Pitchside: Inside Tagwa Moyo's Favorite Games

As one of the co-founders of DARBY Magazine, photographer Tagwa Moyo has seen the highs and lows of Canadian soccer. In a very special Pitchside, he takes us through his all-time favorite games ever captured.

Toronto FC vs Seattle Sounders FC, 2017 MLS Cup

Obviously I have to include TFC winning MLS. That was kind of an amazing moment, because that was my first full season with the team. And being a fan of the team, it was my first look at that culture - getting to know the fans, the players. Turning up at every game that season and seeing how close they've all gotten. Being a part of that - and the celebration - was so cool.

Belgium vs Canada, 2022 World Cup

Looking at it now, It really could’ve been one of those moments where you can actually lose sight of what it’s all about. Treating it like a target to reach and then you move on.. When we landed in Qatar and shot training, it still all just felt like work. But that first match, when O Canada came on, and there were Canadians in Qatar singing. It all hit that we made it. The guys were right there at the biggest stage in football.

Canada vs Jamaica, 2022 World Cup qualification

It took me back to the celebrations in the locker room when we finally qualified. Like this was the moment we worked for and got to take it all in.

Canada vs USA, 2019 Nations League

I had the same feeling with the US. For so long, we’ve been the little brothers that would almost get there and then fall apart. So to beat America, after 34 years? Madness.

Canada vs USA, 2022 World Cup qualification

Then to do it again during that World Cup qualification? That was probably one of the most insane experiences I’ve seen.

Canada vs Mexico, 2022 World Cup qualification

This game? That was the most Canadian I've ever been in my life. We brought Mexico to the coldest provinces in Canada. It wasn’t even supposed to be snowing that day! But there was a crazy snowstorm that morning of the match. I remember,  literally having to shovel our spots to shoot during the game. Then after the match was over, we had a big snowball fight with the Mexican journalists because they’ve never seen snow before. The scoreline didn’t even matter anymore, it was just grownups having fun.

You can find more of Tagwa's work here