Latest news with #CanadianSoccer
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why Canadian Fans Are Tuning into Roma's New Era
Something special is brewing in the world of Canadian soccer fandom. Beyond the familiar chants of Premier League stadiums, a passionate new pulse is beating for the gold and deep red of AS Roma. For a growing legion of Canadian supporters, the allure of Serie A is no longer a niche interest but a primary destination. They are drawn to the Eternal City by a club in the midst of a genuine renaissance; a team rediscovering its identity and playing a brand of football that is simply impossible to ignore. This deepening connection comes at a time when following the global game has never been more dynamic. The modern fan experience is a rich tapestry of live streams, podcasts, and digital communities that bridge continents. For some, this also includes the world of sports betting, where offers like a bet99 promo code often serve as a first step. These kinds of offers are a common feature of the current sports environment, designed to introduce fans to platforms that offer another way to connect with the drama of European football. Advertisement The Gasperini Revolution The soul of Roma's new era has a name: Gian Piero Gasperini. When the former Atalanta boss took the manager's job, it felt less like an appointment and more like a fresh start. With Gasperini comes a new chapter in terms of football: aggressive, technical, and full of heart. For Canadian fans who appreciate fluid, attacking play, watching Gasperini's Roma will be a breath of fresh air. This is more than just a tactical shift; it is a spiritual revival. Gasperini embodies the passion and work ethic that the club's supporters cherish and demand from their heroes. This powerful narrative of a stranger walking into the Eternal City to restore glory gives the club a magnetic appeal that transcends borders. Stars with Something to Prove Every great story needs compelling characters, and Roma has them in abundance. The creative genius of Paulo Dybala, a player whose every touch can produce a moment of magic, remains a central pillar. But under Gasperini, a new collective energy has emerged. The team is now built on players with a point to prove, a hunger that is palpable in every match. Roma's front office has smartly started to target alent that fits this new philosophy of intensity and technical skill. Advertisement This approach to team-building resonates deeply. It is a move away from signing high-priced egos and toward cultivating a unit that fights for one another. Canadian fans, familiar with underdog stories and teams built on grit, can see a reflection of their own sporting values in this new Roma. Key reasons for the growing Canadian interest: The inspiring leadership of Gian Piero Gasperini A thrilling, attack-minded style of play that will be captivating to watch. The magic of world-class stars like Paulo Dybala mixed with hungry, emerging talent. Unprecedented access to every Serie A match for Canadian viewers. A League of Stories Opens Its Doors For years, Serie A felt like a distant, almost mythical league for many in Canada. That has changed completely. Thanks to dedicated streaming services, the barriers have fallen. A fan in Calgary or Halifax can now witness every Roma goal and every tactical masterclass in high definition. This newfound access has opened the door to one of the world's most historic and strategically rich football cultures. Advertisement This is the perfect moment for discovery. As the Canadian soccer palate becomes more sophisticated, fans are looking for more than just the weekly hype of one league. They are seeking out the deep-rooted rivalries, the tactical chess matches, and the passionate stories that define Italian football. In AS Roma, they have found the perfect guide—a club with a glorious past and an exhilarating future that is just getting started.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Canada striker Jonathan David arrives in Italy for expected transfer to Juventus
Canada's Jonathan David applauds during the second half against Ukraine in the Canadian Shield soccer tournament in Toronto, Saturday, June 7, 2025.(Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP) Canada's Jonathan David gestures to the referee during the first half against Ukraine in the Canadian Shield soccer tournament in Toronto, Saturday, June 7, 2025.(Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP) Canada's Jonathan David gestures to the referee during the first half against Ukraine in the Canadian Shield soccer tournament in Toronto, Saturday, June 7, 2025.(Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP) Canada's Jonathan David applauds during the second half against Ukraine in the Canadian Shield soccer tournament in Toronto, Saturday, June 7, 2025.(Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP) Canada's Jonathan David gestures to the referee during the first half against Ukraine in the Canadian Shield soccer tournament in Toronto, Saturday, June 7, 2025.(Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP) MILAN (AP) — Canada forward Jonathan David arrived in Italy on Friday for medical tests ahead of an expected transfer to Juventus. With his five-year contract at Lille having expired, David can join the record 36-time Italian champion on a free transfer. Advertisement He will sign a five-year deal worth 6 million euros ($7 million) per season, with up to 2 million euros ($2.4 million) in bonuses, the Gazzetta dello Sport reported. It's the first big market move by Juventus' new general manager Damien Comolli, who confirmed last month that Igor Tudor will stay on as coach. Juventus needs firepower up front with Dusan Vlahovic having fallen out of favor and likely to leave the club. The 25-year-old David scored 25 goals and provided 12 assists in 49 matches across all competitions for Lille last season. David is also Canada's all-time leading scorer with 36 goals in 67 appearances. ___ AP soccer:

CBC
30-06-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Teenage forward Annabelle Chukwu already turning heads with Canada, Notre Dame
Just 18, Annabelle Chukwu is already turning heads The young forward has a Canadian record 39 goals in 42 international youth-level appearances, surpassing the previous Canadian youth record of 27 goals (set by former Canada captain Christine Sinclair) in September at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia. Sinclair scored her 27 goals in 19 youth international matches from the U-19 to U-21 levels from 2001 to 2002. On Friday, Chukwu made her senior debut off the bench in the 64th minute of Canada's 4-1 win over Costa Rica at Toronto's BMO Field and quickly made her presence felt. In the 74th minute, she rose above a Costa Rican defender at the far post to head a Jade Rose cross into the path of Vancouver Rise forward Holly Ward, who roofed a right-footed shot for a 2-1 lead. After scoring four late goals to dispatch No. 43 Costa Rica, the eighth-ranked Canadian women have a far stiffer challenge Wednesday when they take on the top-ranked U.S. in Washington, D.C. Canada coach Casey Stoney calls Chukwu "incredibly technically gifted" and a striker who is "unplayable at times." "Talent like that is quite rare," she added. The current call-up is her third from the senior side. "Every single time, I never know what to expect but I'm just grateful for the opportunity and grateful to learn, develop and grow. Be surrounded by players that I look up to," said the soft-spoken Chukwu. Stoney likes what she sees. "Annabelle's been great. She's a very exciting young player," said the former England captain. "She's definitely like a rare talent and I think has just got a real special quality. If you're a fan, you'd pay to come and watch her play." Canada defender Jade Rose, a Harvard grad who just signed with England's Manchester City, says Chukwu is a handful. "She is an incredibly skilful player," said Rose. "She is one of those players that surprisingly speeds up when they have the ball at their feet. She can hit some crazy stepovers. "She is honestly an up-and-coming talent and I'm so grateful to have her in this environment. Not only to challenge me but I'm happy that she's on our team and not anyone else's." Chukwu, whose twin sister Isabelle has also represented Canada at the under-15 and under-17 level, has been a force at youth level. Led U20 team to Concacaf title On June 6, she led Canada to the Concacaf Women's Under-20 Championship in Costa Rica, scoring the winning goal in the 122nd minute in a 3-2 win over Mexico after extra time. Chukwu beat two defenders at the byline and then, from an almost impossible angle, roofed the winner as the clock counted down in stoppage time. It was the fifth goal of the tournament for Chukwu, who plays collegiate soccer at Notre Dame. Chukwu, who turned 18 in February, is quick to deflect praise on the U-20 triumph. "Credit to the team. I think we stuck together throughout the whole tournament. We learned, we grew from Game 1 to the end. It was a team effort," she said." Chukwu was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference third team and ACC All-Freshman team in 2024 with Notre Dame despite missing six games due to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia. She scored three goals and added two assists in 16 appearances for the Irish, including 12 starts. "I love the school. I love the coaches, the team, the playing style," she said. "I think I've really been able to grow as a player and develop my game there. I'm excited for Year 2 Born in England, Chukwu was nine when her family moved to Ottawa for work. Both parents are of Nigerian origin, although her mother was born in England. As such, she also has British and Nigerian citizenship. She talked briefly with English soccer officials but says playing for Canada "just felt right," given that's where she started playing the game at age 10. Eight years on, she is trying to stay in the moment when it comes to soccer.


CTV News
20-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Canada coach Jesse Marsch downplays latest CONCACAF disciplinary proceeding
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch reacts during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League semifinal soccer match against Mexico, Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) HOUSTON — Canada coach Jesse Marsch is downplaying a CONCACAF investigation into his actions during the Canadian men's opening game at the Gold Cup. Marsch told a news conference in Houston, in advance of Canada's game against Curaçao on Saturday, that the issue was of more interest to the media than the team. Noting that the disciplinary process was ongoing, he asked that questions focus on football. Saturday's contest marks the end of Marsch's two-game ban arising from a red card during the CONCACAF Nations league third-place game in March. But the coach remains in the spotlight, facing more disciplinary action initiated by CONCACAF after Canada's 6-0 win over Honduras on Tuesday in Vancouver. CONCACAF said its Disciplinary Committee is reviewing whether Canada and Marsch did not follow regulations involving suspended officials and whether offensive language was used toward CONCACAF match officials. The CONCACAF investigation reportedly focuses on where Marsch watched the game and language used when he was asked to move. TV showed Marsch in a B.C. Place Stadium suite, taking notes and watching, with a laptop in front of him, alongside other Canadian team officials. Assistant coach Mauro Biello ran the sideline in his absence. --- This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025 The Canadian Press


National Post
17-06-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Canada shouldn't be favourite heading into Gold Cup, captain says
VANCOUVER — One of Canada's brightest soccer stars doesn't believe the country should be the favourite heading into the Gold Cup. Article content Canada is a solid squad, striker Jonathan David said, but it has only won the tournament once — and that was 25 years ago. Article content Article content 'I think to be favourites in a tournament, you have to be the one that maybe has won it the most times,' David told reporters on Monday. Article content 'Of course, I know we have a strong team and we can challenge, for sure, to win it. To be favourites isn't something I would say, personally. But I know we can achieve it.' Article content The 30th-ranked Canadians will kick off their Gold Cup quest Tuesday when they host No. 75 Honduras at Vancouver's B.C. Place. Article content The two sides last met during CONCACAF Nations League play in March, where Canada recorded a 4-1 victory. Article content That doesn't mean much, though, said Canada head coach Jesse Marsch. Article content 'We have to make sure that in no way we take anything for granted or assume we are better than anyone. We have to fight for everything on the pitch,' Marsch said. Article content 'That has to be the first thing in our mentality for what this is going to take. And to earn the right to play the football that we think we can play, we have to be up for the challenge, up for the fight, and make sure that we are first when it comes to duels, when it comes to foot races, when it comes to physically being in the match.' Article content Following Tuesday's game, the Canadians will shift to Houston to face No. 90 Curacao on June 21 before wrapping Group B play against No. 81 El Salvador on June 24. Article content Article content Canada is coming off a trophy-winning performance at the inaugural Canadian Shield last week, and is confident heading into the Gold Cup. Article content 'I think we're the best team in the tournament,' said veteran forward Cyle Larin. 'Each game, we have to take it step by step. You never know in football what could happen. The first game against Honduras will be a good test to go out there and win.' Article content The Canadian Shield ended with Canada falling to Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout after neither side scored in regulation.