Less than two months remain in the CPL regular season, and still it’s impossible to tell which five teams, and in which order, will be bound for the postseason — and which one of them will be crowned regular season champions. After Week 18’s results, Pacific FC remain in first place — but only just. Six points (two wins) are all that separate the league leaders from sixth-place York United, who sit outside the playoff picture right now. 
Valour FC kept themselves alive in the race with their dramatic comeback win over Cavalry FC on Friday night, but they didn’t get any favours from the rest of the league. An emphatic victory for Halifax Wanderers over Vancouver FC on Saturday put them briefly into fourth place, only for Atlético Ottawa to take it back on Sunday with their win at Pacific FC. Forge FC and York United also both stayed in the mix, but shared points from a feisty 3-3 draw mean both sides were somewhat stagnant; Forge remain two points back of the top but technically in third (on goal differential), while the Nine Stripes are, currently, the odd ones out in sixth place, two points behind the final playoff spot. Don’t forget: with this year’s new five-team playoff format, every single position in the top five comes with different benefits, and a slightly different path to the CPL Final. Only the top four will host matches, and only the top two will have the luxury of a second chance to qualify for the Final after their first direct qualification match. Also, whoever finishes the regular season (on Oct. 7) atop the table will, of course, be recognized as the CPL’s regular season champions, and will receive one of the league’s two entries into next year’s Concacaf Champions Cup. Atlético Ottawa won the crown in 2022; who will it be this time?
Written by:Charlie O'Connor Clarke