Welcome to CPL50, a series where we’ll reveal the top 50 players from the 2021 Canadian Premier League regular season, as voted on by a panel of coaches from all eight teams and media from OneSoccer and CanPL.ca. For more information on the voting process and method, click here.
Petrasso is one of the most creative players in the CPL, which he proved with his five assists this season. He made appearances this year on the wing and more centrally as a number 10 for York, helping create many of their most dangerous chances all year. He also provided two goals of his own in the regular season, as well as this gorgeous chip in the CPL semi-final to equalize against Forge: Petrasso first signed for York before the 2020 season, but injuries at the Island Games meant he never quite took root in the squad. This year, though -- with his fitness boosted by a loan stint over the winter at Barnet in England -- he became an integral part of the attack for Jimmy Brennan's side. The Toronto-born attacker has an impressive resume built over the years; he spent several years in the English Championship with Queens Park Rangers before a few loan stints in League One, as well as a decent year in MLS with the Montreal Impact (now CF Montreal). His first stop in the CPL was at Valour FC in 2019, but he signed with York the following off-season. Petrasso also has nine Canadian national team caps under his belt, making him easily one of York's most experienced players.
The rest of the CPL50 countdown is available here. Five more players will be revealed per day until December 22.
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