Another week has wrapped up in the CPL, and we saw all eight teams play off against each other on this exciting weekend. With some teams preparing for their Canadian cup matchups next week, we saw some players sit this week, while giving opportunities to other players who may usually see the bench. This week saw a total of 10 goals, yet three goalies managed to keep the ball out of the net. For this week’s Team of the Week, we will feature the classic 4-4-2 formation.
Goalkeeper
Triston Henry (Forge FC)
One of the three goalies to hold a clean sheet in week seven of the Canadian Premier League, Triston Henry played a solid game and helped Forge to a massive win over Halifax on Friday. Stopping the two shots he had to face, Henry held a big body to give him his second clean sheet of the season.
Defenders
Bradley Vliet (Calvary FC)
At left-back, this Dutch defender made a solid impact and played a big part in Calvary’s FC 2-1 over Valour FC on Saturday. Vliet was seen all over the pitch completing 38 passes and finishing with 79 touches.
Amer Didic (Pacific FC)
The former FC Edmonton center back had an impressive game on Friday evening, helping his squad hold the clean sheet and picking up the point on Friday evening. Didic had an outstanding 92% on accurate passing. The 6’4 defencemen was able to block three shots, make two interceptions, and cleared the ball two times, to continue the excellent performance he’s shown early in the season.
Dominick Zator (York United FC)
On the other end of the field of Didic, Zator is the second center back in this week’s Team of the Week. Zator’s performance was impressive enough to earn him the man of the match. Zator played the whole 90 minutes having one block, seven recoveries and astonishing 11 clearances and helped York get the point on the road against the number one team in the league.
Chrisnovic N’sa (York United FC)
Making this Team of the Week’s right-back is York United’s Chrisnovic N’sa. The second York player on the team N’sa only missed two of the attempted passes he made, making 30 out of 32 passes he tried to complete. With 60 touches he made two interceptions and completed four out of the five ground duels he went in for.
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Midfielders
Alessandro Hojabrpour (Forge FC)
The highly anticipated off-season addition to the Forge lineup, Hojabrpour got his first assist of the season Friday in Halifax. Hojabrpour assisted Choinière’s 22nd-minute goal to open up the scoring. Though picking up a yellow in the second half, the 21-year-old controlled the midfield and keep the pressure in the Halifax end being a big part in the 4-0 win.
Ben Fisk (Calvary FC)
Making his fifth start of the season, Ben Fisk stood out amongst the players in the 2-1 win over Valour FC. Fisk kept the pressure on the Valour backline and keeper, creating five chances in the 88 minutes he played. With experience on the pitch, Fisk contributed on the backend as well, making nine recoveries.
David Choinière (Forge FC)
With his best game of the season, it would be hard to say David Choinière doesn’t make this week’s Team of the Week. Halifax is known as one of the hardest places to play in the league, but you wouldn’t think that after seeing the outcome on Friday night. Choinière made three shots on goal scoring on two of them to lift Forge to a 4-0 win. Though only playing for 65 minutes Choinière kept Halifax on their toes while he was on the pitch.
Ollie Bassett (Atletico Ottawa)
With Bassett scoring the game-winner from the spot in the 70th minute, he had an impact all over the field on Sunday afternoon. Though his goal came from a penalty, Basset was all over the pitch taking five corners and creating four chances. Bassett worked his legs in the full 90 minutes making 10 recoveries and having 65 touches.
Forwards
Emery Welshman (Forge FC)
Only playing in 65 minutes like teammate Choinière, Welshman did his fair share in the 4-0 win on Friday. Emery Welshman got a goal himself as well as an assist on Choinière’s second goal of the game in the 60th minute. Making just his first start of the season, Welshman put in a solid performance on the attacking end of the pitch and showed great chemistry with Choinière and Campbell.
Brian Wright (Atletico Ottawa)
With scoring the opening goal of the game in the 40th minute, Wright was unlucky to leave with just one goal. With two other massive chances to score, Wright was turned away by FC Edmonton keeper Andreas Vaikla. Even with those two misses, Wright did enough to get himself man of the match, having four shots on just 25 touches.
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I do love these, but Baskett showed better than Henry with his one double save, facing 10, stopping 6. CPL pundits gotta get over Carducci and Henry, neither are great, are good at best. Carducci elevates confidence, Henry terrifies fans with his midfield play, Inability to stop bad angles. This game he had almost nothing to do, nowhere near deserving. If it’s # of shots on a clean sheet, you have to go Giantopoulos 3 svs. Alternatively, Sirois stops a penalty, granted not the rebound and lost, but still impressive. Even Carducci was better than Henry this week. WAY OFF ON THAT ONE, but still 90% accurate otherwise 😉