Category: Canadian Premier League

Woobens Pacius – Player Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Canadian Premier League, Coach Education, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Striker

At the start of the 2022 CANPL season, Woobens Pacius appeared to have lost his place at the top of Forge FC's attack. The Hammers had brought in Pacific icon Terran Campbell, who had haunted Forge among many other Canadian Premier League teams en route to Pacific's Playoff victory in 2021. But Forge's attack didn't fully click in the opening weeks of the season, and they struggled to find the right chemistry, particularly with Campbell's desire to engage lower on the pitch and support the play. In came Woobens Pacius to restore faith to Forge's fervid attack, and the Hammers immediately went on a stunning run of form.

Calin Calaidjoglu – Player Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Attacking Midfield, Canadian Premier League, Coach Education, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Player Education, Recruitment & Scouting

After catching the eye for Montreal Impact's Academy in 2018, the career of future Canadian international Calin Calaidjoglu has gone quietly under the radar. Currently plying his trade in his native Moldova, that much is understandable. But Calaidjoglu recently impressed in his side's UEFA Conference League tie against Slovenian side NS Mura, and has enjoyed a bright start to the 2022-23 season. While CPL clubs tend to recruit even younger players, the 21-year-old would have plenty to offer if a move were to be made back home. In this tactical analysis, we break down the strengths and weaknesses of Calin Calaidjoglu at the age of 21, and the CPL clubs that would most benefit from his playing style. Here is our analysis!

Carlos Gonzalez – Atletico Ottawa – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Canadian Premier League, Coach Education, Formations, Masterclasses, Most Recent

After finishing bottom of the table in 2021, Carlos Gonzalez has come into Atletico Ottawa and completely transformed the team into one of the most resolute, remarkable teams in the Canadian Premier League. In just half the games, they've won more matches than they did in the whole of last season, conceding the second least amount of goals in the league. Along the way, they've played one of the most tactically fluid and fantastical styles of football in the division, adamantly changing formation and player roles between the phases. Here is our tactical analysis of Atletico Ottawa's rise under Carlos Gonzalez.

Why Alejandro Diaz caught the eye of Sogndal Fotball

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Canadian Premier League, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Recruitment & Scouting, Striker

Devastated. Alejandro Diaz is one of the most exciting, flamboyant, energetic, tactically intelligent, heroic figures of the Canadian Premier League, and has been for the past few seasons since joining Pacific in 2020. It's amazing to see the Mexican forward achieve a massive move to Norway and their 1. divisjon. But Diaz helped build something … Continue reading Why Alejandro Diaz caught the eye of Sogndal Fotball

Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson – Player Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Canadian Premier League, Centre Backs, Defensive Midfield, Most Recent, Player Analysis, World Football

On Sunday July 31, 2022, Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson became the first non-Canadian player to make 100 appearances in the Canadian Premier League. As an integral member to the league's best side, Jönsson has arguably been the player of the season so far in the 2022 season, featuring in all but one match. What's more - he's played admirably in not one but two positions this season, splitting his playing time between the right-side of centre-back and defensive midfield. Here is an analysis of one of the CANPL's best players - 26-year-old Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson.

Recognizing and playing to your teammates’ strengths in football

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Canadian Premier League, Coach Education, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Player Education, Women's Football

Each situation in football is unique, and that means every player must endeavour to scan the field at every turn, allowing for appropriate adjustments to each specific situation in the quest to properly perform the next action. But beyond the act of scanning the field, players must have a keen understanding of their own teammates' strengths and weaknesses.

Bobby Smyrniotis – Forge FC – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Canadian Premier League, Coach Education, Managers, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Team Analysis

Despite sitting in third place in the Canadian Premier League table, you could make the argument that Forge FC have been the best side in the league. The Hammers have accumulated the same amount of wins as Cavalry and Pacific ahead of them, each of whom have played more games. In that time, Smyrniotis' side have conceded just 13 goals, scoring 31 along the way, the best record in both categories. So with that, we analyze the Canadian Premier League's most dominant team, and what lies in store for the remainder of the season for Forge FC.

Why William Akio caught the eye of Ross County – Player Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Canadian Premier League, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Recruitment & Scouting, Winger

It's been a strange couple of months for Canadian soccer players, almost absurdly unusual in the number of players making their way abroad. Akio is the next in line to join a European club, even in light of one of the greatest misses the game has ever seen. But as Ross County put it, Akio has so much pace and dynamism to offer, and so much more about him than all the discussion around his miss at the moment. So with that, here is our analysis as to why William Akio caught the eye of Ross County.