The Gatorade Team of the Week for the fifteenth week of Canadian Premier League action in 2022, brought to you by Kristian Jack and OneSoccer’s Oliver Platt.

Goalkeeper

Niko Giantsopoulos (York United)

The York keeper rebounded from a tough home showing against Pacific by delivering an exceptional performance on Tuesday night against Cavalry FC. Giantsopoulos made five saves at Spruce Meadows to help his side preserve a very difficult clean sheet away from home in a 1-0 win.

Defenders 

Kunle Dada-Luke (Pacific FC)

Dada-Luke was a massive factor in Pacific’s 4-2 win over York on Friday night, assisting the third goal with an excellent run up the right flank. Dada-Luke’s pace helped his side move quickly into York’s attacking third, and it paid off multiple times with his cutback passes into the box.

Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson (Forge FC)

The Swede has been one of Forge’s most reliable soldiers this season, and he was excellent once again at centre-back on Tuesday against Edmonton. Achinioti-Jönsson led his side with 105 touches in that game and made a staggering 93 passes (with 98% accuracy, missing just two all night). He also won six duels and two tackles, doing a very good job of stifling the Eddies’ attack and triggering attacking moves.

Dominick Zator (York United)

Zator was very good in both of York’s previous games, despite his side conceding four against Pacific. He was a force in the penalty area on Tuesday, clearing most of Cavalry’s set-piece attempts with his dominant aerial presence, and he prevented what looked to be a sure goal for Jean-Aniel Assi with a timely last-ditch tackle.

Bradley Vliet (Cavalry FC)

Vliet has been remarkable for Cavalry in recent weeks, but perhaps most notably in their past two games against Halifax and York. He was defensively sound in both games, but he was also a huge part of his side’s attacking play, driving up the left touchline and playing a handful of inch-perfect crosses into the box.

Midfielder

Ali Musse (Cavalry FC)

Musse has played a number of different roles well for Cavalry this year, but he was particularly good in the past two games, especially the 3-0 win over the Wanderers. He scored a pair of goals in that game, turning his six touches in the penalty area into five shots, which is a mark of his efficiency and ability to create dangerous scoring opportunities for himself.

Kyle Bekker (Forge FC)

The Forge skipper was excellent as usual for his side in Tuesday’s 5-1 win over FC Edmonton. He grabbed headlines with his outstanding Olimpico goal from the corner flag, but his general set-piece delivery was on point all night — as was his creative passing through midfield, helping break down a stingy low block.

Isaiah Johnston (York United)

Johnston had two assists on Friday against Pacific, including one dazzling solo run that set up Osaze De Rosario’s goal in the second half. He played in a free attacking midfield role, which gave him the license to drift upfield and join York’s build-up play. On Tuesday against Cavalry, Johnston played a slightly deeper position and did a lot of work on both sides of the ball, demonstrating his versatility and value to his team as a talented young player.

Gianni Dos Santos (Pacific FC)

Dos Santos has thrived in recent games for Pacific, and he was rewarded on Friday with a goal. He’s benefited immensely from Pacific’s shift to a four-man attack, having looked very dangerous on the wing in all of his side’s recent contests. Dos Santos had four shots and created three chances against York in a very positive outing.

Forward

Alejandro Díaz (Pacific FC)

The first of two hat-trick heroes this week, Diaz was exceptional at York Lions Stadium. He scored three to take a commanding lead in the CPL’s golden boot race, finishing his chances well and finding pockets of space for his teammates to pass to. Diaz continued to prove himself as one of the league’s most lethal goalscorers, having capitalized on so many of Pacific’s attacks this season.

Woobens Pacius (Forge FC)

Pacius scored the second hat-trick of the week, with two exceptional finishes as well as a well-taken penalty against FC Edmonton. The Forge striker displayed confidence and good instinct by scoring the way he did, taking down passes with good touches and not hesitating to shoot. Pacius continues to make a name for himself in Hamilton, now sitting joint-second in the club’s all-time scoring chart.