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.

For the second straight week, there’s a new leader atop the Canadian Premier League table on Monday. Forge FC emerged from the pack in matchweek 19 thanks to a perfect two-game week for them, but we’ve got an intense four-way title race on our hands here.

Forge climbed into first with a pair of wins, first beating Halifax Wanderers 2-0 on Wednesday at home before defeating Vancouver FC 2-1 on Sunday thanks to a very late winner courtesy of Matteo Schiavoni — good timing for his first professional goal.

Elsewhere this weekend, Cavalry FC kept pace near the top as Fraser Aird scored the winner in a 2-1 triumph at York United, which briefly put them one point off first before Forge won again.

Former leaders Atlético Ottawa, meanwhile, trounced Pacific FC, as a trio of goals early in the first half were more than enough to see off the Tridents at Starlight Stadium. Finally, Valour FC made some progress in their own hunt for a playoff spot, as they handed Halifax a third straight loss and drew within three points of fifth place.

There was plenty of movement over the course of the weekend, but here’s how the table shakes out now that the dust has cleared:

Every game this weekend showed just how crucial it is for teams to get all three points every time; nobody would’ve been happy with a draw, and that showed in how teams like York United, Forge and Vancouver all pushed for one more goal toward the end — though only Forge found one.

Speaking of Forge, a major positive in Hamilton is that they won these two games without the services of red-hot striker Kwasi Poku, with the 21-year-old being held out of the lineup amid transfer interest. If he does move on soon, they’ll obviously need contributions from Jordan Hamilton and Terran Campbell at the centre-forward position, and Bobby Smyrniotis will be happy to see Hamilton with a goal and an assist this week.

Meanwhile, York United gave a CPL debut to Mexican youngster Santiago Márquez, who helped bolster their midfield. If he can be as impactful as the club’s other recent Mexican loanee Jorge Guzmán, he’ll be very useful in the middle of the park. It’s unclear how exactly Benjamín Mora might use him or just what kind of player he is, but being the son of former Barcelona star Rafael Márquez he’s surely got some strong defensive instincts.

Most CPL teams now have fewer than 10 games left to play, but everything to play for; nobody is out of it yet, although we’re starting to see some separation between four sides fighting for the CPL Shield and four others battling for the final playoff spot.

Everything could look a little different after this week, though — especially with a fascinating 905 Derby clash near the top of the table between York United and Forge this Friday, which could set the tone for matchweek 20.

Monday Reading

If the playoffs started today…

The road to the North Star Cup continues to run through Ontario, as the three sides from the province still make up the top three — albeit in a different order to last week.

Not only are Forge, Atlético Ottawa, York United and Cavalry fighting for the regular season title. All of those sides would love to host a Final — which means they’d have to come in the top two. And if not that, then they’ll all want to avoid the midweek play-in game against fifth place.

U-21 minutes watch

Vancouver FC made a big jump this week, thanks largely to another start for James Cameron, plus an appearance off the bench for Grady McDonnell.

Pacific remained static as Emil Gazdov got the afternoon off, but they remain out in front. Halifax Wanderers also made up some significant ground with back-to-back starts for Jefferson Alphonse, plus 90 minutes for Aiden Rushenas in goal on Wednesday against Forge.

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, Aug. 23

York United FC vs. Forge FC (8 p.m. ET)

Saturday, Aug. 24

Halifax Wanderers FC vs. Atlético Ottawa (3 p.m. AT/2 p.m. ET)
Cavalry FC vs. Pacific FC (3 p.m. MT/2 p.m. PT)

Sunday, Aug. 25

Valour FC vs. Vancouver FC (2 p.m. CT/12 p.m. PT)

(Watch all games live on OneSoccer)

Photo of the Week

Looks like Dario Zanatta and Dani Morer had a little disagreement over the ball on Saturday. I wonder who ended up with it?