The Gatorade Team of the Week for the twenty-fourth week of Canadian Premier League action in 2023, brought to you by Kristian Jack and Oliver Platt.
Goalkeeper
Marco Carducci (Cavalry FC)
On the day before his 27th birthday, Carducci made four saves to keep his seventh clean sheet of the season. That included an outstanding point-blank stop on Kévin Santos.
Marco Carducci of @CPLCavalryFC picks up the @AllstateCanada Save of the Match for this point-blank stop 🧤#CanPL I 📺 @onesoccer pic.twitter.com/Z853bc6m2Q
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) September 23, 2023
Defenders
Rezart Rama (Forge FC)
Rama scored his first Canadian Premier League goal on a brilliant off-ball run and header to equalize early against Pacific FC. Playing as both a wingback and central defender on Saturday, he was immense in both roles, he won the ball back seven times and made a pair of tackles as he helped Forge to see out a crucial result.
The Hammers respond IMMEDIATELY!
What a crazy start to this match, as @ForgeFCHamilton equalize through Rezart Rama 🔨#CanPL I 📺 @onesoccer pic.twitter.com/qkIArLUzl2
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) September 23, 2023
Klaidi Cela (Valour FC)
Cela was tremendous as Valour held a clean sheet in the nation’s capital. He completed a tidy 86.8 per cent of his passes and made an outstanding nine clearances as his side stunned Atlético Ottawa.
Bradley Kamdem (Cavalry FC)
The Cavalry fullback was key to the regular season champions keeping a clean sheet at York Lions Stadium with a tireless effort. He won possesion six times, including twice in the final third and completed 28 of 34 passes.
Midfielders
Gabriel Bitar (Vancouver FC)
Bitar scored his fifth goal of the season to equalize for Vancouver FC who have been a real story down the stretch here in the CPL, with the 25-year-old playing a big part in that. He completed two dribbles, and won two fouls as a consistent threat in transition.
We're tied up in Langley!
Gaby Bitar scores another big goal for @vanfootballclub to make it 1-1 🦅#CanPL I 📺 @onesoccer pic.twitter.com/G5mDyrXiEP
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) September 23, 2023
Elliot Simmons (Vancouver FC)
Simmons has been an incredibly study presence in the middle of the park for Vancouver FC this season, and Saturday against Halifax was one of his most outstanding performances. He assisted on Bitar’s goal, one of three chances created, and won possesion eight times including twice in the final third.
Marcello Polisi (Valour FC)
Polisi ran the show in the middle of the park for Valour on Sunday, making a team-high 76 touches and completing 50 of his 61 attempted passes. He also won four tackles and made three clearances during a quality performance on both sides of the ball.
Kwasi Poku (Forge FC)
Poku was outstanding down the left flank on Saturday night for Forge as he played a big part in both of the first two goals for the Hamilton side — assisting on the first after winning the ball back in the attacking third and playing the crucial cross that led to the second. Poku finished with two successful dribbles, on five attempted and won five of nine duels.
Forwards
Sergio Camargo (Cavalry FC)
Camargo scored his fifth goal of the season, which stood as the match-winner at York Lions Stadium on Saturday afternoon. He also won possession back seven times, and created a chance.
Walter Ponce (Valour FC)
Ponce made a big impact off the bench for Valour on Sunday, scoring in the 90+4′ and handing Atlético Ottawa a stunning fourth loss in the past five games from their opponent scoring in stoppage time.
Ponce at the death 🤯@ValourFootball stun @atletiOttawa in Atleti’s final home match of the season with a late winner!
📺: @onesoccer
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) September 24, 2023
Woobens Pacius (Forge FC)
Here comes Pacius in the league’s Golden Boot race as he scored a crucial goal which stood as the match-winner in Forge’s 3-1 victory over Pacific on Saturday night. He now has nine on the season, trailing league leader Ollie Bassett who has 11.