{
  "id": 782677,
  "title": "Montreal Roses FC fires coach Robert Rositoiu after W Canadian Championship exit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/montreal-roses-fc-fires-coach-robert-rositoiu-after-w-canadian",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-13T15:53:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/soccer/2026/08/13/montreal-roses-fc-fires-coach-robert-rositoiu-after-w-canadian-championship-exit"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Montreal Roses FC terminated the contract of head coach Robert Rositoiu after a shocking defeat in the W Canadian Championship. This move came just one day after the team’s defeat. Rositoiu, who took over as head coach in September 2024, led the Roses to a semifinal spot in their debut season. However, they were eliminated from the 2026 tournament in the quarterfinals, losing 1-0 to Simcoe County of the Ontario Premier League.\n\nSporting director Marinette Pichon revealed on Thursday that Maryse Bard-Martel, the Roses' first assistant coach and head of goalkeeping, would assume the role of interim head coach until a permanent replacement is found. The Roses finished second in the Northern Super League standings with 10 games left in the regular season. Despite their strong standing, the team's defeat marked the end of their championship run.\n\nIn a statement, Pichon praised Rositoiu for his contributions to the club during his time there. She highlighted his role in establishing a competitive environment and his impact on the development of numerous players. Pichon acknowledged that the decision to relieve Rositoiu of his duties was difficult, but emphasized the need for a fresh perspective as the team moves forward. She thanked Rositoiu for his service and wished him success in future endeavors.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}