FC Edmonton became the final CPL club to return to training this week following a lengthy delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
All eight teams have now received the go-ahead from provincial and municipal health authorities and the league head office to return to training, beginning with individual or small-group workouts as players emerge from COVID-19 self-isolation practices.
Oh, and they’re more than happy to be back. FCE’s Amer Didic recounted an “a-ha” moment on the pitch while Atlético Ottawa’s Ben Fisk isn’t bothered by the four-to-a-field setup currently installed.
Here are some of the best photos from Week 1 of CPL teams being back on the training pitch.
RELATED READING: FC Edmonton’s Amer Didic on return to training: ‘Playing waiting game’ was painful
Keep your distance
Valour FC’s Daryl Fordyce can’t help but grin on his training return.
Wow, now that’s keeping your distance!
Yes, that’s Cavalry FC coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. offering his players encouragement from a golf cart. An upgrade from his usual mode of transportation at Spruce Meadows?
Coach Kah reports for duty
Pacific FC head coach Pa-Modou Kah arrives at the Island Training Centre for Day 1.
A first look at Ijah Halley
York9 FC’s Ijah Halley, who was signed by the club in April, is shown in Nines’ green for the first time.
Back at Tim Hortons Field
Forge FC’s Anthony Novak partakes in a session at Tim Hortons Field.
That mid-summer sun feeling
Cavalry FC players on the pitch at Spruce Meadows.
Atlético Ottawa’s safe pair of hands
Ricky Gomes is photographed in Atlético Ottawa gear for the first time.
‘Can’t do this in self-isolation’
Ottawa’s Ben Fisk puts his laces through the ball during a session.
A historic return to the pitch
HFX Wanderers were the first group cleared for a return to training. Forward Akeem Garcia (right) was one of the first CPLers to make it back.