Vancouver FC Takes Front Seat At CPL-U SPORTS Draft

The Canadian Premier League’s newest club will get the first two picks of next month’s CPL-U SPORTS Draft, which will see all eight teams try to scoop up the best eligible U SPORTS athletes ahead of the 2023 CPL season.

Vancouver FC will receive the first two picks in the first round of the eight-team draft, after which selection order will be based from worst to first in terms of the 2022 regular season standings (with an exception for North Star Shield winners Forge, who go last). In the second round, Vancouver FC will not have a pick.

Fans interested in tuning in to the mid-day event can do so on the Canadian Premier League’s official YouTube channel, with Adam Jenkins set to host the event on Thursday, December 15, at 3:00PM EST.

This will mark the first time an expansion side will have undergone a draft before kicking a ball, as the November 2019 draft took place before Atletico Ottawa formally joined and took part in the subsequent Island Games season.

Here’s a recap on how the 2023 CPL-U SPROTS Draft order will go:

Round 1:

1. Vancouver FC
2. Vancouver FC
3. Halifax Wanderers
4. York United FC
5. Valour FC
6. Pacific FC
7. Cavalry FC
8. Atletico Ottawa
9. Forge FC

Round 2:

1. Halifax Wanderers
2. York United FC
3. Valour FC
4. Pacific FC
5. Cavalry FC
6. Atletico Ottawa
7. Forge FC

Unlike the MLS SuperDraft, a player’s selection doesn’t mean a club ‘has dibs’ on the athlete: they’re simply invited to pre-season training with the club that selected them, and may either ink a U SPORTS deal or, perhaps, a fully professional one.

As we’ve season with Cavalry selecting Easton Ongaro in the inaugural draft, the player may end up at another CPL side regardless.

Eligibility is open to U SPORTS athletes with 1-4 years of U SPORTS eligibility remaining, and they must be in good standing with both their school’s athletic program and educational institution. Athletes not planning to return to school the following year are not eligible.

It’s been a big year for some previous CPL-U SPORTS Draft picks, with former Cavalry selection Joel Waterman now representing Canada at the World Cup, while former Cavalry midfielder Victor Loturi is fighting for a starting spot at Ross County.

Expansion side Vancouver FC hasn’t publicly signed any players as of yet, with head coach Afshin Ghotbi seeking to recruit a team with ‘Vancouver’s DNA’ that can challenge for a playoff position in year one.

This will be the first draft without FC Edmonton following the termination of the franchise last week.