The Gatorade Team of the Week for the twelfth week of Canadian Premier League action in 2023, brought to you by Oliver Platt and Kristian Jack.
Goalkeeper
Marco Carducci (Cavalry FC)
Carducci was at his best on the road in Winnipeg on Saturday, making five stops in a shutout victory over Valour. That included a stunning goal-line save on Jared Ulloa. It was Carducci’s second clean sheet of the season.
The @AllstateCanada Save of the Match goes to Marco Carducci of @CPLCavalryFC for an unbelievable block that would've given @ValourFootball the equalizing goal 🧤 pic.twitter.com/XM0wcp2pV4
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) July 1, 2023
Defenders
Miguel Acosta (Atlético Ottawa)
Returning to his natural position as a fullback, Acosta was outstanding against Pacific on Friday night. The Spaniard won seven of nine duels and made six tackles to help Atleti earn a 2-2 draw on the road with the league leaders.
Daniel Nimick (Halifax Wanderers)
Nimick scored his first goal from the penalty spot in the tenth minute of stoppage time to give Halifax a 2-1 home win over Forge. The 22-year-old central defender also set up Halifax’s opener with an outstanding cross-field switch and made eight clearances.
Daan Klomp (Cavalry FC)
Klomp’s pinpoint distribution from the back has been a key weapon in the Cavalry attack this season, and was so again on their opening goal on Saturday. Defensively, Klomp won three tackles, made four clearances and had an interception as Cavalry kept their first road clean sheet of the season.
Paris Gee (York United)
Returning to his home province, Gee put in an outstanding performance in front of friends and family on Sunday against Vancouver. The York fullback created three chances, had five crosses, completed two dribbles, and won possession seven times.
Midfielders
Ollie Bassett (Atlético Ottawa)
Bassett’s brilliant counter-attacking move in the 19th minute opened the scoring for Ottawa as he played in Sam Salter after a lung-busting transitional run. He would then equalize in the second half from the penalty spot. Make that five goals and two assists on the season for the 2022 CPL Player of the Year.
Kyle Bekker (Forge FC)
Forge’s captain nearly earned his side a late point on the road in Halifax with a brilliant long-range strike in the 88th minute. He was the tempo-setter for his side throughout the match as they fought to get an equalizer, completing three dribbles, and 44 of his 53 passes.
GOAL!
Kyle Bekker secures his second #CanPL goal of the season and equalizes the game for @ForgeFCHamilton against @HFXWanderersFC shortly before stoppage time!
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) July 1, 2023
Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé (York United)
A perfectly weighted ball over the top in the fourth minute from the Québec midfielder allowed Oussama Alou to open the scoring for York on Sunday. Gagnon-Laparé also completed 61 of 71 attempted passes and won three tackles.
Forwards
Clément Bayiha (York United)
Bayiha was a constant threat down the right flank for York on Sunday, creating four chances and completing six dribbles. He also made eight touches in the Vancouver box and was unlucky not to get himself on the scoresheet.
Massimo Ferrin (Halifax Wanderers)
Just like he did last time Halifax met Forge, Ferrin opened the scoring with an outstanding long-range effort. It came on one of four shot attempts, as the Halifax attacker was constantly threatening especially in the opening half, also completing four dribbles as his directness and creativity was a constant thorn in the Forge backline’s side.
GOAL! 🚨
Massimo Ferrin really said bangers only. 😤 @HFXWanderersFC take the lead against @ForgeFCHamilton #CanPL | @onesoccer
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) June 30, 2023
Ayman Sellouf (Pacific FC)
Sellouf put on a clinic from corner kicks against Ottawa on Friday, setting up Thomas Meilleur-Giguère right before halftime before scoring an Olimpico early in the second half. The Dutch attacker now has four goals and four assists in his debut CPL season and his fifth appearance in the CPL Team of the Week.