Pre-season has begun across Canada with the seven founding clubs of the Canadian Premier League now preparing for the inaugural season as rosters continue to take shape. With the 2019 season kicking off on April 27, almost 120 players have been locked down so far.
Rosters are nearly complete, as such, so here’s how each team is shaping up (so far):
Pacific FC
- Players signed: 12
- Canadians: 12
- Internationals: 0
GK: Mark Village, Nolan Wirth
DF: Kadin Chung, Matthew Baldisimo, Marcel de Jong
MF: Noah Verhoeven, Alessandro Hojabrpour, Victor Blasco, Ben Fisk, Terran Campbell
FW: Marcus Haber, Jose Hernandez
The lowdown: Plenty of west-coast talent makes up the Pacific FC roster so far – almost to the point of the roster being exclusively staffed by B.C.-based talent – but balance is the strength boasted most by Michael Silberbauer’s team so far as he’s found enough interesting players to build out his first starting XI. The addition of Marcel de Jong is a huge acquisition, and instantly brings a leader to the locker room. But, de Jong will need help in the backline.
The holes: There are probably a few more defenders on the cards for Pacific FC, unless a paper-thin 3-5-2 formation is preferred by the club’s Danish tactician. We doubt it, though.
The top three: Marcus Haber, Ben Fisk, Marcel de Jong.
Cavalry FC
- Players signed: 16
- Canadians: 12
- Internationals: 4
GK: Marco Carducci, Niko Giantsopoulos
DF: Mason Trafford, Nathan Mavila, Dominick Zator, Chris Serban, Dean Northover, Joel Waterman
MF: Elijah Adekugbe, Sergio Camargo, Carlos Patino, Julian Buscher, Nik Ledgerwood
FW: Oliver Minatel, Nico Pasquotti, Jordan Brown
The lowdown: You could be forgiven for seeing plenty of similarities to the Calgary Foothills in Tommy Wheeldon Jr.’s current squad – it’s all by design. Wheeldon Jr. has quietly built the makings of a CPL club over the previous three years, and dominated in USL League Two with one eye to the future. Now? It’s all come together wonderfully in Calgary, particularly in the middle.
The holes: There are still a few areas that Wheeldon Jr. will look to reinforce, particularly up top where a central goal-scoring figure would do wonders for his side.
The top three: Nik Ledgerwood, Mason Trafford, Julian Buscher.
FC Edmonton
- Players signed: 20
- Canadians: 13
- Internationals: 7
GK: Dylon Powley, Connor James
DF: Kareem Moses, Ramon Soria, Allan Zebie, Jeannot Esua, Mele Temguia
MF: Philippe Lincourt-Joseph, James Marcelin, Son Yongchan, Ajay Khabra, Edem Mortotsi, Bruno Zebie
FW: Randy Edwini-Bonsu, Tomi Ameobi, Oumar Diouck, Ajeej Sarkaria, David Doe, Prince Amanda, Marcus Velado-Tsegaye
The lowdown: FC Edmonton have all but fleshed out their roster, with Jeff Paulus turning to plenty of local talent alongside a few interesting names emerging from even more interesting places. The key man in the middle could be a standout from the CPL’s Open Trials – Son Yongchan, who Paulus called the fittest player he’d ever seen. There are other fast and forward-thinking attackers on offer here, though, particularly Randy Edwini-Bonsu.
The holes: Generally solid across all fronts, though the Eddies will still want to shore up their defensive ranks with a pair of additional depth players.
The top three: Randy Edwini-Bonsu, Allan Zebie, Son Yongchan.
Valour FC
- Players signed: 17
- Canadians: 12
- Internationals: 5
GK: Mathias Janssens, Tyson Farago
DF: Jordan Murrell, Skylar Thomas, Raphael Garcia, Martin Arguinarena
MF: Raphael Ohin, Dylan Sacramento, Dylan Carreiro, Josip Golubar, Nicolas Galvis, Nestor Navia, Ali Musse, Diego Gutierrez
FW: Tyler Attardo, Glenn Muenkat, Stephen Hoyle
The lowdown: Credit coach Rob Gale for using his extensive network to bring in talent from across Canada and abroad. Valour’s spine is all but locked in, with Tyson Farago, Skylar Thomas, Josip Golubar, Ali Musse and Stephen Hoyle offering experience from back to front. Musse might turn out to be Gale’s biggest get after the box-to-box midfielder chose Winnipeg over a number of CPL suitors. Can former Canadian youth internationals Dylan Sacramento and Dylan Carreiro perform at the next level? Coach Gale won’t have long to bring this group together.
The holes: The well-balanced Manitobans recently bulked up their midfield but still lack depth in defence. Gale’s squad could use another body up front, too, though the squad is nearing completion.
The top three: Skylar Thomas, Ali Musse, Stephen Hoyle.
Forge FC
- Players signed: 16
- Canadians: 12
- Internationals: 4
GK: Quillan Roberts, Triston Henry
DF: Bertrand Owundi Eko, Kwame Awuah, Dominic Samuel, Jonathan Grant, Daniel Krutzen, Monti Mohsen
MF: Kyle Bekker, Tristan Borges, Alexander Achinioti Jonsson, Giuliano Frano, Elimane Oumar Cisse
FW: Marcel Zajac, Chris Nanco, Kadell Thomas
The lowdown: Methodical as ever, coach Bobby Smyrniotis has a collection of experienced players who’ve been involved in MLS setups, including recent addition Quillan Roberts in goal. Forge’s roster is full of intrigue, as talented, young attacking players like Marcel Zajac and Chris Nanco attempt to prove they’re among the league’s elite going forward. Something of an unknown, Swedish midfielder Alexander Achinioti Jonsson rounds out an impressive midfield spearheaded by Bekker, who opposing coaches have referred to as a top signing in the league. Then there’s Roberts, a 24-year-old net minder who, after stints with Toronto FC and Los Angeles FC, finally could see significant minutes in a first team environment. Is he ready?
The holes: Forge FC is in good shape, but currently lack a proven goal-scorer. One thing’s for sure: Smyrniotis believes in the players he developed in Ontario. Whether or not that pays off remains to be seen.
Top three: Kyle Bekker, Kwame Awuah, Chris Nanco.
York9 FC
- Players signed: 18
- Canadians: 16
- Internationals: 2
GK: Matt Silva
DF: Luca Gasparotto, Morey Doner, Justin Springer, Daniel Gogarty, Roger Thompson, Steven Furlano, Diyaeddine Abzi
MF: Joseph Di Chiara, Wataru Murofushi, Manuel Aparicio, Kyle Porter, Munir Saleh, Emilio Estevez
FW: Austin Ricci, Cyrus Rollocks, Simon Adjei, Michael Cox
The lowdown: The Nine Stripes are nearing capacity following a targeted approach that picked off top players from the Greater Toronto Area. Coach Jimmy Brennan has quietly put together a tidy midfield, featuring Joe Di Chiara, Wataru Murofushi and Manuel Aparicio — all three of who bring overseas experience. Luca Gasparotto is an impressive addition at the back while Brennan also made sure to bring in veteran heads in Roger Thompson and Kyle Porter. The club believes Michael Cox could be the difference-maker up front.
The holes: A nearly full York9 roster will need some fine-tuning. Can Simon Adjei be relied upon to find goals outside of Sweden? The Nine Stripes still have room to add a few internationals. Brennan also needs to add another ‘keeper.
The top three: Luca Gasparotto, Wataru Murofushi, Michael Cox.
HFX Wanderers
- Players signed: 17
- Canadians: 10
- Internationals: 7
GK: Jan-Michael Williams, Christian Oxner
DF: Ndzemdzela Langwa, Chrisnovic N’sa, Chakib Hocine, Zachary Sukunda, Elton John, Alex De Carolis
MF: Elliot Simmons, Andre Rampersad, Scott Firth, Akeem Garcia, Kouame Ouattara, Kodai Lida, Juan Diego Gutierrez
FW: Vincent Lamy, Luis Alberto Perea
The lowdown: Coach Stephen Hart vowed to build from back to front, beginning with an experienced ‘keeper in Jan-Michael Williams, one the most experienced players league-wide. The CPL’s most experienced bench boss bolstered his back line and midfield with a trio of Trinidadians one league talent evaluator promised will turn heads. Kouame Ouattara was arguably the best player of the CPL’s Open Trials. Look for the Ivorian defensive midfielder to disrupt and play simple. Hart turned his attention to the front end of his lineup last week, adding a creative midfielder in Kodai Lida before, he hopes, finding goals through Luis Alberto Perea.
The holes: Is there enough going forward? Or, are HFX Wanderers an injury away from being stymied in front of goal?
The top three: Jan-Michael Williams, Kouame Ouattara, Luis Alberto Perea.