Pre-season is in full swing for all eight Canadian Premier League clubs, with Forge and Cavalry already having played competitive matches.
So far, York United, Valour, Halifax and Pacific are the only teams to have officially announced friendlies, while League1 Ontario’s Simcoe County Rovers have revealed a packed pre-season schedule, featuring several CPL opponents.
Below is the list of all confirmed matches involving Canadian Premier League clubs:
- March 1: Pacific (2-0) UVic Vikes (University of Victoria men’s soccer team)
- March 4: Pacific vs. Vic West FC (Vancouver Island Soccer League Division 1)
- March 5: York United (2-2) S.C.U. Torreense (Portuguese 2nd tier)
- March 5: Valour vs. Whitecaps FC 2 (MLS Next Pro)
- March 7: Atlético Ottawa vs. Simcoe County Rovers (League1 ON)
- March 7: Pacific FC vs. Victoria Highlanders (Vancouver Island Soccer League)
- March 8: Vancouver FC vs. Valour
- March 9: Valour vs. Altitude FC (League1 BC)
- March 14: York United vs. AS Laval (Ligue1 QC)
- March 15: HFX Wanderers vs. Ipswich Town (Youth team)
- March 15: Pacific FC vs. Altitude FC (League1 BC)
- March 19: HFX Wanderers vs. Norwich City (Youth team)
- March 19: Pacific FC vs. Nanaimo United FC (League1 BC)
- March 21: York United vs. Valour
- March 22: HFX Wanderers vs. Fulham FC (Youth team)
- March 22: Vancouver FC vs. Altitude FC (League1 BC)
- March 24: Valour vs. Simcoe County Rovers (League1 ON)
- March 25: Forge vs. Valour
- March 28: York United vs. Simcoe County Rovers (League1 ON)
- March (Date TBC): Forge vs. Simcoe County Rovers (League1 ON)
Pacific FC
Pacific defeated the University of Victoria’s men’s soccer team 2-0 at Centennial Stadium on March 1 thanks to goals from Marco Bustos and Mattias Vales. Friendlies will continue with a match against Vic West FC of the Vancouver Island Soccer League on March 4, followed by Victoria Highlanders three days later.
On March 15th, they'll host Altitude FC at Starlight Stadium, then will play Nanaimo United on the 19th.
The Tridents are also set to play an additional friendly against an unnamed Canadian Premier League side.
Pacific is aiming to recapture their 2021 glory, bolstering their squad with the returns of Marco Bustos and Kadin Chung, among others.
Vancouver FC
Vancouver FC will host Valour on March 8 in a friendly, then Altitude FC on March 22 at Willoughby.
The Eagles have had a busy off-season, selling Grady McDonnell to Club Brugge and offloading many key players, such as Ayman Sellouf, Rocco Romeo, Moses Dyer, Gabriel Bitar, and more.
They signed Terran Campbell and a pair of youngsters in Dominic Joseph and Emrick Fotsing.
Cavalry FC
After the heartbreaking defeat in Mexico to Pumas as part of the Champions Cup, it’s been quiet for the reigning Canadian Premier League champions.
The Cavs brought Elva Caniggia and signed Jay Herdman on a standard contract after a 6-month loan from the Vancouver Whitecaps.
So far, no friendlies announced for the Calgarians.
Valour FC
Valour’s pre-season begins at home before travelling to British Columbia, facing Whitecaps FC 2 of MLS Next Pro, Vancouver FC, and finally, Altitude FC of League1 BC in friendlies.
In the 3rd week of March, the Winnipeg side will fly to Ontario, where they’re slated to meet with York United, Simcoe County Rovers of League1 Ontario, and Forge.
Valour is enjoying a strong off-season so far, adding Kris Twardek, Rocco Romeo, Zachary Fernandez, Erik Pop, and others to their squad in Winnipeg. They aren't done with the additions, however.
“We’re still in the market for a couple of spots,” said Dos Santos to the club. “We’re still working to solidify the team. The most important thing heading into camp and knowing we have games coming is to set a physical foundation after coming out of a very long offseason. We do that through football.”
Forge FC
Like their rivals in Alberta, it’s been quiet for the Hammers since their defeat to Monterrey in the Champions Cup.
The reigning CPL Shield winners are set to resume training anytime now after having a 3-week break.
At the moment, their only confirmed friendlies are against Valour and the Simcoe County Rovers.
York United FC
Postcards from Portugal ????
— York United FC (@yorkutdfc) February 25, 2025
The squad landed in Nazaré on Tuesday, February 25, Over the next two weeks, the team will begin the foundation for a season filled with ambition and promise ??
Presented by @westjet #BetterTogether | #YorkUnitedFC pic.twitter.com/1XHqTdlBk8
York United began its pre-season with a trip to Nazaré, Portugal, where they drew 2-2 with Portuguese 2nd-tier outfit S.C.U. Torreense.
“Preseason isn’t just about fitness or tactics, it’s about setting the tone for everything we want to achieve this year,” said York head coach Mauro Eustaquio in a statement. “Portugal gives us the perfect environment to build a strong foundation, push the team physically, and develop the chemistry we need to compete at the highest level. This is a new group, and these weeks will be crucial for forging the identity, discipline, and mentality that will define us in 2025.”
The Nine Stripes will then return home to face AS Laval, Valour and Simcoe County Rovers through the end of March.
Atlético Ottawa
‘Ottléti’ heads into the off-season with a new head coach, Diego Mejía.
The club added Juan Castro, Noah Abatneh, Loïc Cloutier, Brett Levis, Monty Patterson, and David Rodríguez on loan.
Noah Verhoeven returned to Ottawa after his loan spell at Valour.
So far, only one friendly has been announced, with ‘Ottléti’ set to host the Simcoe County Rovers on March 7.
Halifax Wanderers
The Wanderers will travel to England, where they’ll be taking on the youth teams of Ipswich Town, Norwich City and Fulham FC.
During the off-season, the club brought on Thomas Meilleur-Giguère, Rayane Yesli, Isaiah Johnston, Yohai Baï and Jason Bahamboula.
Halifax also signed Alessandro Biello and Adam Pearlman on loan from CF Montréal and Toronto FC, respectively, with both parent clubs unable to recall the players during the season.
A semi-pro bonus
Our 2025 Preseason Schedule is set! ???
— Simcoe County Rovers FC (@RoversFC_L1O) February 4, 2025
Rovers will face top competition across MLS Next Pro, CPL, U-Sports, L1 Quebec & L1 Ontario!
?? Feb: TFC 2, TMU
?? Mar: Atlético Ottawa, Valour, CS Saint-Laurent, Forge, York Utd
?? Apr: Sudbury Cyclones, Rovers FC 2
#SCRFC pic.twitter.com/GuNWddBG4p
Thanks to the Simcoe County Rovers, a couple more pre-season friendlies involving CPL clubs have been revealed.
Atlético Ottawa will host the Barrie-based side on March 7.
Later in the month, Forge will also welcome them for a match.
“It’s been a busy offseason for the club after falling short of our goals last year. Stepping back to reflect, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we could have done more to create professional opportunities for our deserving players, despite a number of players signing fully professional contracts,” said Doneil Henry, Sporting Director and Head Coach to TrueNorthFoot. “In 2025, that has to change. We’re raising the intensity and making winning a daily standard in our environment.”
The Rovers, champions of League1 Ontario in 2023, are set to face their strongest pre-season test in club history, playing five professional teams.
“We wanted to provide our players with an early opportunity to showcase their talent in the 2025 campaign. Facing top professional teams not only challenges them at the highest level but also puts them on the radar of these clubs from the start,” Doneil told TrueNorthFoot. “This exposure increases the likelihood of our players being tracked throughout the season and ultimately securing professional contracts, whether during or after the 2025 season. At the same time, these matches serve as a key part of our preparation for the season ahead. Our ambition is clear—we want to win the league title, and earn our way back into the Canadian Championship.”
Henry is also leading recruitment for the second team, which competes in the third tier of the League1 Ontario system.
It’s worth noting that he and new assistant coach João Victor have a combined 546 professional appearances as players.
