The Gatorade Team of the Week for the 20th week of the Canadian Premier League action in 2021, brought to you by Kristian Jack and OneSoccer’s Oliver Platt.
Goalkeeper
Triston Henry (Forge FC)
Forge’s ever-present goalkeeper had his handsful at the back in the 905 Derby, making four stops on York United for a 2-1 win – none sweeter than a lunging, finger-tipped stop on Alvaro Rivero’s long-range effort in the first half. That’s enough to make this week’s Gatorade Team of the Week.
Defenders
Daan Klomp (Cavaly FC)
Guess who? Daan Klomp once again returns to the match week’s top XI after holding strong to keep a clean sheet against Pacific FC at Spruce Meadows Sunday night. The Dutchman was a handful in the right-side of defence, keeping PFC’s attack nullified and propping up Mo Farsi up the pitch with his team-high 79 touches and 13 duels.
Karifa Yao (Cavalry FC)
Klomp’s oft teammate both on the field and in these TOTW listings, Karifa Yao was stellar as well Sunday, posting four clearances and winning possession five times in defence.
Garven Metusala (Forge FC)
An underrated part of Forge FC’s “Big Orange Machine” this season, young defender Garven Metusala gets the nod after leading his team from the back – and topping almost every non-attacking stat category – to boot. The 21-year-old completed 63-of-69 passes while collecting four tackles and two clearances.
Midfielders
Mo Farsi (Cavalry FC)
The Cavs’ dynamic wide man was at the top of his game on Sunday against Pacific, running miles up and down the right flank. He created the goal that made the difference with an excellent pass into Mason, and he did a lot of defensive work in the press, making five tackles and winning possession 10 times (both team-highs).
Elimane Cisse (Forge FC FC)
Forge FC’s jack of all trades is a master of, well, all of them – and he proved it again Saturday against York United. Cisse, back on the right side of defence was tireless again in this match, making some good tackles and also helping drive the attack forward. His solo effort leading to the winning goal was spectacular, darting up the right-wing and giving David Choiniere a quality chance.
Adam Najem (FC Edmonton)
FC Edmonton’s pace-setter in midfield was canny as ever Saturday and was a big part of FCE’s success in the early goings of the match, moving the ball well and creating chances. The Afghanistani national team member finished the 90 with a match-high six tackles.
Moses Dyer (Valour FC)
Too little too late or one of the greatest single-match performances in Valour history? Winnipeg was not only 10 minutes away from being eliminated from the playoffs… But by a three-goal margin before Moses Dyer scored twice and assisted on Daryl Fordyce’s epic equalizer through sheer will and determination. The New Zealand international was a man possessed all match, snatching at balls out of position and, as we saw, fought to the bitter end to finish the season with nine goals – six of which in the season’s final month – and four assists.
Isaiah Johnston (York United)
York United’s canny midfield operator thrived in the middle of the park Saturday at York Lions, pushing play forward and remaining a sturdy option in defence. Abzi thrived alongside Johnston, who made a match-high 29 passes in the opposing half.
Diyaeddine Abzi (York United)
While Abzi will have left York Lions Stadium Saturday ruing missed chances, you can’t deny the rangy left winger was the Nine Stripes best player on the day – starting with a brilliant individual goal that saw a burst of speed and good body position afford Abzi the slimmest chance… Which he converted beautifully. Abzi led the match in shots (three) and key passes (four).
Forwards
Joe Mason (Cavalry FC)
Cavalry’s English centre-forward found breakthrough after breakthrough in Pacific’s backline (called offside four times, by the way), relying on a neat touch or two to finish the job… Which is what we got on the 30-year-old’s special marker on Sunday. Mason smartly took Mo Farsi’s ball and slashed it home for his sixth goal of the year.