✍️ Ivan Sørensen
The world of football does not revolve only around the World Cup. We had some hot Canadian Premier League action going on as well. Grab a coffee or tea as we sit down and take stock of the league.
The games
The matches this week were spread across the entire week, beginning on Tuesday with a chaotic encounter that ended 5-3 in favour of Atlético Ottawa over FC Supra. Seven of those goals came in regulation time, meaning that statistically, if you got up for a sandwich and another beer, you probably missed one.
The midweek affair in Hamilton was a much more subdued contest as Halifax took another run at Forge. They did not win this one either, but came away having conceded only once as Forge had to settle for a 1-0 victory.
That same day at York Lions Stadium, Cavalry made a pretty definitive statement about where things stand between the two clubs, heading home with a 5-1 win over Inter Toronto.
Finally, Sunday in Langley brought us another edition of the BC derby, with Vancouver FC emerging as 2-1 winners over Pacific.
Standings
Let's look at the updated standings, which saw some movement across the table.
Pacific (8th — 3 points)
With the way things turned out, Pacific remain eight points behind a playoff spot, and a new-coach bounce seems unlikely. Is anyone confident they can make up a full eight or nine points on their competition over the next couple of months?
Especially after yet another game lost from a winning position?
Halifax Wanderers (7th — 9 points)
It feels like it has been the Forge gauntlet lately. A loss did little to change that perception, though it was the closest the Wanderers have come. Unfortunately, with Vancouver's win, Halifax slips to seventh place.
Vancouver FC (6th — 11 points)
The best last-place team in the world is climbing the standings. Sixth place, but only three points off third, is an interesting position to be in, especially if Nash can shore up results over the next handful of games.
Supra du Québec (5th — 11 points)
An absolute battle against Ottawa leaves Supra in fifth, tied with Vancouver on points. They find themselves in much the same position, with the middle of the table wide open over the next few matchdays, and they still retain an edge in goal scoring with double digits to their name.
Inter Toronto (4th — 12 points)
A good Toronto squad this year is not translating into results against the top sides, and Toronto find themselves clinging to the final playoff position. A bit of rest and recovery, and then the boys need to start finding results again to avoid a morale crash after that pasting.
Atlético Ottawa (3rd — 14 points)
The gap to Cavalry is looking pretty steep at nine points, especially with results having been more variable lately. Still, it feels like we are starting to see this Ottawa side hit its stride, and I am really curious to see what the next few rounds bring.
Cavalry (2nd — 23 points)
Cavalry have had a fantastic season, but the Shield race is now at the stage where it comes down to who blinks first, and it is unlikely to be Forge. Still, the Cavs lead the league in goals scored, especially when they come in batches of five.
Forge (1st — 25 points)
Forge have conceded as many goals this season as there were seasons of the TV show Farscape. They are not making any more Farscape, and Forge do not seem interested in conceding any more goals either.
What comes next?
Well, everyone gets a bit of much-deserved rest. Or perhaps everyone is trying to cram in four World Cup matches a day and having a grand old time.
Either way, no CPL games this week, so have fun, relax, and we will see you soon.
