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Gatorade Team of the Week (Week 4)

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

CPL Team of the Week 2023 – Week Four

Goalkeeper

Triston Henry (Forge FC)

In a weekend of solid goalkeeping performances in the Canadian Premier League, Henry’s stood above the rest. The Forge keeper made a couple of fantastic saves to preserve a win and a clean sheet for the Hamilton side at York Lions Stadium on Friday, including a stunning point-blank save on an Osaze De Rosario header.

Defenders 

Ibrahim Bakare (Vancouver FC) 

Bakare stole the show in Vancouver’s first-ever home opener, highlighted by some tenacious defending after the hosts dropped down to 10 men early. He completed all four of his dribbles, won a stunning 16 duels, six tackles and made 8 clearances during an all-action performance in which he also led all Vancouver players in touches with 62.  He also delivered a must-watch man-of-the-match interview afterward.

Amer Didić (Pacific FC) 

Much will be made of the Pacific FC attack, and rightly so, after a dominant effort on Saturday, but their backline was solid as well. That was led by Didić, who won all three of his aerial duels, had three interceptions and four clearances. Offence was the name of the game for Pacific on Saturday, however, as Didić got in on the scoring as well, tapping in an Ayman Sellouf corner kick.

Georges Mukumbilwa (Pacific FC) 

The Pacific fullback had the unenviable task of defending Ottawa’s multiple right-sided wide threats throughout the match but did an excellent job of limiting their opportunities. He won eight of 11 duels, plus possession nine times and had two successful dribbles.

Midfielders 

Tristan Borges (Forge FC) 

Borges was a creative force for Forge against York on Friday, with four shots on target, two successful dribbles, 22 passes in the final third and five chances created.

Dante Campbell (Valour FC) 

Campbell has been an absolute rock in midfield for Valour so far this season, and Saturday afternoon against Halifax was no different. He made four tackles, and three interceptions and was fouled a stunning six times and he showed both his incredible work rate and reading of the game.

Manny Aparicio (Pacific FC) 

It took Aparicio just six minutes to make his presence felt in his return to the Pacific starting lineup. He took the ball deep in the Ottawa half, before bursting down the wing and playing a low cross on a plate for Sean Young to tap home. Aside from the assist, he had 25 passes in the final third, and won possession eight times, including twice in the final third.

Ayman Sellouf (Pacific FC) 

His stunning goal will be viewed around the league for many weeks to come, but it was just the icing on the cake of an outstanding overall performance. Sellouf also had an assist that could well have been an Olimpico, completed six dribbles, and won possession 11 times.

 

Attackers 

Josh Heard (Pacific FC) 

Heard doubled Pacific’s lead just nine minutes into Saturday’s contest. It capped off a lively offensive performance from the Pacific captain, in which he won two fouls, and completed 83.3 per cent of his passes. He also should have had an assist, but for a stunning miss from Djenairo Daniels.

Terran Campbell (Forge FC) 

Making his second consecutive start, Campbell provided the decisive moment for Forge against York on Friday with an excellent strike from distance to open his 2023 account. His hold-up play was excellent throughout the match, creating two other chances for the Hamilton side.

Djenairo Daniels (Pacific FC) 

Daniels led the line incredibly well for Pacific on Saturday, playing a role in all three of the Tridents’ first-half goals. He picked up an assist on Heard’s goal, and created two chances while playing a key role in leading a stifling Pacific FC press that was a nightmare for the Atleti backline.