-Hammer-

Such an amazing and inspiring performance last night. I've been watching the odd CPL game from afar trying to figure out a team I could follow and cheer for. Always watched Forge's big matches, especially in international competition, but didn't feel that close to the team personally.
vs Montreal and then especially this game was the first time I really felt like a "real fan". I think I'll be watching more closely from now on! 

Congrats to everyone a Forge. Well earned and great ambassadors of the league.

They let Paul Beirne go at the end of the first season, but the silence from David Clanachan has definitely been strange. Maybe they prefer to avoid doing anything that might be used to push the players union?
A lot of people were way too sky high about domestic pro soccer's popularity level and future prospects in recent times and lost sight of there also having been other upswings in interest in the past that soon fizzled out. One of my cousins used to play for London City in front of 5000+ sometimes against teams in the GTA in the NSL back in the 1970s but that's a completely forgotten footnote now.
In this age of the internet most of the soccer community in the larger cities can now easily get their soccer fix from overseas leagues that they have loyalties to for ancestral reasons so it's easy for them to tune out the local stuff when it isn't viewed as up to snuff in a way that doesn't happen with something like hockey. Getting people in the GTA to take York United seriously is very challenging in marketing terms given that backdrop when there's nothing like the Beckham signing in the run up to TFC's launch to provide it with credibility.
If you throw an MLS team into the mix more people will tend to tune in as happened with this game in Hamilton because that's perceived to be closer in quality to the overseas stuff. What's interesting about Halifax is that it's the one market where that dynamic isn't as applicable for demographic reasons, which is probably why 6000+ happens more consistently.

Yep we had 6413 vs MTL which was the previous record. Stands were jammed today for sure and the standing room area was about 3 or 4 rows deep.

That's not so great, then again with Covid still a thing, the CanPL has an especially long road right now.

Any idea how Ottawa drew for their weekday game vs York? Curious if they are in the 4,000 or so region.

I'll say this, and I'm sure even Valour fans will agree with me on this one, but that ref must be nearly ready to start reffing CONCACAF games, because the officiating in that game was awful.

Tons of slow calls, inconsistent calls, the complete lack of bookings through a very chippy game, the handball goal, crashing the net on Henry, the push on on Welshman in the box near the end, the last challenge non-call at the end, 

Well a slumping TFC got about 30% of their usual gate, that ought to give us a little perspective when looking at CPL numbers.  

Deserves win by Forge, despite the questions around their 2nd goal.  They were the better team tonight for sure.
I am pretty conflicted about the next two games on this side of the table.  I definitely like Montreal for the CanCon they are fielding (and winning with) in MLS, but it would be massive for Wanderers to beat them next week and the crowd would be hysterical.  Having said that, a Forge vs Montreal semi would also be pretty exciting since Forge generally has to be considered the consistently strongest CPL team over the last few years.  And with the way TFC are playing, it isn’t inconceivable that we could have an all-CPL final.  

That was a nice evening down at the stadium, it was a good match which opened up nicely, Henry gave Valour a life line with another completely idiotic balls up, I don't care how good of a shot stopper you are these unforced errors can kill a team hence the nervy end! Forge get 6 days off now before the Concacaf match which I'm really looking forward to, hopefully some players return to fitness and Welshman integrates quickly with the team again!

OMG right?!? 

I just want every time for the players to target these people and smash their prawn sandwiches and smug faces with a solid strike of the ball. Going to hit it in to touch? Make sure it knocks Johnny DeeBag off his little stool.

Great Match 
Props to the Battalion in full voice too
#Wednesday’sintheHammer 

I havent lived in Peterborough in ten years, do you still live there? I cant envision soccer being such a huge success that they get a CPL team one day. The 400,000 number is way off too, no one is coming from the Oshawa area to Peterborough for soccer when they could go to a TFC or York game in less time. 

Looked like a full house for Pacific vs Whitecaps so no COVID hesitancy in that context. Hopefully the result will give Pacific's attendance in league games a significant boost.

Well no better time than now TFC is in shambles, even if they get by York , I can see a Forge or Cavalry beating them , TFC right now is ripe for the taking.

That's not so great, then again with Covid still a thing, the CanPL has an especially long road right now.

TONS of information to share about this article from this magazine. Since everything is in French, I'll gladly summarize the the main points.
 
Source 
Jean Gandubert, Former President and Director-President of Quebec Soccer Federation and former Adviser to the Federal Sport Ministry. He is now the Strategic Advisor to the investors being the liaison between them and the Regional Association, CSA and CONCACAF Pierre Marchand, Soccer Quebec President  
Who are the Investors
Confidential but they have VERY deep pockets and capable of covering the losses of others due to the pandemic (not sure what he means by that, but take away is RICH!)
The ownership seems to be a mix of individuals and companies They have been talking with the league since summer 2019 but talks have slowed down due to the pandemic Talks have already happened between the investors and Quebec City mayor  
Stadium:
The goal is the construction of a new soccer specific stadium smaller than Laval University stadium which has been deemed too big and would look empty with a bad atmosphere which is vital for Quebec City to work There's been no information given to city departments for building a stadium yet.  
CPL Women's League
CPL are interested in a Women's League but the focus is to develop/grow the current league at the moment. Eva Havaris, Vice-President of the league operations and strategic VP at CSB (according to LinkedIn) is said to be aiming for that league to become a reality  
Future of the PLSQ?
CPL wants to acquire PLSQ like it did League 1 Ontario  
Provincial Leagues or Regional Leagues?
Provincial leagues had seemed to be the destination for CPL reserve teams but the NEW goal is to have 3 minor leagues in Canada (East, West & Central) just like the CHL and like the CSA wanted in their previous strategic plan PLSQ's structure will be completely revamped to integrate this model Plans are already underway to lead towards a merge PLSQ-L10 league for as soon as 2021 (COVID slowed down the talks) The format and league structure to be determined. There should be a "co-commissioner" for Quebec to reflect the French contribution Soccer Quebec President would not be involved in the league but would like to make sure that teams have Quebec players and teams are mostly under 23. Discussions have already taken place and it seems everyone agrees with these conditions. Moving towards the model of a developmental league is vital to attract young promising players pointing out that Montreal Impact never loaned anyone to PLSQ due to the league being too low in quality and structure The goal would be to add Atlantic Canada teams to this "Eastern League" but Quebec-Ontario is the priority Clubs will have to fit this structure financially and have the proper infrastructure using the word "professional" (This might mean that not all L10 or PLSQ teams might make this league at launch) Confirmation that BC are working towards a league  
Foreign investors?
Other Quebec markets including Montreal are being explored, no investors have been revealed Altetico Madrid's arrival has changed the landscape. There will be attempts to try and leverage interest from French clubs in investing in CPL via the FFF CPL is currently trying to get European investments into the league, not necessarily for Quebec but he mentioned Toronto as a possibility  
You guys are welcome! 🙂
 
Tips accepted 🤑

you saw my reddit post 😉

That is a nice addition!
https://forgefc.canpl.ca/article/forge-fc-signs-canadian-defender-jakovic

No sign of it on CHCH either.

Doesn't look like CBC will have games this year.
They do have a CEBL game this Saturday at 4pm ET.

I know many disagree, but I'm grateful OneSoccer provides such comprehensive coverage of the sport in Canada. I don't remember ever having this previously, and I have to think that if everyone would buy in it would become the norm

Hamilton could be an option for November.  Similar sized stadium to Ottawa and Winnipeg and better weather (plus close to Toronto).  They host the Grey Cup in December so I wonder if they would have the extra seats in by then which could make for quite the atmosphere (or the venue may not be available for this reason).

Forge doesn't make a lot of mistakes like that.  Good on HFX for making them pay for it.