Introduction

This is the Northern 90 Podcast with Pat Sweet, Episode 9.

Welcome to the Northern 90 Canadian Premier League Podcast, covering the beautiful game in the great white north. For more Canadian Premier League content, head over to Northern90.ca. That’s Northern Nine Zero dot ca.

Welcome

Hello, Canada, and welcome to the Northern 90 Canadian Premier League Podcast!

In today’s episode, we’re doing something a little bit different. Today, you’ll get to hear my very first interviews with some of the founding members of Privateers 1882, the supporters’ group that gave up its original name to the club they support – Halifax Wanderers FC. I caught up with the guys at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport to welcome some of the club’s new players to the city.

The interviews were a lot of fun, I learned a lot, and I get the feeling that this is just the beginning of something much bigger for the show.

But before we get to the interviews, let’s tackle this week’s CPL headlines.

News

In this week’s headlines:

Pre-season is officially upon us, with players reporting to their respective clubs for the first time in the last week or so. And while Pacific FC’s players are hanging out in picturesque and beautiful Tofino, British Columbia, FC Edmonton Coach Jeff Paulus sent his squad to the woods for some character building. Check the links in the show notes for the pictures, they’re actually very cool, and I’ll let you guess which head coach is a former sailor in the Canadian Navy.

Earlier this month, the International Football Association Board approved some updates to the rules of the game, including a more precise definition of handball, having subs leave via the nearest boundary, team officials being able to get yellow and red cards, and several others. Additionally, the CanPL will be implementing these new rules this year. Check out the details using the links in the show notes.

The latest Canadian Men’s National Team call-ups have been announced for the final game of the CONCACAF Nations League Qualifying tournament. It’s a mix of old and new and is overall very encouraging. You’ve got your usual suspects, including Cyle Larin, Alphonso Davies, Jonathan Osorio, Junior Hoilett, Atiba Hutchinson… Of note, Will Johnson has been called up for the first time in two years. I’m a big fan of his – as much for his passion and for his playing. And nobody, and I mean nobody does the “incredulous” look quite like him. I’ll post a good example of that in the show notes for you.

Finally, members of the CanWNT unveiled the new official national team Nike kits in an event in France. The home kit is red, and has the Canada Soccer logo on one side, and the Nike logo on the left. The away kit is white with the same logos. I really wish there were more to say about them, but that’s literally all that can be said. Pretty uninspired, but that’s OK because the CPL’s Kurt Larson has promised some really incredible Macron kits for our league when they finally drop – so we’ll just have to save our excitement fo then.

If you want even more CPL content, including the most important headlines delivered straight to your inbox, then sign up for the Northern 90 Supporters’ group. When you join, you get a weekly newsletter with the top headlines, podcast notifications, access to private supporter’s group Facebook group, and much much more. Also, it’s free. Check it out at northern90.ca/join.

Next up, wandering around with Privateers 1882 in an airport named after underwear.

Interviews with Privateers 1882

This week’s episode marks the first interviews I’ve ever had on the show, and I’m very excited about this. To set the scene, the Privateers 1882 Twitter account announced that Halifax Wanderers players would be landing at the Halifax airport later that week and that people were welcome to come to join them.

So, I did what any rational soccer fan would do. I canceled my Friday night plans, bought a portable mic, and made the long drive out to the airport.

I caught up with three members of Privateers 1882, including:

Garret McPhee

Carlos Benites, and

James Covey

Garret McPhee

The first voice you’ll hear is from Garret McPhee

What struck me about Garret was his passion. He’s an absolute wealth of knowledge, not just about the club, but also the history of sport in this province. He’s the kind of guy you’d want to buy a pint and just sit and listen to.

Garret McPhee:

Carlos Benites

Carlos and I chatted quite a bit before I started recording

He was especially excited about the club’s South American signings, not just because he’s from Peru, but because his friends and family back home were excited that we were getting players of such quality. Gutierrez and Perea are names that are known.

Carlos Benites:

James Covey

Mr. James Covey is the president of the Privateers 1882 Supporters’ Group.

I had actually run into James earlier that day at a pizza shop in downtown Dartmouth. You can spot James from a mile away, always sporting his Wanderers ball cap and scarf.

James has been instrumental in helping rally support for the club and organized Privateers 1882 into the force that it is.

I think you’ll hear in the way he speaks just how excited he is about his club and this league materializing before his eyes.

James Covey:

Thoughts on the way home

Something I think you’ll hear in all three voices is the excitement, and a certain sense of wonder in all this. It’s amazing to see a new club materialize before your eyes, and you can tell just how invested these guys are in the project and its success.

I can only imagine that the story is the same throughout the country, with countless people doing their part to bring this project to life and make it a success this year and for years to come.

So often, sport is about consumption of what’s been created. You watch the games, you buy the gear, you read the stories. But, as James said, this is a unique time in that we’re witnessing, and even taking part in, the creation of this new league. And as excited as we all are for things to get off the ground and for the games to start, I think it’s important to take a moment and enjoy what we’re all involved in right here and now. We’re all part of something big here, and that’s worth appreciating.

What do you think?

If you’ve listened to the show, you know I love to hear from you guys – especially with this being my first episode featuring an interview. I’d love to know what you think of this deal. You can:

Leave a comment at northern90.ca/episode9

Write to me at pat at northern90.ca

Fire me a note on Twitter @northernninety

Next up, the mailbag.

Mailbag

Some great messages and ideas this week to share with you.

Blaise left an excellent comment on the show notes from the last episode. It was pointed out that in my analysis of days of rest per game, I didn’t include the Canadian Championship, and that that would likely balance out the pace of the spring and fall halves. While I haven’t done the math yet, I suspect Blaise is right on the money with that, so thank you!

Ed from Toronto wrote to make some suggestions on different episodes I could do in the future, including supporter group rituals, songs, and mascots, which are all great, so I’ve added that to my podcast plan.

Finally, Fabien (@fabienlloyd) on Twitter made a strong case for the league not being able to start earlier than late April. I made the suggestion in the last episode that at some point the league might consider expanding the season, because if MLS can do it, why can’t we. Fabien made the argument that, for the most part, the Canadian teams play away games early on. I’d like to know what you think – could CPL be starting earlier and playing a longer season? Let me know in the show notes or on Twitter.

Outroduction

That’s all we’ve got for the show today. If you liked the show, don’t forget to subscribe to it, and when you do leave an honest review. That helps me make the show better and others find it.

Also, if you’ve been enjoying this show, you should join my supporters’ group. When you join you get a weekly newsletter with curated CPL content, access to a members-only Facebook group, contests, giveaways, fantasy leagues, all sorts of good stuff. And it’s free. Check it out at northern90.ca/join.

Until then, have a great week.

Credits

Featured Image

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash.

Intro music

Move Like This by spinningmerkaba (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. Ft: Texas Radio Fish, Alex Beroza, and Snowflake

Main Content Intro Music

260809 Funky Nurykabe by spinningmerkaba (c) copyright 2010 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license.

Mailbag Music

I dunno by grapes (c) copyright 2008 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. Ft: J Lang, Morusque

Outro music

Urbana-Metronica (wooh-yeah mix) by spinningmerkaba (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. Ft: Morusque, Jeris, CSoul, Alex Beroza