The Gatorade Team of the Week for the sixth week of Canadian Premier League action in 2023, brought to you by Kristian Jack and OneSoccer’s Oliver Platt.
Goalkeeper
Kieran Baskett (Pacific FC)
The 21-year-old was excellent in his first league start with Pacific FC, helping a makeshift side with significant lineup turnover to earn a road point in Winnipeg. He had solid distribution all afternoon long, while being quick off his line when called upon to break up Valour opportunities.
Defenders
Min-jae Kwak (Vancouver FC)
Kwak was excellent against a Forge side who were looking to overload his flank of the pitch all match on Friday night. The young fullback won nine of 15 duels, made five tackles and eight clearances to help Vancouver FC pick up the first clean sheet in club history.
Daan Klomp (Cavalry FC)
The Cavalry central defender continues to be a menace on set pieces, being perfectly positioned to tap home an Ali Musse header in Sunday’s win against Ottawa. He also won both of his aerial duels and was solid at the back when he was required to be.
GOAL🐎🐎
Another goal following a set piece as Daan Klomp finishes and extends @CPLCavalryFC's lead to 2-0 over @atletiOttawa in #CanPL action🔥⚽️#CavsFC | #ForOttawa
TUNE IN | 🔴 pic.twitter.com/4KHqOowrq8
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) May 22, 2023
Brem Soumaoro (York United)
Allowed to get further up the pitch than usual at times on Saturday, the York United central defender scored his first goal with the Nine Stripes. He was also defensively solid with three won tackles and two interceptions as his side picked up their most convincing win of the season so far.
Tyler Crawford (Vancouver FC)
Another young Vancouver fullback with a standout performance on Friday was 19-year-old Tyler Crawford. The Canadian youth international won five of his six duels contested, and made five interceptions to help the expansion side secure an impressive road point.
Midfielders
Jesse Daley (Cavalry FC)
Daley was a key part of the patient buildup that was crucial to Cavalry’s first win of the season. The Aussie midfielder completed 64 of his match-leading 72 passes, while also making three tackles and winning seven duels.
Sean Young (Pacific FC)
Young wore the captain’s armband for Pacific on the weekend and was the club’s leader in performance as well. He scored his second goal of the campaign on a thunderous volley, while also creating three chances and winning possession 10 times.
And just like that @Pacificfccpl takes the lead against @ValourFootball as Sean Young unleashes a rocket of a finish into the back of the net! 🤫 #CanPL | 📺 @onesoccer pic.twitter.com/UM7lCJkJ1w
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) May 20, 2023
Pacifique Niyongabire (Valour FC)
The Valour star is off the mark for the season with his first goal on a brilliant finish in the second half against Pacific on Saturday. It came as a reward for an outstanding overall performance in which he completed eight dribbles, won possession back eight times and made four tackles.
Sergio Camargo (Cavalry FC)
Camargo’s movement in midfield was the key that unlocked the Atlético Ottawa backline on several occasions for Cavalry over the weekend. He scored his first of the season, while also managing three other shot attempts and four successful dribbles during an outstanding performance.
Ali Musse (Cavalry FC)
It is a second straight team of the week appearance for Musse, who despite being heavily marked for Atlético Ottawa was still able to put in an influential performance on Sunday. Musse assisted Cavalry’s second goal with a precise headed cross, while also making six successful dribbles.
Attackers
Austin Ricci (York United)
The forward has been one of York’s most consistent and competitive players this season, and had his best performance yet this season against Halifax on Saturday. He picked up an assist, and created two chances, while also completing seven dribbles as the key driver in attack for the Nine Stripes.