Montreal fears losing its American League club after it was put up for sale

The city of Montreal fears losing its club participating in the North American Soccer League (MLS), after its owner announced that it was for sale.

The president and founder of CF Montreal, Joey Saputo, announced on Monday evening that he had “taken the decision to begin organized procedures in preparation for the sale of the club.”

The Canadian businessman added, during a press conference: “We would prefer to find the right buyer here so that the club can remain in Montreal,” without being able to provide guarantees about its staying in the largest cities in the province of Quebec.

In a closed tournament such as the American League, transferring one of the clubs to another city remains possible.

The announcement of the sale of CF Montreal raised concerns in political circles in the French-speaking province of Quebec, which is still affected by the departure of the Montreal Expos baseball team in 2004 after its transfer to Washington.

The new head of the separatist provincial government, Paul Saint-Pierre Plamondon, announced on Tuesday that he “will study what will be offered to us” by potential investors, and did not rule out the possibility of the government contributing a minority stake in the football club, which was founded in 1992, to avoid moving it to another city.

He added: “A responsible government cannot close the door before reviewing the proposed projects.”

For its part, the municipality of Montreal confirmed, in a statement sent to Agence France-Presse: “We want, above all, for the club to be able to rely on investors from Quebec who are keen on its independence and want to see it continue to grow here in Montreal.”

The club, which was called “Impact” until 2021, is experiencing one of its worst seasons since joining the “American League” in 2012, after achieving only 6 victories and collecting 26 points in 34 matches.

CF Montreal, which was coached by Frenchman Thierry Henry between 2019 and 2021, ranked last in the Eastern Conference standings.

English club Manchester United is close to reaching an agreement with Argentine Mauricio Pochettino to take over as coach of the first football team, in the event of the dismissal of Michael Carrick, based on a recommendation that will be presented by sporting director Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Perada to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who owns a minority stake in the club and controls its sports policy.

According to the British newspaper The Guardian, on Wednesday, Pochettino, the current coach of the US national team, wants to leave his position and move to Manchester United, if Carrick is dismissed, as expected.

Wilcox and Perrada hold a meeting with Ratcliffe in Monaco, to inform him of their recommendation that Carrick's job should be terminated, amid growing conviction within the Manchester United dressing room that the current coach will leave, and that Pochettino will be his successor.

The Argentine coach has extensive experience in the English Premier League, having previously coached Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea.

Pochettino's contract with the US Football Association includes a penalty clause worth about 10 million dollars, equivalent to 7.5 million pounds sterling, but the compensation that Manchester United will have to pay may increase if the coach brings his own technical staff, including his close assistant Jesus Perez, who has been working with him for 16 years.

Pochettino is scheduled to lead the American team in two matches against Haiti, on Saturday and Wednesday, in the cities of Miami and Cincinnati, respectively, within the CONCACAF Nations League competitions, in the first two official matches for the team within the qualifying round for the 2030 World Cup.

Michael Carrick oversaw a disastrous start for Manchester United this season. The team occupies eighteenth place in the English Premier League, within the relegation zone.

The 45-year-old coach only achieved one victory in the league, which came at the expense of Ipswich last August, compared to 3 victories in all competitions, while Manchester United bid farewell to the League Cup against Brighton last September.

England captain Harry Kane is preparing to crown his golden year by breaking the record for the number of international appearances with the “Three Lions” team during the match against Croatia, on Thursday, in the fifth round of the third group competitions, within the first level of the European Nations League football competition.

When Kane leads his country at Wembley Stadium to play his 126th international match, he will surpass the previous record held by former goalkeeper Peter Shilton, who has stood since 1990.

This will be the latest achievement in an exceptional 12 months for the German Bayern Munich striker, who in October became the first English player to win the Ballon d'Or in 25 years.

Ken's pride in receiving this prestigious award was evident during his moving speech at the lavish ceremony held in London.

Holding the record for the number of international matches with England will give an additional dimension to an unforgettable year, confirming the exceptional continuity and solidity of the 33-year-old player.

Kane holds the record for the England national team's top scorers, with 91 goals, and is also the all-time top scorer for his former club, Tottenham, with 280 goals.

Since leaving his boyhood club and joining Bayern Munich in 2023, Kane has taken his level to a new level.

He scored 156 goals with the German club, and finally won his first group title by winning the German League in 2025 and 2026.

Kane has also developed as a leader, a quality that was evident - according to reports - when he clearly expressed his dissatisfaction with the defensive style of England's German coach, Thomas Tuchel, during the loss to Argentina in the semi-finals of the World Cup in North America, in July.

Tuchel relied on strengthening the defensive line to maintain the 1-0 lead, but Argentina took advantage of the situation and scored two goals in the final minutes, depriving Kane of his first appearance in the World Cup final.

During frank meetings leading up to the international break in September, Kane was said to have led a spirited discussion within the national team with Tuchel about his tactical options.

As a teammate of Kane's in the England national team and a rival in the Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarel Quansah has special appreciation for his compatriot.

Kane became the first German League player to win the Ballon d'Or since Matthias Sammer in 1996.

“Honestly, the whole Bundesliga is very happy,” Quansah told the BBC this week. Because he hasn't seen a winner of this award in a long time. “They got along with him wonderfully, and everyone knows his value.”

He added: “He is a scary player when you face him. Nobody wants to play against him. “It is almost certain that he will score a goal every week, and everyone recognizes his quality.”

He continued: “I also think he received wonderful receptions from different audiences, which is always a nice thing.”

Since scoring just 79 seconds into his debut with England as a substitute against Lithuania in 2015, Kane has proven that he was created to shine on the international stage.

Kane dreams of becoming the first England captain to lift an international tournament trophy since Bobby Moore lifted the World Cup in 1966.

Kane previously experienced the bitterness of losing in the European Cup final in 2021 and 2024.

But regardless of his quest to add titles to his coffers, Quansah believes that the way Kane behaves within the national team camp confirms his status as a legend of English football.

“He is an exemplary professional and has achieved everything,” he said. "It's about the standards he sets off the field."

He added: “He is always the first to attend meetings. He is always waiting for the team to gather. No member of the group is ever allowed to work alone.”

He concluded by saying: “With everything he stands for, he is a truly great leader.”