The Gatorade Team of the Week for the twenty-fifth week of Canadian Premier League action in 2022, brought to you by Kristian Jack and Charlie O’Connor-Clarke.
Goalkeeper
Darlington Murasiranwa (FC Edmonton)
After making several huge stops in an impressive 1-1 draw with Forge FC, Darlington Murasiranwa makes the Team of the Week. He made four saves in total, none bigger than a diving stop to deny a free kick from Tristan Borges in the first half as the Eddies picked up a big point at home.
Defenders
Tass Mourdoukoutas (York United)
With their season on the line, York United’s Tass Mourdoukoutas made a team-high four clearances, completed 86% of his passes, and added an interception in a crucial win for the Nine Stripes. While York have since been officially eliminated from playoff contention, York did their best to control their own destiny, and Mourdoukoutas and the backline were a big part of it.
Diego Espejo (Atlético Ottawa)
Having a very good season in the nation’s capital, Diego Espejo was a key contributor again on Saturday for Atlético Ottawa. He made nine clearances in that match, four more than anyone else on the pitch, and completed 81% of his passes as they picked up a huge win over Cavalry.
Chrisnovic N’sa (York United)
Another member of York United’s backline to make the Team of the Week, Chrisnovic N’sa had his hands full up against one of the league’s top young attackers in Valour’s Matteo de Brienne. It was N’sa who would be the one to find the scoresheet, however, as it was his long-range shot that curled into the top corner of Rayane Yesli’s goal for the match-winner.
? @chrisno_66 only scores screamers!
A brilliant effort from the @yorkutdfc right back sees The Nine Stripes take the lead! ?#CanPL | ? @onesoccerpic.twitter.com/BWA7o8Empx
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) September 24, 2022
Midfielders
Gianni Dos Santos (Pacific FC)
Pacific FC’s Gianni Dos Santos has stepped up in big moments for his club a few times this season, and he did so again on Tuesday night in Halifax. Desperate for a win to put themselves back into a playoff spot after a few weeks without victory, Dos Santos set up the winning goal, a cross into the penalty area that Djenairo Daniels collected and fired into the bottom right corner of the goal.
Ollie Bassett (Atlético Ottawa)
A mainstay in the Team of the Week, Ollie Bassett again makes it into the best XI after being one of Atlético Ottawa’s main attacking threats in their win over Cavalry FC, clinching them a playoff spot. Bassett assisted the winning goal, a tidy layoff for Brian Wright to smash the ball home, and was unlucky not to have a few more assists, having created three chances in total for his teammates.
Cedric Toussaint (Pacific FC)
Tridents midfielder Cedric Toussaint hardly put a foot wrong in his team’s 2-0 win over HFX Wanderers on Tuesday night. The former York United man completed 30 of 32 attempted passes (94%), won a team-high six duels, and led his team in tackles won (4) and interceptions (3). It was a strong all-around performance from one of the league’s best youngsters.
CJ Smith (FC Edmonton)
CJ Smith rescued a point for FC Edmonton at home on Sunday afternoon, as the Eddies picked up an impressive point against Forge FC. Smith beat Triston Henry with a low shot into the bottom left corner, tying the match at 1-1. He was also a tireless runner when he was on the pitch, helping to create several opportunities for him and his teammates.
It is all tied up in Edmonton!
Shortly after Forge open the scoring, @FCEdmontonNow’s CJ Smith ties the match! #CanPL | ?: @onesoccer
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) September 25, 2022
Manny Aparicio (Pacific FC)
In his return to the pitch after a four-match suspension, Manny Aparicio ran the show at Wanderers Grounds on Tuesday night. The Pacific FC midfielder contributed an assist on the second goal for The Tridents, a brilliant low pass across the penalty area that Josh Heard was able to redirect past Kieran Baskett in a crucial victory for James Merriman’s side.
Forwards
Ballou Tabla (Atlético Ottawa)
The Goal of the Season winner was surely found in Calgary this weekend, as Atlético Ottawa’s Ballou Tabla scored an overhead kick from outside the penalty area against Cavalry FC. It was the first of three goals scored by Ottleti on the afternoon, and an audacious effort that will be remembered for a long time. Tabla also played a big role in the winner for his side, and has also been named the CPL’s Player of the Week this week.
Another week, another @atletiOttawa screamer ✅
Here are all the angles of Ballou Tabla's bicycle kick, with commentary from @adamkjenkins and @MattCullenLive ?️#CanPL I ? @onesoccer pic.twitter.com/yHdERZFdsU
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) September 25, 2022
Mo Babouli (York United)
York United star Mo Babouli has arguably been the best player in the CPL since joining York United midseason, and it’s no surprise to see him in the Team of the Week once again. Babouli fired a shot into the top right corner of Valour’s net to tie their match on Friday up at 1-1, and provided an assist on Luis Lawrie-Lattanzio’s third as well.