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Gatorade Team of the Week (Week 2)
2023-04-24
Gatorade Team of the Week News

The Gatorade Team of the Week for the second week of Canadian Premier League action in 2023, brought to you by Kristian Jack and OneSoccer’s Oliver Platt.

Gatorade Team of the Week – Week 2

Goalkeeper

Callum Irving (Vancouver FC) 

For the second consecutive week, Callum Irving is between the sticks in the Gatorade team of the week. This time, it comes after a winning effort against York United, with Irving making six saves — including an outstanding diving stop on Brian Wright.

Defenders 

Ibrahim Bakare (Vancouver FC) 

Bakare has been an early standout for Vancouver FC, and was excellent again at fullback against York on Saturday. Bakare won seven on his 12 duels and made two tackles during a solid defensive performance.

Diego Espejo (Atlético Ottawa) 

One of the best defenders in the Canadian Premier League was just that this weekend against Valour. Espejo had 12 clearances, had three tackles and won all three of his aerial duels.

Rocco Romeo (Vancouver FC) 

Romeo was a rock at the back for Vancouver as he helped them see out their first win in club history. The centre-back made eight clearances, five interceptions and won three headers on Saturday afternoon.

Matteo de Brienne (Valour FC) 

The 20-year-old has been adjusting well to his new role as a fullback, and had his best performance yet against Atlético Ottawa. He was good going forward, with two dribbles and two shot attempts, while also excelling in one-v-one defending, winning seven of his eight duals, and possession 16 times in the final third.

Midfielders

Diego Gutiérrez (Valour FC) 

Playing in a more advanced role this season, Gutiérrez has made the most of the new challenge. He scored his first-ever goal for Valour FC less than three minutes into the club’s home opener against Ottawa and created three other chances over the course of 90 minutes.

Sean Young (Pacific FC)

With Aparicio missing through injury, Young has become the focal point of Pacific’s midfield. It is a position in which he thrived again on Sunday, creating two chances, winning 10 of his 18 duals, plus possession nine times.

Ayman Sellouf (Pacific FC)

Sellouf looks to be an excellent signing for Pacific, as the young 21-year-old Dutch attacker created their goal in a 1-1 draw against Cavalry. He also had 10 touches in the box, three shot attempts, three chances created and a stunning six successful dribbles in a dynamic overall performance.

Gabriel Bitar (Vancouver FC)

Bitar pulled the strings in the final third for Vancouver FC on Saturday. The 24-year-old had created four chances and had had a team-leading 18 passes in the final third, also winning the penalty that led to Gael Sandoval’s match-winner.

Massimo Ferrin (HFX Wanderers)

Ferrin has had an excellent start to his Canadian Premier League career, and scored his first league goal for Halifax Wanderers on Saturday in a 1-1 draw with Forge. The League1 Ontario 2022 Player of the Year also had four shot attempts, and three successful dribbles, looking like the Wanderers’ main danger man so far this season.

 

Attackers 

Shaan Hundal (Vancouver FC)

Hundal had a history-making weekend for Vancouver, scoring the club’s first-ever goal in the sixth minute on Saturday against York. He could have easily had more, as the striker had four shot attempts and three big chances.

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