It's a jam-packed week of action in the Canadian Premier League.
Midweek matches already saw a statement victory from Atlético Ottawa in the capital, 4-0 over Vancouver FC to move into third place, while Forge FC came from behind to beat FC Supra du Québec and reclaim the league's top spot heading into the weekend.
There, a thrilling triple-header awaits on Saturday, before FC Supra travel to York Lions Stadium for the very first time on Sunday.
Here are the key details and storylines ahead of Matchweek 18:
Saturday August 22 - Halifax Wanderers vs. Vancouver FC
2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT — Wanderers Grounds — OneSoccer
Tickets available here.
Two teams coming off the back of disappointing losses meet in Halifax on Saturday in search of redemption.
Vancouver FC were outclassed by Atlético Ottawa in the capital in their worst loss of the season, 4-0 to the team now directly above them in the table.
Halifax, meanwhile, also conceded four in a 4-3 loss to Inter Toronto this past weekend as their comeback attempt fell short.
The Wanderers have twice defeated Vancouver FC this season, however, both by a score of 1-0. All four of their wins this season have come against teams from BC.
Saturday, Aug. 22 - Cavalry FC vs. Atlético Ottawa
4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT — ATCO Field — OneSoccer, TSN
Tickets available here.
Second-place hosts third in the CPL table as Atlético Ottawa travel to Calgary on Saturday, looking to shrink a seven-point gap between the two clubs in the table.
It has been a busy but productive stretch for the capital club, with Saturday their fifth match in 14 days. That stretch has included three straight league wins, including 4-0 over Vancouver FC on Wednesday night in Ottawa.
Cavalry, meanwhile, are also at the height of their powers, having briefly gone top of the table this past weekend after a monumental 2-1 win over Forge FC.
The Cavs have dominated the season series so far, with 3-1 and 3-0 victories, so it's on Atlético Ottawa to flip the script at ATCO Field on Saturday.
Saturday, Aug. 22 - Forge FC vs. Pacific FC
7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT — Hamilton Stadium — OneSoccer, TVAS2
Tickets available here.
It's first vs last in Hamilton on Saturday, but recent performances suggest this one will be a lot closer than the 33-point gap between the two clubs in the table.
Forge finally snapped a three-game winless skid on Wednesday in a 3-2 home win over FC Supra du Québec, but didn't look entirely convincing in the process. Back-to-back wins, however, would go a long way toward reestablishing their momentum.
Pacific, meanwhile, have done everything but win in recent weeks. They led for 51 minutes against Vancouver FC in Langley over the weekend, only to see Terran Campbell equalize on an 87th-minute bicycle kick.
Sunday, Aug. 16 - Inter Toronto vs. FC Supra du Québec
4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT - York Lions Stadium — OneSoccer, CBC Gem, TVAS2
Tickets available here.
On Sunday, FC Supra du Québec travel to the eighth and final CPL venue at which they have not yet played: York Lions Stadium.
They come from just down the road, where they fell 3-2 to Forge FC in Hamilton on Wednesday, with plenty to prove following three straight matches where conceding late goals cost them points.
Both clubs now have a tremendous climb in front of them, sitting nine and ten points out of the playoffs respectively. Inter Toronto, however, have played the fewest matches in the league with 15, and their situation could improve quickly if they can win some of their games in hand.
A 4-3 home win over the Halifax Wanderers last weekend was a great place to start.
Player to Watch:
Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau, Atlético Ottawa
No mid-season signing has made an impact quite like the Atlético Ottawa attacker. With five goals and an assist in six matches in all competitions since signing, he has instantly added significant firepower to the Atleti attack. Just as importantly, however, his tireless pressing and work rate both with and without the ball open up the field for his teammates as well. It's early, but it looks like the capital club have found their Sam Salter replacement.
