The Gatorade Team of the Week for the second week of Canadian Premier League action in 2024, brought to you by Kristian Jack and Oliver Platt.
Goalkeeper
Chris Kalongo (Forge FC)
The 22-year-old kept his first clean sheet of the season during an excellent performance against York United in the 905 Derby. He made four saves, including an early stop on Clément Bayiha that prevented Forge from conceding the opening goal.
The @AllstateCanada Save of the Match goes to @ForgeFCHamilton goalkeeper Chris Kalongo, who also picked up his first clean sheet of the season 🧤#CanPL I 📺 @onesoccer pic.twitter.com/RXGqiNNPRF
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) April 21, 2024
Defenders
Kris Twardek (Atlético Ottawa)
The local boy has adapted incredibly well to his role as a fullback. Twardek won all six of his duels on Saturday against Cavalry, won two tackles and made five clearances — making a number of last-second interventions to thwart dangerous Cavalry attacks.
Amer Didić (Atlético Ottawa)
As he did often last season, Didić opened his account for Atlético Ottawa with a brilliant header off a corner kick. Didić also completed the most passes of any Ottawa player on Saturday, completing 49 of 55 attempted.
That indeed did go right in the net! 😆🪄
Amer Didić with a strong header to put Atlético Ottawa 1-0 up against Cavalry FC 🔥#CanPL
📺: @onesoccer pic.twitter.com/Zrhkuai5Jx
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) April 20, 2024
Rocco Romeo (Vancouver FC)
Romeo scored his first goal as a Vancouver FC player on Thursday, which stood as the winner in a 2-0 victory over Halifax Wanderers. He hardly put a foot wrong otherwise, completing 52 of 59 passes and making five clearances.
Daniel Parra (Forge FC)
Parra’s class on the ball was evident on Sunday night, as he earned an assist on Forge’s first goal and played a key part in the buildup to the second. He created three chances and made four tackles as well and is looking like an excellent addition for Forge this season.
Midfielders
David Choinière (Forge FC)
Choinière was outstanding against York on Sunday. He opened the scoring with a perfectly taken swivelling strike across the goal, before completing his brace in the second half with more good offensive awareness. Choinière was a threat throughout the match, with 10 touches in the York United box.
David Choinière gives @ForgeFCHamilton the lead late in the first half with perfectly-placed shot 🎯#CanPL I 📺 @onesoccer pic.twitter.com/cSGmU8zY12
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) April 21, 2024
Renan Garcia (Vancouver FC)
The 37-year-old was sensational in the middle of the park against Halifax Wanderers. He completed a tidy 46 of 48 passes, and was crucial in winning the ball back for the Eagles, doing so seven times — winning three tackles and making a pair of interceptions.
Sean Young (Pacific FC)
Young celebrated his 100th appearance in a Pacific FC shirt with a second-half goal as the Tridents defeated Valour 2-0. He also won possession eight times for Pacific on Friday night.
Tristan Borges (Forge FC)
Borges pulled the strings for Forge on Sunday, picking up a pair of assists. He created six chances, showing his range of passing and technical ability as Forge could have had even more than the three goals they scored against York United.
Forwards
Reon Moore (Pacific FC)
Moore looks like he can be a real difference-maker in attack for Pacific this season. He set up Pacific’s opening goal with a great ball across the box to Josh Heard, one of three chances he created on Friday night. He also had three shot attempts as a threat throughout the 90 minutes.
Moses Dyer (Vancouver FC)
Creating a lethal partnership with Alejandro Díaz, Moses Dyer has been exceptional in his return to the Canadian Premier League. He created the opener for Díaz’s goal with an outstanding individual effort after dispossessing Dan Nimick and put in a brilliant shift otherwise, winning all eight of his duels.