach:
This. Is. So. Cool. #Ottawa2CPL #CanPL @atletienglish https://t.co/8bl0Yk4xvC
— Mitchell Goldie (@mitchgoldie) February 11, 2020
Mista confirmed! #CanPL pic.twitter.com/bh9Q2J18P7
— Marty Thompson (@martythompson_) February 11, 2020
Had to https://t.co/EcqoeNojJ1 pic.twitter.com/mk89O3zfIO
— ђคץɭєץ (@haylolz) February 11, 2020
I love it! #Ottléti #AtléticoOttawa #AtléticoDay #CanPL #Ottawa2CPL https://t.co/KjEpolRIKI
— Premier Podcast (@CPLPodcast) February 11, 2020