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Gatorade Team of the Week (Week 1)
2024-04-15
Gatorade Team of the Week News

The Gatorade Team of the Week for the first week of Canadian Premier League action in 2024, brought to you by Kristian Jack and Oliver Platt.

CPL 2024 Team of the Week, Week 1

Goalkeeper

Emil Gazdov (Pacific FC)

The only goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet during the opening weekend, 20-year-old Emil Gazdov had a strong start to the year against Halifax. He made a pair of saves, including a brilliant diving stop on Zachary Fernandez to preserve three points for the Tridents.

Defender 

Kris Twardek (Atlético Ottawa)

Twardek was exceptional in his CPL debut, scoring the winner for Atlético Ottawa on an outstandingly composed volley. Playing as a fullback, Twardek showed tireless fight as he won six of 11 duels, and a pair of tackles.

Thomas Meilleur-Giguère (Pacific FC)

The Tridents’ longest-serving player led an outstanding defensive performance at home, as Meilleur-Giguère put in a strong shift on Saturday. He made four clearances, and won three of four aerial duels to help Pacific keep a clean sheet.

Malik Owolabi-Belewu (Forge FC) 

The 21-year-old put in a dominant defensive performance against Cavalry on Saturday. He won ten of his 11 duels contested and made five interceptions and four tackles — with several key defensive interventions to thwart dangerous Cavalry attacks.

Paris Gee (Vancouver FC)

It was a storybook homecoming for Paris Gee, who in his first match with Vancouver FC scored the matchwinner on a long-distance effort in the second half. Gee also added an assist on Gabriel Bitar’s goal, and won six of nine duels.

 

Midfielders

Manny Aparicio (Atlético Ottawa)

Aparicio wasted absolutely no time endearing himself to Atlético Ottawa supporters with a man-of-the-match performance in their season opener on Saturday. The midfielder scored the equalizer, before sending in a beautiful chipped cross to set up Twardek’s winner.

Tristan Borges (Forge FC)

Borges caused Cavalry nightmares once again on Saturday, creating space for himself in the box in the 70th minute, before unleashing a low shot that beat Marco Carducci. Just six minutes later, he set up Béni Badibanga’s winner to give Forge a comeback win on opening day.

Ayman Sellouf (Pacific FC) 

Sellouf remains one of the most dynamic players in the Canadian Premier League to start 2024. He got his campaign off to a brilliant start by scoring the match-winner from the spot for Pacific on Saturday.

Gabriel Bitar (Vancouver FC)

After finishing the 2023 season as one of the most in-form players in the Canadian Premier League, Bitar picked up where he left off on Sunday. He picked up a goal and an assist against Valour, and could easily have had more with five shot attempts and three chances created.

Béni Badibanga (Forge FC)

Badibanga began his second CPL season with a bang, scoring the winner against Cavalry on Saturday. His game-breaking quality and confidence were on clear display throughout, as he attempted eight dribbles and made 18 passes in the final third.

 

Forwards

Alejandro Díaz (Vancouver FC)

The Vancouver striker’s brilliant movement caused issues for Valour throughout the match on Sunday. The 2022 CPL Golden Boot winner turned provider, picking up a pair of assists including a silky backheel to Moses Dyer to create the Vancouver opener.

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