Matchweek 4 brought CPL action to four different provinces over the weekend, and we saw some incredibly close encounters between sides that are still fine-tuning their tactics early in the year.
Once again, as was so often the case this month, the biggest story is in Montreal. FC Supra du Québec, playing their second home game at CEPSUM, came from a goal down to beat the Halifax Wanderers 2-1 for their first ever home win. Although Isaiah Johnston scored from the spot for a second straight week, Supra fought back with a clever Matisse Chrétien finish and a late Safwane Mlah winner.
Now, FC Supra are off to their permanent home of Stade Boréale in Laval. They'll take on Cavalry there next Sunday.
This weekend's action wrapped up in Victoria, where Forge FC spoiled Pacific FC's party at the Royal Athletic Park. Brian Wright scored the match's lone goal — with an assist from the daylight offside trial — and the Hammers took sole possession of first place.
Forge still haven't conceded a goal yet, by the way.
Elsewhere in the league, Cavalry and Inter Toronto had a good battle for a 1-1 draw, and Atlético Ottawa returned to TD Place to play in front of their fans for the first time since winnin the North Star Cup.
The jubilant atmosphere in Ottawa made for some great scenes in the capital, although Vancouver FC very nearly took the win. The stadium went pretty quiet after Callum Irving stopped a Santiago López penalty kick, then VFC's Mohamed Amissi scored 38 seconds later to put the Eagles in front.
Atleti wouldn't let that dampen their home opener. They needed almost all of stoppage time, but in the 97th minute, Emiliano Garcia scored to snatch a point for Ottawa. A nice assist for Kam Habibullah, too.
Things are starting to fall into place in the table. Here's how it looks through four weeks.
| Pos. | Team | GP | W | D | L | Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forge FC | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| 2 | Cavalry FC | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| 3 | FC Supra du Québec | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| 4 | Inter Toronto | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 5 | Halifax Wanderers | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| 6 | Atlético Ottawa | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 7 | Pacific FC | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 8 | Vancouver FC | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Forge, as they so often do, are finding ways to win. They haven't necessarily been world-beaters every week — certainly, Vancouver felt they should've got more in Matchweek 2 — but elite teams manufacture results, and that's what the Hammers are doing.
They were pretty comfortable against Pacific on Sunday, although they probably would've liked to be more clinical in the final third. However, the goal did arrive for them, and they defended exceptionally well so just one was enough.
If you're wondering, the record for consecutive games by a team without a goal conceded is five (Pacific FC in 2024). Interestingly, the record for consecutive clean sheets by an individual keeper is six (set by Valour FC's Jonathan Sirois in 2021).
We had a story at CPLsoccer.com last week about how the daylight offside trial is producing more scoring chances via set-pieces. So, perhaps it should be no surprise that several teams continued to look dangerous with the dead ball.
Both goals in Cavalry-Inter Toronto, plus Forge's goal and one of Supra's, came from a corner or free kick.
Also, we really have to talk about FC Supra.
This team is playing the most fun soccer in the CPL right now. They have over 20 shots in every game they've ever played, they've had some tremendous dramatic moments, and the atmosphere at both home games has been exceptional.
When Safwane Mlah scored his match-winner, that place exploded.
They've played one fewer game than all but one team, and they're leading the league in shots on target (24). They're third in touches in the box (88), second in dribbles completed (35), and first in chances created (45).
The finishing isn't quite where it needs to be yet, but that should come. This team is gonna score some goals this year.
Elsewhere in the soccer world, we had a CPL reunion in Sweden on Sunday. Sam Salter and Matteo De Brienne both got the start for GAIS against IFK Goteborg, who brought Tiago Coimbra off the bench late in a 2-2 draw.
Awards Watch
We'll see a few monthly awards handed out this week, which will give an early glimpse into which players are leading the narrative through three weeks.
One player that's really catching the spotlight is FC Supra's Sean Rea. He has been (spoiler alert!) in the Gatorade Team of the Week three times in a row — that is, every time he's played this year. He's been the star Supra have needed in the first month of their first season.
Also, it's been a great month for goalkeepers; multiple shot-stoppers have been named Player of the Week already in Marco Carducci and Garissone Innocent. However, it's possible that Forge's Dimitry Bertaud is flying under the radar. Four CPL matches for Congolese keeper, and four clean sheets — A Forge club record.
U-21 Minutes Update
This week we saw 10 U-21 Canadians named to starting lineups, with another eight coming off the bench for clubs across the league.
Alessandro Biello continues to impress in midfield for Supra, winning seven of 11 duels against Halifax with four interceptions and a 92.9 per cent pass accuracy. Meanwhile, Cavalry's Adam Pearlman made three successful tackles against Inter Toronto, also leading his team in touches and making 16 passes in the final third.
Ottawa, however, are way out in front in the U-21 minute counter. With two starts in a row, Santiago López is helping that number shoot out, even in a week where Sergei Kozlovskiy didn't get the start.
| Team | U-21 Minutes |
|---|---|
| Atlético Ottawa | 632 |
| FC Supra du Québec | 444 |
| Forge FC | 419 |
| Halifax Wanderers | 415 |
| Pacific FC | 415 |
| Cavalry FC | 331 |
| Vancouver FC | 242 |
| Inter Toronto FC | 234 |
Coming up next…
Friday, May 1
Inter Toronto FC vs. Atlético Ottawa
7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT (OneSoccer)
Saturday, May 2
Halifax Wanderers vs. Forge FC
2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT (OneSoccer & CBC Gem)
Sunday, May 3
FC Supra du Québec vs. Cavalry FC (Stade Boréale)
3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT (OneSoccer & RDS Direct)
Pacific FC vs. Vancouver FC (Royal Athletic Park)
7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT (OneSoccer & TSN)
Photo of the Week
Red smoke emerges from Section W; Atlético Ottawa have scored at home.
(Photo by Jordan MacDonald/Atlético Ottawa)
