✍️ Ivan Sørensen

We take a look at week five of the Canadian Premier League. What did it all mean, and where are we headed now?

4 games, 14 goals

The weekend opened with a thumping as Inter Toronto beat Atlético Ottawa 4-1 at home.

On Saturday, visiting Forge came away with a 3-1 victory over Halifax.

Sunday's double header saw Cavalry grind out a 1-0 win away at FC Supra, while Vancouver FC claimed a 3-1 derby victory over Pacific.

Standings

The standings are beginning to take shape as results stabilize and a clearer picture of the season emerges. It is worth taking a moment to compare where things stand against this point from last year.

At the bottom sits Pacific with just a single point. This time last year, they were seventh, ahead of Valour, and notably never spent a matchday at the foot of the table across the entire 2025 season.

Atlético Ottawa occupy seventh at four points, with their narrow win over Supra their only victory so far. Last year, Ottawa never dropped below second after the opening week. In both cases, these are teams that have yet to find their footing. The question for their supporters is when that will change, or perhaps more worryingly, whether it will at all.

Tied with Ottawa in sixth is Vancouver FC, also on four points following their derby win. This is actually a worse position than they found themselves in at this stage last year, when they sat fourth, though that would prove to be the peak of their 2025 campaign. One could argue this year's roster is stronger, but the same fundamental question remains: will it click, and when?

Fifth place belongs to Halifax with five points. There was perhaps some hope of a home win against Forge, though in reality it was always going to be a difficult proposition. The Wanderers were flying at this stage last season, sitting second as early as week two.

Within the playoff places, FC Supra sit fourth with six points from four games. Two wins and two losses may not look spectacular on paper, but for an expansion side navigating the uncertainty of a first season, it is a pretty satisfying return.

Inter Toronto occupy third with eight points from four unbeaten matches, a significant improvement on sixth place at this point last year, when they were on the verge of slipping into the bottom half. This year's side, formerly known as York, plays dependable and practical football, and that is earning them dependable and practical results.

At the top, it is the clash of the heavyweights, with Cavalry second on 11 points and Forge leading the way on 13. Both sides remain unbeaten and have shown an ability to control matches and limit opponents. Each has scored seven goals, though Forge have conceded just once compared to Cavalry's three, that kind of defensive efficiency being the hallmark of title-winning sides. Interestingly, both are actually off to stronger starts than last year, with Forge sitting third and Cavalry fifth at this stage of the 2025 season.

What comes next?

Nothing in the CPL this weekend, though the reason for the break is more football of a different kind.

The Voyageurs Cup, better known as the Canadian Championship, takes centre stage.

📌 Related

Canadian Championship 101: Everything you need to know ahead of the 2026 edition

Atlético Ottawa face a stiff test against MLS side Toronto FC, while FC Supra take on Woodbridge from the Ontario Premier League. There are two all-CPL clashes, with Halifax and Forge meeting again and Pacific facing Cavalry. Inter Toronto host CS Saint-Laurent from Ligue 1 Québec, and Vancouver FC take on neighbours Langley United from the British Columbia Premier League.

Tune in for a taste of Canadian cup football, and we will see you back here soon.