CanPL.ca's power rankings must carry on even if matches aren't being played in the Canadian Premier League at the moment because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week's Football Manager 20 simulation saw York9 FC take over the top spot over Cavalry FC. Using Edward Hon-Sing Wong’s Canadian Megapatch, which adds Atlético Ottawa into the mix and makes crucial roster additions to the game, we've simulated another matchweek. Just an FYI, FM20 does not feature real-life schedules, so we're following a random set of matches up to June 8, 2020. Let's see where all eight CPL clubs sit. SELF-ISOLATION HELP: 10 soccer books to read || 7 CPL matches to re-watch || 5 soccer movies to check out
MOVEMENT:
+2 Last week: No. 3 Record: 5-4-2
Atlético Ottawa has surprisingly hit the CPL summit after a 3-1 road victory over last week’s top dogs York9 FC. The only CPL club on a winning streak, Ottawa ended The Nines Stripes’ four-match unbeaten run with some stellar defending against an explosive attacking line. Mista’s virtual group is just a point out of the playoffs, with a match against lowly FC Edmonton coming next. Upcoming Matches: FC Edmonton (H), HFX Wanderers (H)
Cavalry FC stays put at No. 2 after a nip-and-tuck nil-nil draw with HFX Wanderers. A disappointing result – and their second draw in a row – but Cavalry is now unbeaten in eight, leaving Tommy Wheeldon Jr.'s side firmly atop the CPL standings.
Upcoming Matches: Pacific FC (H), FC Edmonton (H)
MOVEMENT:
-2 Last week: No. 1 Record: 6-3-2
Also firmly in playoff contention, York9 FC’s aforementioned home slip-up against Ottawa is worrying. Does this virtual squad have the fortitude required for a CPL title run? It’ll be put to the test in the coming weeks with away dates to Valour FC and Pacific FC. Upcoming Matches: Valour FC (A), Pacific FC (A)
MOVEMENT: – Last week: No. 4 Record: 5-3-3
The Tridents remain rooted in fourth after their 2-0 win over Valour FC. PFC’s excellent Mo Babouli-Terran Campbell striker partnership provided the goals in the win at Westhills Stadium – the club's 11th straight match where they found the back of the net. Upcoming Matches: Cavalry FC (A), York9 FC (H)
The Wanderers stay in fifth in the power rankings, just as they do in the CPL standings. Stephen Hart's red-hot team grabbed a tough draw with league leaders Cavalry, continuing Halifax’s meteoric rise from early wooden spoon contenders to battling for the final playoff spot. Upcoming Matches: Forge FC (H), Atlético Ottawa (A)
MOVEMENT: – Last week: No. 6 Record: 3-5-3
Valour FC’s brutal 2-0 loss away to Pacific encapsulates Rob Gale’s simulated 2020 season perfectly; several quality chances and a leaky defence. The Winnipeggers have kept just one clean sheet through 11 matches. Upcoming Matches: York9 FC (H), Forge FC (H)
MOVEMENT:
+1 Last week: No. 8 Record: 3-5-3
The Eddies snapped their five-game losing streak with a 1-1 draw vs. lowly Forge. Tomi Ameobi found the back of the net for FCE – the first goal by Eddies in three matches and their first from a forward since April 22.
Upcoming Matches: Atlético Ottawa (A), Cavalry FC (A)
MOVEMENT:
-1 Last week: No. 7 Record: 1-6-4
A docile Forge side drops to the bottom after trading blows with FC Edmonton in a toothless, bottom-of-the-table draw. Golden boot-leading Anthony Novak seems to be the lone bright spot for Forge after adding his fifth marker of the season. Upcoming Matches: HFX Wanderers (A), Valour FC (A)
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1. Atlético Ottawa
MOVEMENT:
Atlético Ottawa has surprisingly hit the CPL summit after a 3-1 road victory over last week’s top dogs York9 FC. The only CPL club on a winning streak, Ottawa ended The Nines Stripes’ four-match unbeaten run with some stellar defending against an explosive attacking line. Mista’s virtual group is just a point out of the playoffs, with a match against lowly FC Edmonton coming next. Upcoming Matches: FC Edmonton (H), HFX Wanderers (H)
2. Cavalry FC
MOVEMENT: – Last week: No. 2 Record: 6-1-4
Cavalry FC stays put at No. 2 after a nip-and-tuck nil-nil draw with HFX Wanderers. A disappointing result – and their second draw in a row – but Cavalry is now unbeaten in eight, leaving Tommy Wheeldon Jr.'s side firmly atop the CPL standings.
Upcoming Matches: Pacific FC (H), FC Edmonton (H)
3. York9 FC
MOVEMENT:
Also firmly in playoff contention, York9 FC’s aforementioned home slip-up against Ottawa is worrying. Does this virtual squad have the fortitude required for a CPL title run? It’ll be put to the test in the coming weeks with away dates to Valour FC and Pacific FC. Upcoming Matches: Valour FC (A), Pacific FC (A)
4. Pacific FC
MOVEMENT: – Last week: No. 4 Record: 5-3-3
The Tridents remain rooted in fourth after their 2-0 win over Valour FC. PFC’s excellent Mo Babouli-Terran Campbell striker partnership provided the goals in the win at Westhills Stadium – the club's 11th straight match where they found the back of the net. Upcoming Matches: Cavalry FC (A), York9 FC (H)
5. HFX Wanderers FC
MOVEMENT: – Last week: No. 5 Record: 4-6-1
The Wanderers stay in fifth in the power rankings, just as they do in the CPL standings. Stephen Hart's red-hot team grabbed a tough draw with league leaders Cavalry, continuing Halifax’s meteoric rise from early wooden spoon contenders to battling for the final playoff spot. Upcoming Matches: Forge FC (H), Atlético Ottawa (A)
6. Valour FC
MOVEMENT: – Last week: No. 6 Record: 3-5-3
Valour FC’s brutal 2-0 loss away to Pacific encapsulates Rob Gale’s simulated 2020 season perfectly; several quality chances and a leaky defence. The Winnipeggers have kept just one clean sheet through 11 matches. Upcoming Matches: York9 FC (H), Forge FC (H)
7. FC Edmonton
MOVEMENT:
The Eddies snapped their five-game losing streak with a 1-1 draw vs. lowly Forge. Tomi Ameobi found the back of the net for FCE – the first goal by Eddies in three matches and their first from a forward since April 22.
Upcoming Matches: Atlético Ottawa (A), Cavalry FC (A)
8. Forge FC
MOVEMENT:
A docile Forge side drops to the bottom after trading blows with FC Edmonton in a toothless, bottom-of-the-table draw. Golden boot-leading Anthony Novak seems to be the lone bright spot for Forge after adding his fifth marker of the season. Upcoming Matches: HFX Wanderers (A), Valour FC (A)
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