The Sudbury Cyclones are rewriting the script for soccer in Northern Ontario. With a dominant 4-0 win over Guelph United on Wednesday night, the club secured a second consecutive promotion — climbing into League1 Premier just two years after relaunching.
For head coach Giuseppe Politi, who has spent decades building the game in Sudbury, the achievement is both unexpected and historic.
“When this project started in 2024, we just wanted to show Sudbury could compete,” Politi said. “To be standing here two promotions later — this is beyond what anyone thought possible.”
From Survival to Success
After finishing second in League2 last season, the Cyclones entered 2025 with modest goals: hold their ground in League1 Championship and avoid relegation. Instead, the squad surged to the top of the table, collecting wins week after week and proving they belonged among Ontario’s best.
Even when the team hit a rough patch in August, they had already banked enough points to secure promotion. Whether they finished first or second, the result was the same — Sudbury was moving up.
“This promotion is for the doubters,” Politi declared. “The doubters of the team, the city, and even the staff. They pushed us to prove them wrong.”
Building Depth and Identity
Much of Sudbury’s success was rooted in roster depth. The Cyclones returned a core from 2024 but added key new pieces thanks to the work of assistant coach Evan Phillips.
Fresh signings Connor Vande Weghe and Isaiah Noel blended with returning standouts like Jaden Timmis, Timi Aliu, and Cedric DeVos, while unexpected midseason pickups such as Sam Henriques and Phil Edmonds added extra firepower.
“Every single player contributed something important this season,” Politi said. “It wasn’t about one star — it was about building a team that could win together.”
Challenges Ahead
Managing a talent-packed roster brought its own difficulties, particularly when it came to balancing playing time. But as Politi pointed out, winning cures a lot of headaches.
“It may not have been the most attractive soccer, but it worked,” he said with a smile.
The Cyclones now enter a new era. Competing in League1 Premier in 2026 means facing Ontario’s top 11 sides and drawing some of the best players in the province. For fans, it also means the highest level of soccer Sudbury has ever hosted.
“League1 Premier gives us a chance to bring elite talent here,” Politi said. “We’ve shown Sudbury is a place to train, compete, and be part of something special. The community support has been incredible.”
A New Standard for Sudbury Soccer
The Cyclones’ back-to-back promotions have already established them as one of the most ambitious clubs in Ontario. The next challenge will be sustaining success at the top level.
But if the past two years are any indication, Sudbury’s newest sports tradition isn’t slowing down any time soon.