Nice to get back in the saddle. Derek was as open as ever with us. Lots of interesting little nuggets.

Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti. "Please get the truth out about our son."

There needs to be serious discussions around the World Cup being moved to a different country. Today's footage is some of the most despicable shit I've ever seen, and the tyranical, odious, orange-faced slug who permitted this should not be rewarded by FIFA. Spineless, corrupt cunts, all of them.

New: Last year, @hfxwanderersfc.bsky.social striker Tiago Coimbra shared a stage with CanMNT's Jesse Marsch in Halifax. Now, they're sharing a pitch in California, part of the gaffer's long-term approach to identifying Canadian talent. My latest for @us.theguardian.com.

New: A New Year's Day session with Alphonso Davies. Training with MLS side Houston Dynamo. Winning the Best Canadian U-21 Player award. And a call-up for Jesse Marsch's @canmntofficial.bsky.social. The last few months, suffice it to say, have been a whirlwind for Tiago Coimbra. #CanPL

ICYMI: @hfxwanderersfc.bsky.social head coach Vanni Sartini talks pasta alla norma, what he’s learned since he left the Whitecaps and his hopes for his #CanPL tenure.

"Everybody knows the things I stand for, and how I think politically, so probably the United States is not the best place to go, in this moment." — Vanni listing factors in his decision to take on the Wanderers project; alzate i gomiti!

New: Their former head coach called @vanfootballclub.bsky.social the best last-place team in league history. Now, they're gearing up for Concacaf's premier competition with the likes of Lionel Messi and Inter Miami thanks to a magical #CanChamp cup run. Proudly for @theathleticfc.bsky.social.

What an obsequious, toadying, servile, brown-nosing, corrupt little cunt Gianni Infantino is. The FIFA 'peace prize' is the most cringe-worthy, pathetic thing I've ever seen in my life. Football deserves better than this travesty of a ceremony and ruling body.

Can I interest you in some shipping containers, my good man.

I miss Valour FC already. I feel for the fans, players and staff So I wrote a little something as some catharsis. Not for answers, since I don’t have any Hopefully it helps you too. Remember the good and the bad Be happy it happened Be hopeful it returns hammerofsparx.ca/the-death-of...

My Q&A with @hfxwanderersfc.bsky.social president Derek Martin covering: -Not renewing Patrice Gheisar -The coaching search -Mark Watson's future -A new coach 'before the end of the year' -Selling Tiago Coimbra and much more #CanPL

Trip home for Christmas booked ✔️ Tickets for Arsenal v Palace & Arsenal v Brighton bought ✔️ Filling the CPL hole with some Carabao & Barclays.

It's the sixth story on the BBC app. Madness.

Rodriguez will get all the plaudits here, but Manny Aparicio has put in an all-timer of a performance tonight.

There should be a rule stating each Premier League team is allowed a maximum of one player who plays with their socks rolled down. But Everton have 4! I'm launching an enquiry @davidrobbo.bsky.social @halifaxdave33.bsky.social

My beautiful laundrette www.theguardian.com/football/202...

I'm torn on Hummel being the new CPL kit maker. On the one hand, they made my favourite ever shirt: Denmark, 1986. On the other hand, they made the HFX Tides kit, which is so egregiously low-effort and phoned in that I hope the NSL sends them to the Hague.

Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design. news.sky.com/story/the-x-...

What is Bobby Smyrniotis' accent?

We're all getting on the beers/NAs post-game if we win tonight, right?

If anyone needs my ticket for tonight, let me know. I'll be there but sitting in a different area. Free of charge as I really want the stadium packed.

Two charts 28 weeks in the making. We had some rough spots, but we were always a team to take seriously.

NEW: @hfxwanderersfc.bsky.social got the home playoff game they were after. Now what will it take to beat York—and beyond that, if they manage a Wednesday victory, earn a first-ever road result in Calgary? @fromawayshfx.bsky.social and I discuss. Listen 🎧: pod.co/wanderer-gro...

Benjamin Sesko is latest player damned by a pitiless conveyor belt of takes and memes | Jonathan Liew

Something new, for the storytellers open.substack.com/pub/farandwi...

New: At times, it was sloppy. It involved suffering. But @hfxwanderersfc.bsky.social did what they needed to do, securing a 3-0 win over Valour FC to keep their chase for third on the table alive. My latest for CanPL.ca.

Wanderers have scored more than in 2023. They are a win away from the same points. They've won as many games. Won more away games.. etc. etc. Yet the mood feels different, less positive. Theories on why?

Cheers to the 3pts. Shit streaming signal, great view.

Fond memories of Ollie Bassett telling me to shut up because I tweeted out that Zapater spent the whole match against us standing in the centre circle blowing fumes. A simpler time. Happy retirement, big man 🫡

🗣️Oliver Glasner on formations/systems. #cpfc

Watching Sammy Saltpot tuck one away while I'm at the gym. We've officially made it to the big time, lads.

If Valour lose tonight we're guaranteed a play-off spot 🤞

🎙️ BIG NEWS! @brandonfque.bsky.social and I have started a podcast! It’s called Canadian Kickabout, part of the @cansoccerdaily.bsky.social network, and we’ll be talking CanSoc with a #CanPL focus Listen to the trailer here: 🍎: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/c... 🟢: open.spotify.com/show/1x6pWHe...

As good as we've ever looked in Hamilton. Fully accept Forge will now score a scabby goal and win 2-0. But the first 20 has been exceptional.

Light work, that ☺️

New: For @hfxwanderersfc.bsky.social head coach Patrice Gheisar, Saturday's match feels like the most important of his tenure in Halifax. The Wanderers season hangs in the balance despite their best start in club history. My story for hfxfootballpost.ca. #CanPL

Anyone interested in making up the numbers for some football at BMO tomorrow, 4-5pm? Low level, not particularly competitive.

Fucking hell. The pivot I just made from "decent depth signing, him" to "I will die for this man" is unprecedented.

@tim-stillman.bsky.social Hey Tim, today's awful Jota news has made me want to re-read the Reyes piece you wrote a few years ago. Do you have link to it? Googling your name + Reyes didn't work. Thank you.

Shit day for it 🤗

If you ever wondered how CPL players would get on against an elite team, Myer Bevan's Auckland plays Bayern Munich this afternoon. Might be worth ignoring the fact that Gianni Infantino is a monumental bellend to see how he does.

Most diverse group of supporters in the league

Who's going to Quebec next weekend?

TOP OF THE LEAGUE! @landofsticks.bsky.social and I went live after @hfxwanderersfc.bsky.social's 2-0 win over Atlético Ottawa to climb atop the #CanPL table. Plus, Tiago Coimbra joins the show and we hear from the @hfxtidesfc.bsky.social on their @nsl.ca start. Listen 🎧: pod.co/wanderer-gro...

I made it to the Show! @downthepubpod.bsky.social check out this weeks show, lots of fun

Have you been to Atlantic News to grab this week's issue yet?

Today feels like a game we need to win in the first half. Going to be some heavy legs 70 mins onwards after CanChamp & Cavalry with a full week off. Scab a goal first 45 then play some terroristball to get over the line 🤞