The Gatorade Team of the Week for the seventh week of Canadian Premier League action in 2023, brought to you by OneSoccer’s Oliver Platt.
Goalkeeper
Triston Henry (Forge FC)
In the best goalkeeping performance of the season so far, Henry made a stunning eight saves as he kept his third clean sheet of the season. It was the most stops the Forge keeper has made in a single match in his CPL career.
Was there any doubt? The @AllstateCanada Save of the Match goes out to none other than Triston Henry of @ForgeFCHamilton denying multiple shots for @atletiOttawa but specifically against Miguel Acosta 🧤 #CanPL | 📺 @onesoccer pic.twitter.com/8f1jsARBiq
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) May 27, 2023
Defenders
Zachary Fernandez (HFX Wanderers)
One of the most consistent performers for Halifax this season, Zach Fernandez put in another solid shift against Pacific on Saturday night. He created two chances, had two successful dribbles and won five of his six duels contested.
Paris Gee (York United)
Gee has played multiple positions across the park for the Nine Stripes this season, and has been excellent in all the them. The last two matches have been spent as a central defender, where his ability to play the ball forward in particular was crucial to York’s lethal counterattack.
Pele Martinez (Vancouver FC)
Another clean sheet for expansion side Vancouver FC, and another strong performance from Pele Martinez in the centre of defence. The 25-year-old Belize International won all five of his aerial duels, and made nine clearances against Valour on Sunday night.
Lassana Faye (York United)
Faye has really been showing his quality in recent weeks. Sunday night was another such performance as the fullback led York in terms of touches and passes, while winning possession eight times and making three tackles against one the most dangerous attackers in the league in Ali Musse.
Midfielders
Lorenzo Callegari (HFX Wanderers)
Halifax really missed Callegari last weekend, and he quickly showed why with another stunning performance at the base of midfield. He completed 84 of his 92 pass attempts, 30 of which came in the final third, while creating five chances.
Sean Young (Pacific FC)
It is a third straight appearance in the team of the week for Pacific midfielder Young, who set up his side’s goal against Halifax with his league-leading third assist of the season.
Clément Bayiha (York United)
The York winger was the difference maker in his side’s first home victory of the season, scoring the match-winner in the 23rd minute on a great run and composed finish. He was lethal on the counterattack all match, with six touches inside the Cavalry box, two chances created, and five successful dribbles.
Clément Bayiha gives @yorkutdfc the lead! He rounds Marco Carducci and puts the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-0 🟢#CanPL I 📺 @onesoccer pic.twitter.com/dujFSAqBRL
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) May 28, 2023
Ali Musse (Cavalry FC)
Despite his side’s losing effort, Musse makes another appearance in the team of the week after another dominant performance over the weekend against York. He had three shot attempts, and created four chances during a match in which he was incredibly unlucky not to find his name on the scoresheet.
Aidan Daniels (Halifax Wanderers)
Daniels had a fantastic impact off the bench for Halifax on Saturday night, creating a chance and completing 88.2 per cent of his passes before scoring a late equalizer to earn the Wanderers a big road point.
Forwards
Adonijah Reid (Pacific FC)
The Pacific striker scored his first CPL goal over the weekend with a great run into the box and finish. He also won three fouls and was generally the most dangerous Pacific attacker on the park. His ability to elude defenders is becoming a real asset for the Tridents’ attack.
Adonijah Reid secures a 1-0 lead for @Pacificfccpl against @HFXWanderersFC with a well-taken goal. It's a special moment for Reid as he notches his first #CanPL goal, a deserving reward for his efforts.#CanPL | 📺 @onesoccer pic.twitter.com/T5XgZhXInw
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) May 28, 2023