After being crowned the best defensive midfielder in the league in our CANPL Scouting Series last year, Diego Gutiérrez has transformed elements of his game to become one of the league's top box-to-box roamers. The Chilean midfielder has not only captained Valour through the start of the 2023 season, but has been pivotal to directing play and controlling much of the team's better moments throughout the season so far. Here is why Diego Gutiérrez is one of the best midfielders in the division.
Since making his professional debut against Atletico on April 15, Nimick has not missed a minute of action inside the 2023 CPL season. Along the way, he's been integral to Halifax's success both in bringing the ball out from the back and defending like his life depends on it. Here is our analysis of Daniel Nimick, and why clubs should keep the 22-year-old toward the top of their radar.
Vancouver FC haven't enjoyed the perfect start to life in the 2023 Canadian Premier League, but they have been one of the league's strongest promoters of young talent - epitomizing one of the key goals of the league. One of their most consistent performers at the heart of everything good has been 19-year-old Tyler Crawford, after just a single-season playing college soccer as a freshman for Michigan State. We break down the talent that is Tyler Crawford, and discuss whether he has the chops to continue progressing his career into future MLS stardom or beyond.
Matteo de Brienne arrived onto the scene of the Canadian Premier League just last year, coming to life toward the end of the campaign to score one of the most outrageous hits. The young Canadian would have expected to have more of a role to play this season, but I don't think anyone expected such a drastic transformation in that role. The 22-year-old has not missed a minute of action so far this campaign, playing every single match as the team's left-back, a role he never played in 2021. Here is our analysis of Matteo de Brienne's wonderful left-back transformation.
One of the most impressive players this season has been Dutchman Ayman Sellouf, entering the B.C. scene from Jong FC Utrecht, as the dynamic dribbling equivalent to Marco Bustos. Sellouf has completely lived up to his promise so far in 2023, already scoring more than Bustos managed in 2022, and acting as arguably the best player in the league to start the campaign. We analyze Ayman Sellouf's potential for greatness this season and beyond, making the case for why this could be a short-lived stint inside Canada's top flight.
Valour only picked Klaidi Cela up in early April as a result of injuries to two of their centre-backs, but this appears to be a great signing, and one that has given the young Canadian all the confidence he needs to perform on the big stage. Here is our analysis of Klaidi Cela.
HFX Wanderers looked a completely different side on Matchday 1 against last season’s first-place finishers, with a genuine intentionality behind their team tactics and set-up. The interesting thing to now keep on the radar will be whether the tactics they used on opening day were created to mitigate Atletico Ottawa’s own innovations, or whether they intend on utilizing the same ideologies in their matches moving forward. Either way, Halifax enjoyed a brilliant start to the season, through much in the way of innovation and pizzazz. Here is Game of Numbers Issue No. 16 - all about how Gheisar achieved balance in his side via the use of Riley Ferrazzo as an 'Inverted Fullback'.
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