One year ago, the Canadian Premier League was born. York9 FC and Forge FC players took to the pitch foe the league's inaugural match at Tim Hortons Field, likely with a few modest achievements in mind. After all, these teams had been tasked with popping the cap on a new league – getting through 90 minutes without a panic attack would be considered a job well done. Those two starting lineups that walked onto the field at 12:50 pm ET that day did exactly what they set out to do: To formally introduce the world to the CPL. Let’s review those 22 players who brought the Canadian Premier League to life. RELATED READING: CPL's inaugural game: Celebrating the 1-year anniversary of the league's kickoff
York9 FC

Nathan Ingham – GK
  • Re-signed with York9
  • Nominated as CPL Goalkeeper of the Year at Awards 2019
  • Made a league-high 89 saves across 26 starts
Justin Springer – DF
Luca Gasparotto – DF
Daniel Gogarty – DF
Kyle Porter – RM
  • Re-signed with York9
  • Y9’s inaugural signing brought experience to the York club en route to 25 appearances and two goals
Ryan Telfer – LM
  • Moved to Cypriot team Nea Salamis in January (has made two appearances)
  • On loan from Toronto FC, Telfer scored the first goal in CPL history on opening day
  • He made 26 appearances for Y9 in Year 1, scoring eight times
Joe Di Chiara – CM
Manny Aparicio (captain) – CM
  • Re-signed with York9
  • Given first red card in CPL history during the inaugural game
  • Made 31 league and CanChamp appearances for the Nine Stripes, wearing the captain’s armband in 30
Wataru Murofushi – CM
Cyrus Rollocks – ST
Simon Adjei – ST
  • Mutually parted ways with York9 in February, signed with Swedish side Assyriska IK soon after
  • Has yet to appear for Assyriska
  • First international signing in CPL history
  • Scored seven goals in 24 appearances for York9
Forge FC

Triston Henry – GK
  • Re-signed with Forge
  • Made 23 appearances as Forge’s no. 1 ‘keeper
  • Held on for two clean sheets in Finals 2019
Jonathan Grant – RB
  • Re-signed with Forge
  • Recovered from inaugural game injury to make 10 starts in the CPL Fall season, scoring one goal
Elimane Cisse – CB
  • Re-signed with Forge
  • Started in the centre of defence on opening day, went on to feature as a midfielder and striker
  • Made 25 appearances for Forge, scoring two goals and adding two assists
Dominic Samuel – CB
  • Re-signed with Forge
  • Started as a centre back but appeared 27 more times, including at both fullback positions
Kwame Awuah – LB
Giuliano Frano – CM
  • Re-signed with Forge
  • Alternate captain Frano emerged as a key water carrier for Forge, played in all but five matches
Kyle Bekker (captain) – CM
  • Re-signed with Forge
  • Nominated for CPL Player of the Year at Awards 2019
  • Received a retroactive ban after elbowing Joe Di Chiara in the inaugural game
Alexander Achinioti-Jonsson – CM
Chris Nanco – LW
  • Re-signed with Forge
  • Set up the deciding goal in Finals 2019
  • Scored winning goal in Forge’s Concacaf League Leg 1 win over CD Olimpia
Emery Welshman – ST
  • Moved to Israeli club Hapoel Haifa in August, currently with Bnei Sakhnin
  • Scored three goals in 11 appearances for Forge
  • Attempted the first bicycle kick in CPL history, assisted Kadell Thomas’ opening day goal
Tristan Borges – RW
  • Sold to Oud-Heverlee Leuven in Belgium, first CPLer to move to Europe
  • CPL Player of the Year, Golden Boot winner, Best Canadian Under-21 winner
  • Scored 13 goals for Forge in 2019

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