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Photo Credit: John Jacques
CPL In Review: Matchweek 16 – Punching Up
By The last four Canadian Premier League matches saw an incredible twelve goals scored, and they were not evenly divided amongst the competing teams. From a thrilling top-of-the-table clash to the league bottom team putting on a clinic, this was an incredible weekend of Canadian football. With some teams red hot and others stumbling, the contrasting form means the league standings are now in a state of flux.
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If you didn’t have time to catch all the action, here’s an at-a-glance recap of the Canadian Premier League’s sixteenth matchweek.
York United 4 – 1 Atletico Ottawa
The first-ever top of the table clash at York Lions Stadium was an all-time great for the hosts, who showed great character to come back from an early goal concession and storm to a thundering 4-1 win against table-topping Atletico Ottawa. Goals from Elijah Adekugbe, Juan Cordova, Molham Babouli, and Brian Wright – with two assists from debut winger Jorge Guzman – have the Nine Stripes flying high, with Otletti left ruing a continual drop in midseason form.
York United Quick Notes: Benjamin Mora has the Nine Stripes hitting high notes with a slick, attacking identity in full swing. The Pasquel Brothers had faith in York United’s roster being capable of league titles, and their form of late is backing up those big words.
Atletico Ottawa Quick Notes: The nation’s capital once had a big lead at the top of the table, but a midseason slump of form has whittled this down. They’re still in the pole position, but Carlos Gonzalez needs to find a solution – and quickly – to keep his team on target for a regular season championship.
Vancouver FC 0 – 1 Cavalry FC
A tough slump for Vancouver FC – who lie bottom of the form table – continued at home as former Eagle Mael Henry scored the game’s only goal to secure a one-nil victory for Cavalry, leapfrogging his former side in league standings. It’s a match that saw the visitors carve the bulk of opportunities, with Vancouver nearly falling out of a playoff spot as Afshin Ghotbi faces pressure to get his side flying high again.
Vancouver FC Quick Take: This is a team that needs to ‘find itself’ if they’re to rescue a season that has, of late, felt like it is slipping away. A lack of potency up front and difficulties at the back have combined to put VFC bottom of the form table over the last eight games, so they’ll need to regain consistency if they’re to make playoffs after fumbling a strong start this spring.
Cavalry FC Quick Take: Last season’s regular season champions haven’t been up to their usual form and are the far-and-away leaders for draws, so taking three points off Vancouver could spark wonders for team confidence. It was also nice to see Lowell Wright make his debut, especially with the club still searching for a consistent source of goals.
Forge FC 3 – 0 Halifax Wanderers
Full match recap here.
Wanderers-focused recap here.
After Halifax’s big win last week, the east coast side was hoping to build momentum with a solid showing against the reigning playoff champions. While they edged possession and put on what was ultimately a decent offensive showing, the team was put to the sword on counter-attacks and fell to a three-nil loss following a brace from Kwasi Poku and Nana Ampomah’s first goal for the hammers.
Forge FC Quick Take: A red-hot Kwasi Poku continues to be a golden boot contender as Forge gets just their second clean sheet since June 1. This was, despite a lack of possession, one of the most complete Forge performances of the campaign.
Halifax Wanderers Quick Take: It was match number fourteen for Halifax, their true midpoint of the season. In last place with half of their games ending in losses, Patrice Gheisar has yet to balance the attacking identity that worked so well last year with the defensive performances one needs to get games. In the back half of the season, as Nimick said, it’s do or die time.
Pacific FC 0 – 3 Valour FC
Oddsmakers be damned: Valour stormed to a huge victory out west that was, without a doubt, exactly what the doctor ordered for the struggling Winnipeggers. A clean sheet will do wonders as their attack far exceeded an xG of 1.39, but what matters for the visitors is that they’re off the bottom of the table after goals from Antonoglou, Hundal, and an absolutely delightful effort from Binate.
Pacific FC Quick Take: Make no mistake about it, dropping out of a playoff spot at home against a struggling Valour side will sting. The hosts never quite found a rhythm in a match that saw Devin O’Hea make his professional debut, but right now the Tridents still need to get their offensive pistons firing.
Valour FC Quick Take: This match was the perfect example of what Valour can be when the club lives up to its potential: a resilient defense led by Tass Mourdoukoutas kept an eager Pacific attack at bay, while the visitors procured plenty of shots at the opposite end with three finding the back of the net. Phillip Dos Santos will hope great momentum can be gained from a strong night out west.
Matchweek sixteen saw some significant changes in the league table: Atletico Ottawa’s lead has dwindled down to be within touching distance, while Cavalry and Valour have punched upwards in the standings at the expense of Vancouver FC – who are bottom of the form table – and Halifax Wanderers, who are bottom of the literal league table.
A battle of contrasting form will see York United travel to Pacific FC in a Friday night match that should provide fireworks. On Saturday, Atletico Ottawa must contend with Cavalry at TD Place, with Valour’s spark of form in for a real test when Forge comes to Princess Auto Stadium a day later. Monday will close things out with Halifax Wanderers hosting Vancouver FC: these are two sides in dire need of a win, so we expect they’ll hold nothing back.
Header Image Photo Credit: John Jacques
