It is an all-Ontario clash at York Lions Stadium as Inter Toronto take on Atlético Ottawa.

This marks the first meeting between the two sides since September’s 2-2 draw, when Inter Toronto were still competing as York United FC.

With a win each to start the season, the hosts will look to solidify their place in the playoff spots, while Atlético Ottawa aim to break into the top four.

How Inter Toronto come into the match

Friday’s home side remains unbeaten this season, with a win over Vancouver FC and draws against Halifax and Cavalry.

Most recently, it was honours even in Calgary, where Tomasz Skublak found the equalizer to earn a point at ATCO Field, a venue where they have historically struggled.

Tomasz Skublak with the NO-LOOK finish! 🤯👀

Skublak gets creative in the box, flicking home a header to equalize for @inter__toronto. #CPLSoccer | 📺: @onesoccer pic.twitter.com/MCSw36Ymi8

— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) April 25, 2026

How Atlético Ottawa come into the match

For Atlético Ottawa, it has been a tougher start to the season. It is not necessarily a poor return by most standards, but for the reigning champions, it falls short of expectations.

On Sunday, the club from the nation’s capital rescued a point late at home against bottom-of-the-table Vancouver FC. It was another match where they struggled to generate consistent attacking threat, something that is quickly becoming a pattern early in the campaign.

That said, context matters. Their opening two matches came away from home against two of the league’s strongest sides in Forge and Cavalry, so it would be premature to be overly critical.

Head coach Diego Mejía offered an interesting perspective during his Thursday media availability, noting that opponents sitting in low blocks is a sign that “teams around the league accept that we are better than them.”

Diego Mejía on opposing CPL teams setting up in low blocks against Atlético Ottawa:

"Now, all the teams around the league accept that we are better than them, that we are going to have the ball more time. They're going to rest in defence all the time."

— Charlie O'Connor-Clarke (@charliejclarke) April 30, 2026

As the season begins to take shape, Ottawa will need to turn that respect into results. If they are to remain among the league’s elite, they must show they belong back on the podium, where they have consistently been in recent years.

Last time out

It was a 2-2 draw at York Lions Stadium last year, when Inter Toronto was known as York United. Sam Salter, the reigning MVP and Golden Boot winner, scored twice for Atlético Ottawa, while Steffen Yeates and Frank Sturing converted for the Nine Stripes.

A familiar face

Ollie Bassett, now an Inter Toronto player, featured for Atlético Ottawa from 2022 to 2024, winning the MVP and Players' Player of the Year awards in his first year.

Availability

Inter Toronto will be without Kembo Kibato due to visa issues, while Oswaldo León still has one match left to serve from a suspension dating back to last season.

For Atlético Ottawa, there was relief on the injury front as Santiago López has been cleared to play, according to the Canadian Premier League. The attacker was forced off in last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Vancouver FC after a knock that required a stretcher, but he is now available for selection.

Elsewhere, Erling Myklebust is listed as day-to-day with an injury, while Richie Ennin has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with an ACL injury.

Projected XIs

Inter Toronto (3-4-3): Diego Urtiaga; Luke Singh, Carlos Guzmán, Frank Sturing; Shola Jimoh, Steffen Yeates, Luca Accettola, Max Ferrari; Beni Badibanga, Julian Altobelli, Gabriel Bitar

Atlético Ottawa (3-4-2-1): Garissone Innocent; Loïc Cloutier, Noah Abatneh, Sergei Kozlovskiy; Joaquim Coulanges, Juan 'Coque' Castro, Manuel Aparicio, Jean-Aniel Assi; Kamron Habibullah, Santiago López, Ballou Tabla

Game information and how to watch

📆 Friday, May 1, 2026
⏰ 7:30 pm ET / 4:30 pm PT
📺 OneSoccer
🧑‍⚖️ TBA
🏟 York Lions Stadium, Toronto, Canada