Ottawa soccer fans are bidding a bittersweet farewell to the coach who put a championship trophy in the capital for the very first time.
Diego Mejía, head coach of Atlético Ottawa, has announced he is leaving the club to take charge at Atlético San Luis — the Mexican Liga MX side that operates as Ottawa's sister club under the broader Atlético de Madrid ownership umbrella. In an interview with CBC Ottawa's Rachelle Elsiufi, Mejía opened up about what his years in the capital have meant to him, and the word he kept coming back to was bittersweet.
A Championship That Changed Everything
Mejía's tenure in Ottawa will be remembered as the moment the club grew up. Under his leadership, Atlético Ottawa captured the North Star Cup for the first time in the club's history — a watershed moment for professional soccer in Canada's capital. For a team that had spent years methodically building its identity within the Canadian Premier League, the championship felt like a payoff for everyone: the players, the staff, and the thousands of supporters who packed TD Place to push them over the line.
That title didn't just put a banner in the rafters. It put Atlético Ottawa on the map as a genuine CPL contender and gave the fanbase something to believe in heading into every future season.
Why Mexico Is Calling
The move to Atlético San Luis is a significant leap. Liga MX is widely regarded as one of the strongest domestic leagues in North America, and the connection to Atlético de Madrid's global network makes the transition a logical one within the club's ownership structure. For Mejía, it's the kind of career opportunity that doesn't come twice — even when it means walking away from a city and a squad he's clearly grown attached to.
His candour about the difficulty of leaving says a lot. Ottawa gave Mejía the stage to prove himself at a championship level, and he's departing with the genuine warmth of a fanbase that watched him transform the club.
What Comes Next for the Club
For Atlético Ottawa, the pressing question is who picks up where Mejía left off. The North Star Cup raised expectations, and supporters will want the next coach to build on — not just maintain — what's been achieved. The club's relationship with Atlético de Madrid continues to provide scouting depth, coaching resources, and a recognizable attacking philosophy. Whoever inherits the role steps into a well-run organization with real momentum.
Ottawa Is Becoming a Soccer City
Mejía's success also reflects something larger happening in the capital. Atlético Ottawa has quietly turned Ottawa into a legitimate soccer market, drawing new fans to the CPL and giving local youth a professional side to root for at home. That cultural shift — just as much as any trophy — is the lasting part of Mejía's legacy here.
Ottawa gave him a platform. He gave Ottawa its first championship. That's a pretty good deal for everyone involved.
Source: CBC Ottawa — cbc.ca
