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Sudbury Cyclones defender Jaden Timmis, left, battles for the ball with Burlington SC forward Amir Shirazi during Ontario Premier League 1 soccer action at James Jerome Sports Complex in Sudbury, Ont. on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Ben Leeson/The Sudbury Star/Postmedia Network Photo by Ben Leeson /The Sudbury Star
They were still working out the kinks on Saturday, but the Sudbury Cyclones had a very real chance to pick up their very first win in the Ontario Premier League 1 ranks.
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Still scoreless between the Cyclones and Burlington SC after an hour minutes of action at James Jerome Sports Complex in Sudbury, despite some quality chances for the locals and the loss of Tomas Joseph to a red card, the match was finally broken open in the 61st minute when Burlington’s Mohamed Shakman snuck a ball between Connor Vande Weghe and his far post.
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That stood as the only marker in a very rare home-pitch loss for the Cyclones, who have now played four games without the benefit of a practice facility, the Lancer Dome still undergoing repairs and James Jerome itself only just opened for use.
After winning an OPL Cup game to start the season, they have gone 0-3 to start the OPL 1 schedule.
“It’s hard to progress, because we haven’t had the field time,” said Jaden Timmis, a 23-year-old Manchester, England native and a third-year stalwart in the Sudbury backfield. “We haven’t even had a chance to work on anything really, as a team, with everybody at a session. We’ve had a few numbers as a session here, a few numbers at a session there, but not everybody has been together yet, so it’s tough. Considering that, I’d say in the performances we’ve put in, you can’t fault the effort from the lads.
“There’s not much more we can do. Things just aren’t going away at the minute and that’s off the pitch, with the facilities and stuff and also the officiating of the games, so it’s frustrating.”
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Timmis has accounted for one of Sudbury’s two goals this OPL 1 season, with fellow third-year Cyclone Jaiden Santo scoring the other last week. Like his teammate, he has played an important role in helping newcomers to settle in and stay focused amid their early-season challenges.
“Even with those, I think the vibe we’ve got as a team, we’re still jelling together, but it’s positive,” Timmis said. “We’re all getting along and me being in my third season with the Cyclones, I know what’s expected and I know how we play. It’s just getting the other guys who are new used to that and showing them, leading by example and they can follow.”
A standout product of Algoma University and a key contributor to the Cyclones’ promotions from OPL 3 and OPL 2 (then known as League2 Northeast and League1 Championship, respectively), Timmis was eager to rejoin the squad for its move to the top tier of men’s soccer in the province.
“I love Sudbury,” he said. “I think the community’s great and the support for our games, I love that. When I first came in, I honestly didn’t expect it to be as good as it is. And the staff are great with us. They support us with everything, on and off the field. I love the environment here, so it was a no-brainer for me to come back.”
The Cyclones hope their return to OPL Cup action, a home game against Waterloo United this coming Tuesday, will yield a return to the win column. An OPL 2 team, Waterloo is 2-0-1 to start that season.
Kickoff time at James Jerome on Tuesday is 7 p.m.
The Cyclones will follow that with another OPL 1 home game against Sigma FC next Saturday, also at 7 p.m.
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