We return to the Canadian Premier League for week eight. Each week, we’ll discuss the games played the past weekend, the current league table, and the upcoming encounters, giving you a one-stop-shop where you can keep up on events and hear a bit of analysis.
Halifax vs. Ottawa (2-0)
The contest for the top rank always raises a number of questions: We have seen both teams play in certain ways, and there are only so many ways to combine the lego pieces that make up two opposing football teams.
As it would turn out, the Wanderers went into the match fully ready for a battle, while Ottawa was a bit slow out of the gates. At times it felt like Halifax might have snuck a few extra players on the pitch, as there were almost always a spare pair of boots on hand to turn every 1 v 1 into a 2 v 1.
As a result, Ottawa had immense difficulties making anything happen in the opposing half of the pitch, creating only 2 shots (for the fans of xG they tallied a total of 0.08 in that half) and losing 70% of challenges.
However, disarming an attack is one thing, you also have to turn it into results at the other end, and Ottawa is not a push over when it comes to defence. It would not be until the second half when Thomas Meilleur-Giguere and Tiago Coimbra each scored, producing a convincing 2-0 victory.
An excellent example of a team preparing for the exact opponent they are going to play and getting inside their decision making cycle, preventing them from ever deploying their tactics.
Pacific vs. Forge (0-1)
With a difficult run behind them, Pacific would be eager to make something of the day, and they went into the first half strong, pushing up against a Forge side that seemed content to take it a bit easier, holding on to the ball to try and play it up.
This largely negated the ability of Forge to make much play in the opposing half, as their few forays up the pitch rarely lasted long, but their famous defence held just fine, and Pacific failed to find the mark in the first 45, despite 3 shots being on target.
The second half saw a more even contest, with Forge still stymied but managing a few more chances at the far end. It seems that half time helped them reorganize themselves a bit mentally, allowing to take more control of the game and contest better against a Pacific side that was perhaps wearing out a bit.
As the minutes ticked away, the salvation for fans waiting came at 89 minutes as Hoce Massunda was able to receive a corner and score. The situation leading to the corner was a bit of a muddle, with questions about whether it was called correctly, leaving a bit of a bitter taste in the mouth of Pacific fans no doubt.
As it was, victory would go to Forge.
York vs. Vancouver (1-0)
A windy day produced some uneven play, as York and Vancouver took on each other. York seized the initiative right from the start and kept up a steady passing game, trying to maintain control and defang the occasional foray from Elage Bah up the left flank. Those attempts were not generally sustained, nor supported in the penalty box, allowing York to defend with relative ease.
York may have had the ball under their control, but they likewise struggled to score with, Julian Altobelli claiming his sixth season goal as the one shining moment, while a few more opportunities slipped away. Altogether it felt like York was missing a bit of forward momentum to take advantage of their midfield strength.
The second half saw Vancouver regroup and perform in a much more coordinated way, while York increasingly held on, trying to defend the single goal lead as there was evidently not much more to be had.
Parking the bus with a 1 goal lead is a risky business, as Vancouver gained a number of shots (2 in the first half, 10 in the second) but the entire match saw only a single shot on target. What was on target was a lot of kicks, leg swipes and shoves, with 7 yellow cards handed out as the game got increasingly scrappy and chippy.
At the end of no less than 101 minutes, York would take up 3 points, however.
Cavalry vs. Valour (4-0)
Valour has hardly had an easy starting campaign, with only a single win and a draw to give them any points. They opened the game determined to make a statement about their future plans, and despite an early Cavs’ goal, they can be said to have played a very solid half of football, with a series of chances created while holding Cavalry off the ball much of the time.
I don’t know if I would say it was their best half of the campaign, but it was certainly a sign of what the team CAN be, perhaps still riding high on having gone toe to toe with the mighty Whitecaps. Cavalry felt, if not shocked, decidedly on a back foot throughout the half, and their legitimate chances could be counted on one hand, though they never felt routed or demoralized. It is tempting to say in hindsight they were biding their time.
The second half, however, would see the Valour effort collapse, as Cavalry came out much stronger and pushed their players forward much more aggressively, with Ali Musse and Tobias Warschewski playing a key role. Double goals came at the 61 and 69 minute marks, sealing the deal. A final goal in stoppage time only cemented the defeat for Valour. I think the stats actually tell the tale to some extent with Valour having 57% possession in the first half, while Cavalry had 59% possession for the entire game.
The Golden Boot
So far, the Golden Boot race is as follows:
6 Goals – Salter (Ottawa), Altobelli (York)
5 Goals – Warschewski (Cavalry)
4 Goals – Musse (Cavalry), Rodriguez (Ottawa)
3 Goals – Bitar (York), Coimbra (Wanderers), Santos (Ottawa), Zanatta (Pacific)
Altobelli moves up to keep Salter company, while Warschewski is close behind at 5 goals. Who will be the first to 10?
Up Next
It gets cozy at the top, as Wanderers advance to 17 points and slip into the number 1 spot, with Ottawa dropping to number 2. Remember in CPL head-to-head results are tie breakers before goal differential is factored in. Cavalry and Forge both retain their positions and keep pace relative to each other with 13 points each. Pacific remains at 7 points with York (also at 7) now jostling to overtake them. In 7th we find Vancouver at 5 points, and Valour pulls up the rear at 4 points.
Friday the 30th Vancouver FC will take on Ottawa. The last time they met, it was a rough time for the Eagles, with Ottawa taking the win 4 to 1. This weekend shows Ottawa can be hassled, but will Vancouver be able to put up that kind of performance?
The 31st has Forge playing Cavalry and York playing Halifax. Cavalry and Forge met on match day 1 and the result was a modest 1-0 win for Forge. The two are neck and neck in the standings and both have strong defensive records, but Cavalry also has the second most goals scored of any team in the league. Definitely a game where anything can happen.
Wanderers are on a strong streak and are coming into this match with the last outing against York resulting in a 2-1 win. Favourites are clearly the Wanderers, but York has scored twice against both Forge and Ottawa this season. I think it would be a mistake to count them out.
The 1st sees Valour play Pacific. Pacific won the match day 1 contest 2-0, and will no doubt be looking to use this as a chance to gain ground on the top 4 spots. However, when you compare goals scored and conceded, very little separates the two teams. Valour may well turn this into an opportunity if they can regain their bearings.