With Forge and Cavalry punching their ticket to the playoffs the past two weekends, the race to get above the line is now down to the final two spots.
A tough stretch of results for Vancouver FC and Atlético Ottawa have cracked the door open for several contenders lining up for a chance to save their seasons.
Here is what's ahead in Matchweek 23:
Friday, Sept. 25 - Cavalry FC vs. FC Supra du Québec
9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT — ATCO Field — OneSoccer, TVAS2
Tickets available here.
After a big win in the nation's capital, FC Supra travel to Calgary, searching for a first-ever win against league-leaders Cavalry FC.
Recent results allow Supra to start to dream again, as they sit seven points out of the playoffs, but with two games in hand.
Getting anything out of ATCO Field, however, would take a massive performance. Cavalry are nine unbeaten, winning seven of those matches.
After a 1-1 draw with Forge last weekend, the CPL Shield is truly in their control with a four-point lead. Now they just need to take care of business in their final six matches of the season.
Saturday, Sept. 26 - Halifax Wanderers vs. Atlético Ottawa
4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT — Wanderers Grounds — OneSoccer, TSN
Tickets available here.
Coming off back-to-back wins for the first time this season, the Halifax Wanderers host Atlético Ottawa at the Wanderers Grounds full of confidence.
A 4-1 win against Inter Toronto has them just one spot, and six points, out of the playoffs with five matches remaining. Not an impossible gap, but they have to move now.
Atleti, meanwhile, have gone the opposite direction, as one of the league's best attacks is now scoreless, and evidently winless, in their past three matches.
Ottawa were 3-1 winners in Halifax on Canada Day, however, and have won their past five against the Wanderers including all three previous meetings this season.
Saturday, Sept. 26 - Vancouver FC vs. Forge FC
7 p.m. ET / 4 a.m. PT — Langley Events Centre — OneSoccer, CBC Gem
Tickets available here.
Vancouver FC's race to clinch a first-ever playoff spot is going a lot slower than they would have hoped.
A chaotic 3-3 draw with Inter Toronto on Wednesday cost them a huge chance to put further distance between themselves and the playoff line and continued their concerning run of form. They now have just one win in their past eight.
They could take a huge stride forward, however, on Saturday with a win over Forge FC.
Forge missed a big chance to get within one point of rivals Cavalry FC in the CPL Shield race last weekend. They now need to be near perfect in their final six matches, while hoping for some help in slowing down Cavalry.
Sunday, Sept. 27 - Inter Toronto vs. Pacific FC
2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT - York Lions Stadium - OneSoccer
Tickets available here.
The matchweek concludes in Toronto, where Inter host Pacific FC to begin a vital three-match homestand.
Eight points out of the fourth and final playoff spot with six matches remaining, they basically need the full nine points in order to remain in contention.
Pacific's playoff hopes officially ended last weekend, but they are relishing the role of spoiler down the stretch. They did that on their last visit to Toronto, a 3-3 draw which cost the hosts in the playoff race.
Player to Watch:
Jason Bahamboula, Halifax Wanderers
After trying out a number of different options and combinations, Halifax have found real success in recent weeks by playing Jason Bahamboula through the middle. The 25-year-old has three goals in his past five matches and has been a big reason for Halifax's late-season surge. In a huge match for Halifax on Saturday, Bahamboula will be a key player to watch.
