Following last week's TELUS Canadian Championship action, the CPL regular season is back for Matchweek 13.
Some clubs are coming off of huge victories in the competition. Others, disheartening losses, and for a few who were eliminated early, they will be rested and ready to go again. All of this will factor into the matchweek ahead.
Starting Thursday, this week's slate offers three exciting matchdays of action before taking a break on Sunday for the World Cup final.
Here is what you need to know:
Thursday, July 16 - Forge FC vs. Pacific FC
7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT — Hamilton Stadium — OneSoccer
Tickets available here.
The Terry Dunfield era begins for Pacific FC on Thursday,
The new manager's first test, however, is about as tough as it gets: league-leaders Forge FC at Hamilton Stadium. Pacific have lost in their past five trips to Hamilton, and haven't scored a goal at the stadium in over two years.
They have, however, had the advantage of preparing for this battle, while Forge were battling CS Saint-Laurent over two difficult legs in the Canadian Championship -- advancing on a stoppage-time Antoine Batisse goal. Expect at least some rotation in that regard from the Hamilton side on Thursday.
Sitting at the top (Forge) and the bottom (Pacific) of the table, with 28 points between them, this nevertheless promises to be an intriguing matchup to begin the matchweek.
Friday, July 17 - FC Supra du Québec vs. Vancouver FC
7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT — Langley Events Centre — OneSoccer, TVAS2
Tickets available here.
On Friday night, FC Supra host Vancouver FC for the first time, with three points separating the two sides in the table.
Both are coming off Canadian Champions action with mixed results. Supra from the high of a huge home win over Atlético Ottawa to take a 3-1 lead in their series. Vancouver FC, meanwhile, were eliminated by CF Montréal despite a valiant effort over two legs.
The two sides have met once before, a 1-1 draw in Langley back on May 23, where Matisse Chrétien scored a stoppage-time equalizer to steal a point for Supra.
Friday, July 17 - Atlético Ottawa vs. Inter Toronto
7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT — TD Place — OneSoccer, TSN
Tickets available here.
Provincial rivals Atlético Ottawa and Inter Toronto meet for the second time this season when they clash in the capital on Friday.
Toronto were emphatic winners the first time, with a 4-1 demolition of Atleti at York Lions Stadium on May 1. Inter have won just once since in their past seven matches in all competitions, however.
It will be a return to the nation's capital for Inter Toronto's Ollie Bassett, who won a Player of the Year award, a CPL Golden Boot and CPL Shield while playing for Atlético Ottawa.
Both clubs will be looking for significant defensive improvement on Friday, with Inter Toronto leaking a stunning 16 goals in their past four matches. Atlético Ottawa, meanwhile, have allowed 10 in their past four, including three to FC Supra in a first-leg Canadian Championship loss this past Wednesday.
Saturday, July 18 - Cavalry FC vs. Halifax Wanderers
3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT - ATCO Field — OneSoccer, CBC Gem
Tickets available here.
The matchweek concludes in Calgary, where Cavalry host the Halifax Wanderers for a second time this season.
Cavalry prevailed 2-0 back on June 6 when the two sides last met on ATCO Field, and have scored 10 times in their past three CPL matches.
They are coming off the disappointment of being eliminated from the Canadian Championship quarterfinals by the Vancouver Whitecaps, but did draw the four-time defending champions in a strong performance on Tuesday night.
Halifax, meanwhile, won just their second-ever match at Starlight Stadium last time out, and now look for a first-ever win at ATCO Field.
Player to Watch:
Mohamed Amissi, Vancouver FC
After a historic hat-trick against Inter Toronto, Amissi leads the Canadian Premier League Golden Boot race with six goals scored this season. One of the league's most dangerous attackers, he sits second in the league in shots on target (16) and expected goals (5), and fourth in touches in the opposition box (51). Against Supra on Friday, he looks to continue his outstanding run of form in a crucial match for his side's playoff ambitions.
