Tag: Alessandro Hojabrpour

Why the quality of the Canadian Premier League deserves more respect

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Canadian Premier League

The Canadian Premier League is not a giant leap away from the MLS, or many of the clubs abroad. Many of the examples of MLS clubs facing off against CPL giants has resulted in losses for the CPL clubs. But the gap has never been that far away. inancially, I recognize the difficulty of choosing the Canadian Premier League as the path for the future. But for outside audiences, our league deserves more respect. The quality is already far beyond what most would have imagined at this point, and not all that far away from the MLS.

Game of Numbers #37 – Forge FC’s use of centre-backs in midfield like Manchester City

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Canadian Premier League, Game of Numbers, Masterclasses

For the unfamiliar, Forge FC are the Manchester City of the Canadian Premier League. They play a possession-based 4-3-3, stacked with ball-savvy savants, and a culture that embodies winning. The Canadian Premier League's been around since 2019 now. Forge have won the Playoffs in four of the five seasons, and lost the final in the one other at the hands of players they recruited to their team immediately after.

The successful throw-in playbook (ft. Forge FC)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Canadian Premier League, Coach Education, Coaching, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Sport Psychology

CPL Winners Forge FC ranked second in successful throw-ins across the 2022 season - at 90.9%. They exceled through movement off the ball to create space, and a series of meticulous routines to unbalance the opposition. Here is how they achieved success.

Alessandro Hojabrpour – Player Analysis

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

Alessandro Hojabrpour has been one of the standout performers of the past two seasons in the Canadian Premier League. Playing in an understated defensive midfield role where he's required to proactively participate in all phases of the game, Hojabpour has also been a name that has gone relatively unnoticed when compared to some of his CPL peers. At 22 years of age, with the maturity of someone in their mid-twenties, Hojabrpour should be on the radar of every single MLS club, and soon enough on the radar of our national team. Here is my analysis of the remarkabilities to Alessandro Hojabrpour in 2022, and why he's one of the best midfielders that Canada has to offer.

Atletico Ottawa 0-2 Forge FC – CPL Playoff Final – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Canadian Premier League, Match Analysis, Most Recent

The 2022 CPL season has officially come to an end, with a thrilling final between Atletico and Forge ending in another victory for the Hammers - their third CPL Playoff win in four years. Forge bamboozled Atletico Ottawa on the day, completely stunting their quick attacking transitions, while dominating the flow and possession of the match. Here is our tactical analysis of the final, and how Forge came out the other side as victors once more.

Atletico Ottawa v. Forge FC – CPL Playoff Final – Tactical Preview

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Canadian Premier League, Match Analysis

After a long, hard-fought Canadian Premier League season, tomorrow will see the attacking fluidity of Forge meet the defensive solidity of Atletico Ottawa in the CPL Playoff final. The season saw an intense top four battle between the two playoff finalists alongside Pacific and Cavalry over the past seven months, and we are now one day away from the finale to what has been an explosive, groundbreaking season for the CPL. Here is our tactical preview of the final, and what both teams may look to do ahead of tomorrow.