Welcome to As It Stands. At the start of each week through the end of the season, we’ll bring you this easy-to-digest wrap-up of everything you need to know from the weekend that was in the Canadian Premier League, and keep tabs on how each team is progressing in its hunt for silverware.

Welcome to September, and to the final six weeks of the 2024 Canadian Premier League season.

Matchweek 21 saw plenty of drama and a handful of top-class goals, but we’re no closer to resolving a title race that looks like it’ll go right down to the wire.

On Friday night, Forge FC clung to their place atop the table by beating Pacific FC 2-0, thanks to a brace of screamers by Noah Jensen. Later that evening, Cavalry FC took a 2-0 lead on Valour FC thanks to two well-worked set-pieces — only for the Winnipeggers to respond with a pair of corner kick goals of their own, as that game wrapped up in a 2-2 draw.

Saturday night in the capital had over 7,000 fans observing a 1-0 win for Atlético Ottawa over Vancouver FC; Ilias Iliadis found the net with his second Olimpico of the month and that was all Atleti needed, although Ollie Bassett was also stymied from the penalty spot by VFC keeper Callum Irving.

Finally, the Labour Day classic in Nova Scotia saw the Halifax Wanderers take down York United 2-1, with Massimo Ferrin and Zach Fernandez putting the hosts on the scoreboard.

Although it was a weekend full of entertaining fixtures, for just the second time all year the table is unchanged this week:

Things are a little more spread out at the top than they were a couple of weeks ago, with Forge in particular taking off in the past few weeks. Pacific are still in touching distance of their B.C. rivals Vancouver for the last playoff spot despite a four-game losing streak, but they need to turn things around soon or they’ll be in danger of falling behind a resurgent Halifax Wanderers.

A huge shoutout this week is due to Noah Jensen, who had started just one of Forge’s last six games — and only seven times all year — but got the nod on Friday, and was trusted with the captain’s armband for the first time. He proved up to the standard, and then some; Jensen was the star of his side’s win over Pacific with two outstanding goals from outside the box.

Elsewhere in the footballing world, York United assistant coach Mauro Eustáquio got the call this weekend to join Jesse Marsch’s Canadian men’s national team staff for their two friendlies against the United States and Mexico next week. He’s earned the opportunity after developing his coaching chops in the CPL over the past few years, and now he’ll be working with his brother Stephen as Canada gear up for two important tests.

Meanwhile, Kwasi Poku made his debut for RWD Molenbeek after his CPL-record transfer to the Belgian side. He played 84 minutes on the right wing as his new team beat KAS Eupen, moving into second place in the Challenger Pro League as they vie for promotion this season.

Lastly, Canada’s journey at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup began on Saturday in Colombia, where they drew 3-3 with France in Group B action. Their next test is Tuesday night, when they take on Fiji, before wrapping up the group stage against Brazil on Friday.

Monday Reading

If the playoffs started today…

No need to update the graphic this week because, once again, the top five are unchanged. Are we starting to see teams settle into their positions, or could there be a few surprises on the way?

Awards Watch

There hasn’t been much movement in the Golden Boot race recently, but that competition remains close enough that really any of the five players within one goal of the top could run away with it.

The Player of the Year race feels wide open, though. Themi Antonoglou unseated Brian Wright this weekend for the most assists in the league with seven; don’t be surprised if he gets some attention come awards season — especially if he can help Valour push toward the playoffs.

As for Defender of the Year, a handful of players remain in the running. Amer Didic was very good for Atlético Ottawa on Saturday, and Daan Klomp is always excellent for Cavalry. Could it be the year of the fullback, though? Antonoglou, Fraser Aird and Daniel Parra all have serious claims to the accolade as well.

U-21 Minutes Update

Forge have now jumped ahead of Valour, thanks in part to Matteo Schiavoni’s first start, as well as lengthy contributions off the bench from Amadou Koné and Khadim Kane.

Halifax, meanwhile, have work to do; they’ve got six points to make up if they’re to get into the playoffs, but they also have over 900 U-21 minutes to collect. A return to form and fitness for Tiago Coimbra, however, could help accomplish both.

For the full player-by-player breakdown on the Jones Deslauriers | Navacord U-21 Minute Leaderboard, click here.

Here’s how all eight teams are progressing toward the 2,000-minute threshold:

Coming up next…

Friday, Sept. 6

Vancouver FC vs. York United FC (7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET)

Saturday, Sept. 7

Forge FC vs. Cavalry FC (7 p.m. ET/5 p.m. MT)
Pacific FC vs. Halifax Wanderers FC (7 p.m. PT/11 p.m. AT)

Monday, Sept. 9

Valour FC vs. Atlético Ottawa (7 p.m. CT/8 p.m. ET)

(Watch all games live on OneSoccer)

Photo of the Week

A well-captured tableau of Callum Irving’s superb penalty save on Ollie Bassett.