Thank you for tuning in as we take a look at the last week in the Canadian Premier League. With the playoffs closing in, there is not much time to get the critical results on the board!

The games played

We had a midweek game as Inter Toronto and Pacific met in Toronto.

Both teams showed up to make a fight out of it, and we got a back-and-forth slugfest as they took turns scoring. When the final whistle blew, the score was 3-3 with absolutely nothing left in the tank—fun note: six different goalscorers in the game as well.

Halifax visited Quebec on Saturday and could soothe some of their season-long concerns with a late first-half smash-and-grab to earn a 2-0 win. The loss wasn't due to a lack of Supra trying to force the issue, but in the end, it was all for nothing.

Over in Hamilton, Forge reasserted themselves and reminded everybody what kind of team they are, as they hammered Atletico Ottawa into the dirt with a 3-0 win, with Bourgeois claiming a brace.

Toronto lined up for a second game in the same week, hosting Vancouver FC. This time fortune favoured them with a 3-1 result. However, special mention goes to Accettola's absolute physics-breaking goal. The match commentary said it was a candidate for goal of the year, and I am inclined to agree.

Pacific went through another slugfest against Cavalry, finishing the week's games with a 1-0 Cavs win. A bit of a wet blanket after the epic battle with Toronto earlier, but holding Cavalry to only a single goal is no easy feat.

The teams in review

Pacific (8th)

A single point from two games didn't really move the needle. With seven games to go, the math looks something like Pacific winning seven in a row while VFC loses their next six for Pacific to reach the playoffs.

As a famous man in a movie once said, "So you are telling me there IS a chance?"

Their next game is at home against Vancouver.

Supra Du Quebec (7th)

Realistically, Supra is probably also playing for honour at this point, but finishing 5th would certainly feel like a reward for this season. They will play Ottawa away on Sunday.

Inter Toronto (6th)

Four points from two games is a pretty sturdy effort, even though some Toronto fans may feel they should have gotten all six. It's a seven-point deficit to match Vancouver at this point, but Toronto has only played 20 matches, giving them a potential boost if they can make something of it.

An away game in Nova Scotia awaits them.

Halifax Wanderers (5th)

With 34 points as well, Halifax is nominally in the same playoff position as Toronto, but they don't have the advantage of any extra matches, having played 22 already. A tight ship is required, and the Wanderers Grounds will be the place this weekend to see if they can keep Toronto at bay.

Vancouver FC (4th)

Playoff positions look pretty steady, but with six more games to play, they can't drop too many points if they want to avoid saving it for the last matchday.

I suspect it will be a knockdown, drag-out fight at Starlight this Saturday against Pacific.

Atletico Ottawa (3rd)

This was a tough week results-wise, but they get a chance to make it up at home against Supra. Like Vancouver, their position is probably safe. Probably. Most likely.

Forge (2nd)

Has the dizzy spell passed, and are we back to Forge battering opponents senseless?

The Saturday matchup against Cavalry has that "Finals preview" feel.

Cavalry (1st)

Cavalry is officially the first team to clinch their playoff access, meaning even if they lost every remaining game, nobody can push them out of the top four. With a four-point lead on Forge, they are also favoured for the Shield, and the matchup Saturday lets them cement that particular position directly.

We are closing in on the end of the season. Movement in the table is still possible, but it is requiring more and more heroic efforts at this point.

A good time to reflect on what you think will be the final table.

See you next week!