The Gatorade Team of the Week for the eleventh week of Canadian Premier League action in 2024, brought to you by Kristian Jack and OneSoccer’s Oliver Platt.
Goalkeeper
Yann Fillion (Halifax Wanderers)
In just the second clean sheet of the season for the Halifax Wanderers, Fillion was outstanding. He made three saves and two clearances, including a crucial stop on Vancouver FC’s Gaby Bitar in the second half on Sunday.
Yann Fillion of @HFXWanderersFC picks up the @AllstateCanada Save of the Match for this stop 🧤#CanPL I 📺 @onesoccer pic.twitter.com/55UGSEFngQ
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) June 24, 2024
Defenders
Dan Nimick (Halifax Wanderers)
In his return from injury, Nimick came off the bench in the 25th minute and was outstanding for the Wanderers. He scored his first two goals of the 2024 CPL regular season, from a header and the penalty spot respectively, giving the Wanderers the assurance they needed to cruise to their first victory of the season.
It's 3-0 for @HFXWanderersFC in Langley!
Dan Nimick extends the lead with a great header ⚓#CanPL I 📺 @onesoccer pic.twitter.com/19fshRh2Kq
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) June 24, 2024
Elijah Adekugbe (York United)
Adekugbe has settled brilliantly into a more defensive role under Benjamín Mora, and once again hardly put a foot wrong against Pacific midweek. He completed 52 of 56 passes while making a pair of interceptions and winning possession five times overall.
Tom Field (Cavalry FC)
Field put in an immense defensive shift for the Cavs on Friday night against Atlético Ottawa. He won seven of eight duels, including all three he contested aerially, and possession eight times.
Midfielders
Alberto Zapater (Atlético Ottawa)
Zapater’s offensive renaissance has been a very welcome addition to an already lethal Atlético Ottawa attack. He headed home his third of the season on Friday in a 1-1 draw with Cavalry, and was immense overall, completing 44 of 48 passes and winning possession seven times.
Alberto Zapater's Leveller picks up the @VWcanada Moment of the Match 👏 #CanPL | 📺 OneSoccer pic.twitter.com/H322aooYdy
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) June 22, 2024
Lorenzo Callegari (Halifax Wanderers)
It was a vintage Callegari performance in the centre of the park against Vancouver FC on Sunday. He won 11 of 14 duels, made a stunning seven successful tackles and completed 51 of 58 passes.
Josué Martínez (York United)
The York midfielder had his best game since joining the club, setting up Brian Wright’s opener with some clever play in the Pacific box. He created two chances, and completed 38 of 42 passes — 15 of which were played in the final third while winning five of seven duels.
Kyle Bekker (Forge FC)
Bekker was outstanding in pulling the strings in the final third against Valour on Sunday. He set up Kwasi Poku for Forge’s opener with a lovely slipped pass, and created two chances on four total crosses and 20 attempted passes in the final third.
Forwards
Ryan Telfer (Halifax Wanderers)
A brace from Ryan Telfer on Sunday ignited Halifax’s first win of the season. The Trinidad and Tobago international also completed three dribbles and had three shots on target as he led the line for Halifax brilliantly.
Kwasi Poku (Forge FC)
Poku scored a brilliant first-half brace as Forge defeated Valour FC 2-1 at home on Sunday. That included a stunning chipped effort for the match-winner. He also created three chances as he held up the ball outstandingly, completing 14 of 16 passes attempted.
Bar down from the Bramptonian 🔥
Kwasi Poku doubles @ForgeFCHamilton's lead with a chipped shot!#CanPL I 📺 @onesoccer pic.twitter.com/cdZwesgvk1
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) June 23, 2024
Brian Wright (York United)
Wright added another goal to his league-leading tally with his seventh of the season to open the scoring against Pacific FC this past Wednesday. He also had an assist on Mo Babouli’s goal, which has him tied with Forge’s Tristan Borges for the league lead in that category as well.