Quebec’s newest professional soccer club took a significant step toward its debut season Thursday night, as FC Supra du Québec officially unveiled its inaugural roster at Carrefour Laval.
The event offered supporters their first look at the players who will represent the province’s first team in the Canadian Premier League (CPL), marking a milestone moment for the organization ahead of its 2026 launch.
Co-founder and president Rocco Placentino described the evening as a defining moment for the club. “Tonight is a special event. It’s our first-ever team roster announcement,” he said.
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The club positions itself as a reflection of the province’s identity, emphasizing local talent, cultural diversity, and a shared passion for the sport.
The organization says its objective is to provide Quebec-based players with an opportunity to compete professionally at home while contributing to the growth of the game across the province. That vision was echoed throughout the evening, both by management and players who see the club as something bigger than soccer.
Placentino emphasized the community-first approach behind the project. “It’s for the public. This project’s for Quebec. So there’s going to be a lot of kids today from different clubs. They’re going to watch players walk out. That one day might be those little kids,” he said, highlighting the importance of inspiring the next generation.
Midfielder Alessandro Biello also underscored the pride of representing a local side. “It means a lot. Being able to play for a team where I come from, a local team, it means a lot,” he said. “We’re really excited to get started and hopefully have a good first year as FC Supra.”
Forward David Choinière echoed that sentiment, pointing to the club’s uniquely Quebec-focused identity. “It means a lot. I think this is a club for the people from here. And you know I grew up here, and the vision is to have a team full of Quebecers, and that’s what we’re doing,” he said. “I’m extremely privileged and grateful for the opportunity to be here and represent this club.”
Beyond the excitement of a new season, the launch of FC Supra represents a long-awaited breakthrough for professional men’s soccer in the province.
“It’s a long time coming,” Placentino said. “We’re very extremely proud, and we have a lot of pride that we get to represent our province, especially with all the players being from Quebec.”
Players also acknowledged the historical weight of the moment. “It’s big. It’s big for Quebec soccer,” Biello said. “We’ve been waiting for this team now. It’s a couple of years, and now we finally have it. So we’ve got to take advantage of this moment.”
Choinière added that being part of the club’s first season comes with both excitement and responsibility. “It’s a first. It comes with challenges, but we’re super excited to start the season and really show our fans what this club is about.”
Head coach Nicholas Razzaghi, who grew up within Quebec’s soccer system, described the project as deeply personal. “It means everything,” he said. “We’ve either been together or played against each other over the years, so to be able to bring all these guys to the professional level and represent our province with players that are from here is truly an unbelievable opportunity.”
While the roster reveal marked a ceremonial beginning, the club’s leadership made clear that its ambitions extend far beyond a single season.
Placentino highlighted player development as a central pillar of the organization. “It’s for them to showcase themselves and maybe one day they can go to a higher team in the world,” he said. “I’ve always said that the talent in this province is extraordinary. So now we get to put it in the forefront and show everybody who we are.”
Razzaghi reinforced that broader mission. “Our goal is to put Quebec on the map. That’s the truth,” he said. “We hope the guys will come out, along with the staff and club members, represent what our province is about, represent the community, connect with the kids, and give people a chance to see that in Quebec we have so much talent to offer and it’s time that it’s on the national stage.”
The players, meanwhile, are already focused on building a connection with supporters. “We want to be able to create a great atmosphere at our home games and try to create a community within a community to support this team,” Biello said.
FC Supra is set to open its competitive schedule on April 11, travelling to British Columbia to face Pacific FC at Starlight Stadium in Langford.
Despite the challenges of starting on the road, the team is embracing a grounded mindset heading into its first match.
“One game at a time,” Placentino said. “Whether you’re home or away, a game is a game. They’ve got to leave it on the field… If we go with that mindset, I think everything’s going to be okay.”
Biello shared a similar approach. “My mindset is to just take it game by game,” he said. “It’s going to be a special game for the club… we’re going to try to get a result for sure and try to make a good first impression in the league.”
Razzaghi acknowledged the emotions that will come with the historic opener. “It’s our first game. We’re all going to be excited, nervous. No one knows what to expect, so we’re going to go there, trust all the work that we’ve done, and give it everything we have.”
The club’s first home matches will follow at CEPSUM Stadium in Montreal, beginning April 19 against reigning CPL champion Atlético Ottawa. Halifax Wanderers will visit on April 24 before the team transitions most of its home schedule to Stade Boréale in Laval, starting May 3 against Cavalry FC.
Placentino encouraged fans to be part of that opening chapter. “It’d be nice to see everybody come out on April 19th… Our home opener, a historical moment for Quebec players and for the people of Quebec,” he said.
The CPL regular season will pause from June 11 to 26, aligning with a major international soccer tournament, before resuming later that month. FC Supra will close out its inaugural regular season on Oct. 25 in Halifax.
As anticipation builds, the club has already defined the identity it hopes to bring onto the pitch.
“The team’s motto is basically grit,” Placentino said. “We’re going to be a very dynamic team, a fun team to watch, a very offensive team, but never giving up. Fight for every ball, every tackle, every save on the line, every goal we can score.”
That philosophy appears to resonate throughout the organization, from leadership to players, as FC Supra prepares not just to compete—but to establish a lasting legacy in Quebec soccer.
