CANADIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2023

ATLETICO OTTAWA Manager: Carlos Gonzalez

Formed in 2020, they finished seventh and eighth respectively in their first two CPL campaigns. But last season saw a complete change of fortunes as they topped the regular season table before being beaten by Forge in the play-off final.

CAVALRY FC Manager: Tommy Wheeldon Jr.

In the inaugural campaign, they came top in the regular season but were beaten in the play-off final. They’ve always been in the regular season’s top three, but have fallen in the play-off semi-final the past two occasions – both times to the eventual champions.

FORGE FC Manager: Bobby Smyrniotis

The team to catch in the CPL, after reaching all four of the play-off finals so far and winning three of them, as well as being the league’s only team to reach a Canadian Championship final.

HFX WANDERERS Manager: Patrice Gheisar

Came second in both the regular season and play-offs in the shortened 2020 campaign but have struggled outside of that, coming seventh last term. The signing of Canada Under-20 forward Tiago Coimbra joining from Palmeiras is intriguing.

PACIFIC FC Manager: James Merriman

Their 2021 victory makes Pacific the only club outside of Forge FC to have won the North Star Shield, and they also reached the Canadian Championship semi-final that year. They will aim to return to that form despite Marco Bustos’ departure.

VALOUR FC Manager: Phillip Dos Santos

Looking for their first play-off appearance after finishing sixth in their first two seasons and fifth in the latest two. They will have to do so without the club’s all-time top goalscorer, New Zealand’s Moses Dyer, who joined USL Championship side FC Tulsa.

VANCOUVER FC Manager: Afshin Ghotbi

The expansion team keeps the CPL at eight clubs after FC Edmonton were dissolved, but will aim to do more than merely make up the numbers. Their first-ever signing was a statement, as keeper Callum Irving joined from British Columbia rivals Pacific FC.

YORK UNITED Manager: Martin Nash

Started out as York9 and were the first CPL team to be unveiled, before a rebranding in December 2020. Facilitated the CPL’s first European transfer when midfielder Emilio Estevez joined ADO Den Haag. Three more players have moved to Europe since last summer.