The Gatorade Team of the Week for the fourteenth week of Canadian Premier League action in 2024, brought to you by Kristian Jack and OneSoccer’s Oliver Platt.
Goalkeeper
Nathan Ingham (Atlético Ottawa)
Ingham kept his third clean sheet of the season as Atlético Ottawa picked up a 3-0 road victory against Vancouver on Friday. He finished with three saves, including a brilliant reaction stop on a Rocco Romeo header early in the first half.
Nate Ingham what a SAVE 👏
He picks up the @AllstateCanada Save of the Match 🧤 #CanPL pic.twitter.com/mSfC5KJN0z
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) July 13, 2024
Defenders
Tyr Walker (Atlético Ottawa)
In just his second start of the season, Walker put in a stellar performance at the back. He won eight of 11 duels, made four tackles and looked incredibly assured on the ball, completing two dribbles.
Oswaldo León (York United)
The York central defender was quality on both sides of the ball for the Nine Stripes on Saturday in Calgary. He was a key to progressing the ball, creating three chances and making 13 passes in the final third. Defensively, the Mexican won seven of 11 duels contested.
Daniel Parra (Forge FC)
Parra brought key energy for Forge on Sunday, winning 10 of 15 duels and making two tackles. He also completed three dribbles, and played an important role in the winning goal, knocking the ball loose on a corner to the feet of Kwasi Poku.
Midfielders
Tristan Borges (Forge FC)
Borges recorded his fifth assist of the season on Sunday, which is tied with York United’s Brian Wright for the league lead. He was a threat for the Hamilton club throughout the match, creating three chances, completing three dribbles, and recording two shots.
Ollie Bassett (Atlético Ottawa)
Bassett pulled the strings in the centre of the park for Atlético Ottawa on Friday, playing a key role in their buildup play throughout the match. He created three chances, had six crosses and played 25 passes in the final third.
Alessandro Hojabrpour (Forge FC)
Hojabrpour was outstanding in the centre of the park for Forge on Sunday, completing 82 of 86 passes, 31 of which were played in the final third. Defensively, he also won possession a stunning ten times, and made three interceptions.
Shola Jimoh (York United)
The 16-year-old became the second youngest player in league history to score a goal when he scored the match-winner for York United against Cavalry FC on Saturday. He showed composure beyond his years in just under a half-an-hour off the bench, completing all seven of his attempted passes and winning two fouls.
The @VWcanada Moment of the Match in Calgary is the winning goal for @yorkutdfc, scored by 16-year-old Shola Jimoh! What a play from Brian Wright as well 🔥#CanPL I 📺 @onesoccer pic.twitter.com/iHgCrkZDLC
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) July 13, 2024
Forwards
Mo Babouli (York United)
Babouli remains one of the most dangerous players in the Canadian Premier League from deadball situations, opening the scoring from a stunning free kick on Saturday in Calgary. He also completed three dribbles, and was consistently dangerous for York in attack.
Mo Babouli gives @yorkutdfc the lead with a beautiful free kick 😍#CanPL I 📺 @onesoccer pic.twitter.com/FabS5LPp6H
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) July 13, 2024
Ballou Tabla (Atlético Ottawa)
Tabla opened the scoring for Atleti on Friday, showing a tremendous work rate to chase down a loose ball in the box. He also played a key role in Rubén del Campo’s goal with a pass into the box to the Swiss striker, and created three chances on the night.
Kwasi Poku (Forge FC)
Poku remains the hottest striker in the Canadian Premier League right now, scoring his fifth and sixth goals in his past five matches on Sunday in a 2-1 win over Pacific FC. His first goal, in particular, was a brilliant one-touch finish as he opened up his body to cushion the ball into the bottom corner.