February 15, 2019...What's done, what's left? A look at CPL roster needs as preseason looms (from york9fc.canplca.ca)
What’s done, what’s left? A look at CPL roster needs as preseason looms 2019-02-15 by Kurt Larson and Armen Bedakian The Canadian Premier League’s inaugural rosters are fast taking shape, as the seven founding clubs look to fill their rosters ahead of kick-off on April 27. With preseason just around the corner, a total of 86 player signings have already been announced. That’s just about the midway point of the 160-something total players expected to be signed for the 2019 season, which, logically, allows us something of a half-look at how each of the club bosses are building their teams. Here’s how each team’s roster is shaping up (so far): Pacific FC Players signed: 10 Canadians: 9 Internationals: 1 GK: Mark Village DF: Kadin Chung, Matthew Baldisimo MF: Noah Verhoeven, Alessandro Hojabrpour, Victor Blasco, Ben Fisk, Terran Campbell, Jose Hernandez FW: Marcus Haber The lowdown: Plenty of west-coast talent makes up the Pacific FC roster so far – almost to the point of the roster being exclusively staffed by B.C.-based talent – but balance is the strength boasted most by Michael Silberbauer’s team so far as he’s found enough interesting players to build out his first starting XI … though defensively, the team still needs a few players. The holes: There are probably a few more defenders on the cards for Pacific FC, unless the 2-5-3 formation is preferred by the club’s Danish tactician. We doubt it, though. The top three: Marcus Haber, Ben Fisk, Kadin Chung. FC Edmonton Players signed: 13 Canadians: 8 Internationals: 5 GK: Dylon Powley, Connor James DF: Kareem Moses, Ramon Soria, Allan Zebie MF: Son Yongchan, Jay Khabra, Edem Mortotsi, Bruno Zebie FW: Randy Edwini-Bonsu, Tomi Ameobi, Oumar Diouck, Ajeej Sarkaria The lowdown: Young and local is the mantra at FC Edmonton, according to head coach Jeff Paulus, and you can’t really blame the man who built the club’s academy for putting faith in the products of his work; as such, there are a few familiar faces making up this internationally-heavy outfit, though that, again, is to be expected – there’s history in this new-look squad. The holes: Generally solid across all fronts, though the Eddies are still without a pair of central defenders who can start week-in and week-out. The top three: Randy Edwini-Bonsu, Allan Zebie, Son Yongchan. Cavalry FC Players signed: 14 Canadians: 11 Internationals: 3 GK: Marco Carducci, Niko Giantsopoulos DF: Dominick Zator, Chris Serban, Dean Northover, Nik Ledgerwood, Joel Waterman MF: Elijah Adekugbe, Sergio Camargo, Carlos Patino, Julian Buscher FW: Oliver Minatel, Nico Pasquotti, Jordan Brown The lowdown: You could be forgiven for seeing plenty of similarities to the Calgary Foothills in Tommy Wheeldon Jr.’s current squad – it’s all by design. Wheeldon Jr. has quietly built the makings of a CPL club over the previous three years, and dominated in USL League Two with one eye to the future. Now? It’s all come together wonderfully in Calgary. The holes: There are still a few areas that Wheeldon Jr. will look to reinforce, particularly up top where a central goal-scoring figure would do wonders for his side. The top three: Nik Ledgerwood, Sergio Camargo, Julian Buscher. Valour FC Players signed: 12 Canadians: 9 Internationals: 3 GK: Mathias Janssens, Tyson Farago DF: Jordan Murrell, Skylar Thomas, Raphael Garcia MF: Raphael Ohin, Dylan Sacramento, Dylan Carreiro, Josip Golubar FW: Tyler Attardo, Glenn Muenkat, Stephen Hoyle The lowdown: Credit coach Rob Gale for using his extensive network to bring in talent from across Canada and abroad. Valour’s spine is all but locked in, with Tyson Farago, Skylar Thomas, Josip Golubar and Stephen Hoyle offering experience from back to front. Can former Canadian youth internationals Dylan Sacramento and Dylan Carreiro perform at the next level? The holes: The well-balanced Manitobans are lacking depth in midfield and defence. Gale’s squad could use a dynamic winger, too. The top three: Skylar Thomas, Josip Golubar, Stephen Hoyle. Forge FC Players signed: 8 Canadians: 6 Internationals: 2 GK: None DF: Bertrand Owundi Eko, Kwame Awuah MF: Kyle Bekker, Tristan Borges, Alexander Achinioti Jonsson, Giuliano Frano FW: Marcel Zajac, Chris Nanco The lowdown: Methodical as ever, coach Bobby Smyrniotis has a collection of experienced players who’ve been involved in MLS setups. The league’s most incomplete roster to date is full of intrigue, though, as talented, young attacking players like Marcel Zajac and Chris Nanco attempt to prove they’re among the league’s elite going forward. Something of an unknown, Swedish midfielder Alexander Achinioti Jonsson rounds out an impressive midfield spearheaded by Bekker, who opposing coaches have referred to as a top signing in the league. The holes: Forge FC is in good shape, but currently lack quite a bit at the back. Bringing in players – like a goalkeeper – to support the league’s top attacking unit (on paper) will be paramount. Top three: Kyle Bekker, Kwame Awuah, Chris Nanco. York9 FC Players signed: 17 Canadians: 15 Internationals: 2 GK: Matt Silva DF: Luca Gasparotto, Mores Doner, Justin Springer, Daniel Gogarty, Roger Thompson, Steven Furlano MF: Joseph Di Chiara, Wataru Murofushi, Manuel Aparicio, Kyle Porter, Munir Saleh, Emilio Estevez FW: Austin Ricci, Cyrus Rollocks, Simon Adjei, Michael Cox The lowdown: The Nine Stripes are nearing capacity following a targeted approach that picked off top players from the Greater Toronto Area. Coach Jimmy Brennan has quietly put together a tidy midfield, featuring Joe Di Chiara, Wataru Murofushi and Manuel Aparicio — all three of who bring overseas experience. Luca Gasparotto is an impressive addition at the back while Brennan also made sure to bring in veteran heads in Roger Thompson and Kyle Porter. The holes: A nearly full York9 roster will need some fine-tuning. Can Simon Adjei be relied upon to find goals outside of Sweden? The top three: Roger Thompson, Wataru Murofushi, Kyle Porter. HFX Wanderers Players signed: 11 Canadians: 7 Internationals: 4 GK: Jan-Michael Williams DF: Ndzemdzela Langwa, Chrisnovic N’sa, Chakib Hocine, Zachary Sukunda, Elton John MF: Elliot Simmons, Andre Rampersad, Scott Firth, Akeem Garcia FW: Vincent Lamy The lowdown: Coach Stephen Hart vowed to build from back to front, beginning with an experienced ‘keeper in Jan-Michael Williams, one the most experienced players league-wide. The CPL’s most experienced bench boss bolstered his back line and midfield with a trio of Trinidadians one league talent evaluator promised will turn heads. What’s more, Zachary Sukunda and Chakib Hocine will be relied on to shore things up as Hart turns his attention to the front end of his lineup. The holes: Who scores the goals? A lack of attacking prowess will need to be addressed as pre-season approaches. The top three: Jan-Michael Williams, Zachary Sukunda, Elton John.
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