Welcome to CanPL.ca, the number one source for in-depth coverage of the Canadian Premier League. As we approach the league’s fifth season, we’ve put together extensive previews for each of the eight clubs from across the country. The following is a collection of everything you need to know about the upcoming campaign.
The 2023 Canadian Premier League season kicks off on Saturday, April 15 with a tripleheader of matches, beginning with Atlético Ottawa versus Halifax Wanderers FC at 1 p.m. ET. All eight clubs will be in action on opening weekend, including expansion side Vancouver FC in an all-British Columbia clash with Pacific FC.
All four opening matches — and every other game in the CPL season — will be broadcast live on OneSoccer, as well as FuboTV and TELUS Optik TV channel 980.
What’s new for 2023?
A few things have changed ahead of the CPL’s fifth year. Most notably, the playoff structure: five teams will qualify for the postseason this year, in a tiered playoff system that awards increasing benefits to clubs who finish higher in the standings.
For more information on the new format, click here.
Also new this year: for the first time ever, the CPL will have two direct entrants to the Concacaf Champions League, which will debut in its new, expanded form in 2024. The CPL’s regular season champion — which will be officially recognized this year — and the playoff champion will both receive a spot in the continental tournament.
Finally, a new competitor has joined the mix. Expansion side Vancouver FC, playing out of Langley, B.C., will take to the pitch for the first time this year under head coach Afshin Ghotbi with a full squad of players, both familiar and new to the CPL.
Of course, each team — not just Vancouver — has made changes to its roster over the winter. To see the full squad breakdown, check out CanPL.ca’s roster tracker.
For more detailed club-by-club breakdowns, continue scrolling below to see our comprehensive coverage of each team competing in the 2023 season.
Pacific FC
The Vancouver Island-based Pacific enter 2023 looking to return to the playoffs again after falling short in the 2022 semifinals. They won the championship in 2021, so James Merriman and his side will be keen on returning to that level.
PACIFIC FC SEASON PREVIEW: CLICK HERE
CPL5x5: Pacific FC stats, storylines, key players & more
Vancouver FC
Vancouver FC will take to the pitch at Langley Events Centre for the first time ever this year, led by experienced coach Afshin Ghotbi. They’ll look to establish themselves both on and off the pitch in the B.C. Lower Mainland.
VANCOUVER FC SEASON PREVIEW: CLICK HERE
CPL5x5: Vancouver FC stats, storylines, key players & more
Cavalry FC
Cavalry FC have won more regular season games than any other CPL side, but they have yet to bring the North Star Shield back to Calgary. Tommy Wheeldon Jr.’s side fell to bitter rivals Forge in 2022, but they’re hoping to remedy that and lift silverware this time around.
CAVALRY FC SEASON PREVIEW: CLICK HERE
CPL5x5: Cavalry FC stats, storylines, key players & more
Valour FC
Over in Winnipeg, Phillip Dos Santos is tasked with leading Valour to the playoffs for the first time in club history. They’ve finished fifth two years in a row — which would get them in this year, but they’ll be aiming even higher in 2023.
VALOUR FC SEASON PREVIEW: CLICK HERE
CPL5x5: Valour FC stats, storylines, key players & more
Forge FC
Forge brought a championship back to Hamilton for a third time in four years after beating Atlético Ottawa in the CPL Final last October. This year, coach Bobby Smyrniotis will lead the Hammers in a quest to win not just the playoff title, but perhaps the regular season or Canadian Championship too — all of which offer a Concacaf Champions League spot.
FORGE FC SEASON PREVIEW: CLICK HERE
CPL5x5: Forge FC stats, storylines, key players & more
York United FC
York have lofty aspirations entering 2023 after finishing the 2022 campaign as one of the league’s hottest teams — although they finished just short of the postseason in sixth place. Martin Nash will have his sights set on a playoff berth in his second year as head coach.
YORK UNITED SEASON PREVIEW: CLICK HERE
CPL5x5: York United stats, storylines, key players & more
Atlético Ottawa
Atlético Ottawa were one of the best stories of 2022, going from bottom of the standings in 2021 to regular season champions. They went on to host the CPL Final at TD Place in front of 15,000 fans, but fell at the last hurdle to Forge. Reigning Coach of the Year Carlos González will hope they can take that extra step this time around.
ATLÉTICO OTTAWA SEASON PREVIEW: CLICK HERE
CPL5x5: Atlético Ottawa stats, storylines, key players & more
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Halifax Wanderers FC
The Wanderers haven’t been to the postseason since their CPL Final appearance at the Island Games tournament back in 2020. This year, though, they enter the season with a new head coach in Patrice Gheisar and a significantly revamped squad hoping to push Halifax up the table.