A New Era Begins: 2025 Season Preview
Whether you’ve been taking a much-needed break from social media, sheltering somewhere warm for the winter, or living under a rock, you might have missed key announcements from Atletico Ottawa as they gear up for the 2025 Canadian Premier League season. Don’t fret – that’s why we are here! With the new season around the corner, Ottawa is gearing up to kick off their sixth season with a home opener against the Halifax Wanderers on April 5th, a week earlier than usual. After a roller-coaster 2024 campaign, which saw the team lead the table on the strength of a seven-game undefeated streak, their momentum slipped in late summer, leaving them to finish third. That said, there is much to look forward to as the team prepares for a new chapter with fresh leadership both on and off the field. Keep reading below for everything you may have missed in the offseason and all you have to look forward to in 2025.
The 2024 offseason was dubbed the “Cold Fernando Winter,” as previous CEO Fernando López and head coach Carlos González overhauled the squad by bringing in top players to fill the team sheet. Unfortunately, ATO wasn’t able to freeze out the competition as their early momentum slipped away and they finished third in the table before a heartbreaking semi-final loss to Forge FC in the playoffs. Although it wasn’t the fairytale ending many hoped for, the season was largely positive despite frustration from supporters and players alike on the playing style chosen by previous gaffer Carlos González.
Luckily, fans won’t have to worry about parking the bus this year, as this offseason has brought tremendous turnover – not just in the roster but also in the front office – ushering in a shift towards a more attacking, possession-based style of play. As a result, we are likely to see a significantly different ATO on the pitch in 2025 compared to the past two seasons.
New Faces, New Philosophy, New Coaching Staff
In addition to the announcement of new CEO Manuel Vega and manager JD Ulanowski, perhaps the most significant hiring of the off-season was head coach Diego Mejía. A former professional player in Mexico’s top divisions with experience in Europe and the English Premier League, Mejía brings a wealth of tactical knowledge and a fresh approach to the team. He replaces Carlos González, whose defensive-minded style became a point of vexation, particularly after late-game slip-ups cost the team valuable points in 2024 and saw the team eliminated from playoffs in 2023.
Joining Mejía on the coaching staff are assistant coaches Diego Campos, Alex Baró, and previous Ottawa Fury FC player Romuald Peiser (also goalkeeping coach). Mejía’s philosophy is clear: “we like to be dominant on the ball, relentless pressing, and commit forward no matter the challenge”. This marks a significant change towards a more attacking, possession-based style – something fans have been eagerly awaiting. With a focus on attacking football and ball dominance, 2025 promises to bring a much more exciting style of play.
Massive Changes: Player Overhaul
As mentioned, this offseason has seen a number of players come and go. One of the most notable departures is the absence of Ollie Bassett who left for the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship in November after three seasons with the club. Bassett leaves behind a legacy as the all-time appearance leader, 2022 Player of the Year, and Players’ Player of the Year, and the 2023 Golden Boot Winner. Additionally, perhaps the biggest hole to fill this season is the absence of 2024 Golden Boot contender and club’s all-time single-season goals leader Rubén del Campo, who returned to Spain to join UCAM Murcia after his contract expired. ATO also transferred Ottawa native Matteo de Brienne to Sweden’s GAIS, and club legend Maxim Tissot announced his retirement last season after suffering recurring knee injuries.
We’ll also see some familiar faces playing for our opponents, as right-back Kris Twardek joined Winnipeg’s Valour FC and centre-back Luke Singh signed with York United.
Despite these key departures, new signings have injected fresh hope into the hearts of supporters, with Vega “feel[ing] very confident about our future success”. Ottawa has bolstered its backline and midfield, focusing on stability and strength in these areas by signing centre-backs Noah Abatneh and Loïc Cloutier, as well as exercising the option on Amer Didić. They’ve also solidified the attack, taking the option on Samuel Salter and adding Mexican forward David Rodríguez. New signings also add leadership and depth to the squad through the addition of veterans Brett Levis (left-back), Juan ‘Coque’ Castro (central midfielder), and Monty Patterson, a striker who was the top scorer in the New Zealand National League last year with 22 goals in 27 appearances. Additionally, Atlético Ottawa has re-signed Alberto Zapater.
Coach Mejía expressed a desire to develop young local talent, and he’s kept his word by adding a handful of promising players to the roster such as left-sided player Joaquim Coulanges and the aforementioned Cloutier and Abatneh. The club selected Jason Hartill and Adam N'Goran in the draft, both of whom joined the club in pre-season, along with eight other players from the Development Squad, all of whom will look to gain professional contracts with the club. The gaffer has also brought in young talent from partner club Atlético San Luis with the addition of Iker Moreno and Kevin Ortega rounding out the backline and midfield.
We should see Jonathan Grant mark his debut bearing the red-and-white stripes, after being sidelined for the 2024 season due to a knee injury. Kévin dos Santos also recovered from a significant knee injury that prevented him from seeing the field in all but 10 appearances last year. Their return to full form could prove crucial, with Grant adding depth to the defence and dos Santos offering much-needed support in attack.
After patiently waiting for the announcement of a second goalkeeper – an area of concern with Nathan Ingham’s injury history over the last two seasons – we were pleased to see Atleti Development Program’s Tristan Crampton brought on. While we expect Ingham to keep the starting position, having the Ligue 1 Québec Golden Glove recipient as a back-up between the woodwork gives us confidence and reassurance should a switch be required.
With a focus on developing local talent, leveraging partnerships with Atlético San Luis, and solidifying leadership in the locker room, the stage is set for a thrilling 2025 campaign featuring a solid mix of experienced players and newcomers.
Looking Ahead
If the new signings and bolstered squad depth weren’t enough to convince you that Ottawa’s lineup is shaping up strong, then you only need to look at the hard work put in by the players during the offseason. Gabriel Antinoro and Tyr Walker had the opportunity to refine their skills while training with Atlético San Luis, while Ingham spent time in California working with San Diego FC, and Abatneh trained in Zaragoza, Spain. In addition to individual development, the team came together for a training match against the Simcoe County Rovers before jetting to Mexico for their pre-season. Social media posts from the club have highlighted strong team dynamics both on and off the field, showcasing a united and focused group. With a couple more matches slated for the coming week, the team is sure to be ready to hit the ground running and hopefully scoring.
The mood surrounding the new coaches, players, and fresh philosophy has been positive after frustrations with last year’s defensive tactics. As the 147-day wait for the new season comes to a close, the countdown to the opener has officially begun. With new faces, veteran players, a fresh tactical outlook, and a squad determined to succeed, Atlético Ottawa has all the ingredients for an exciting, attacking brand of football. That said, early fixtures will be crucial in determining how the team gels under the new coaching staff and how the revamped squad performs in the coming months.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the action – grab your tickets and come down to TD Place on April 5th to support the team!
About the author
C.D. Girard (she/her/elle) discovered Atlético Ottawa during their 2023 season and has been a loyal fan ever since. A long-time admirer of the sport, she first began playing football at the age of seven and most looks forward to international competitions, supporting both Canada and the Netherlands.
