We’re now in the home stretch of the CPL season, and while the teams that will make the playoffs are starting to take a little more shape, where most clubs will finish at this point is still anybody’s guess. 

Every team has seven matches left except the teams at the bottom. For Pacific and Halifax, picking up three points against the other in that game-in-hand is crucial to have any chance at playoff football. 

I’ve said it a number of times over the course of 20 CPL Corners, but season six of the league has been, without a doubt, the best season up to date. The amount of young talent this year is wonderful to see and if the league keeps up this momentum, it’s going to mean big things going forward.

I made some predictions at the beginning of the season, and while there are still some games for things to change, let’s look back at those and see if I was right.

Biggest Disappointment 

Preseason pick – Valour, As It Stands – Pacific

To be fair to Valour,  going into the season  the bar was set incredibly low so having called them the “biggest disappointment” was a bit unfair. The Winnipegers have had stretches where they’ve looked strong and being 6th in the table is two higher than expected right now. As for Pacific, I had them missing the playoffs but 14 goals through 20 matches is simply unacceptable. They haven’t scored a goal in a whopping 538 minutes in all competitions. This team was second in 2023 with 42 goals so this lack of offense is nothing short of disappointing. 

Biggest Surprise

Preseason pick – Vancouver FC, As It Stands – Vancouver FC

I said the Eagles would reach the playoffs in year two and at this current time, they are  sitting 5th in the table, exactly where I had them. But things have not been smooth by any standards- Inconsistent play, poor defending and no players who have been able to consistently control games in the midfield. Outside of Paris Gee,  the BC players have not produced. There’s no guarantee they hold onto the final playoff spot.

Carrie Ryan’s Darkhorse

Preseason pick – Halifax Wanderers, As It Stands – York United

I included Halifax in my preseason CPL Corner to keep the boss happy. But I really did see Halifax as a major player in the regular season. My preseason prediction had them finishing 3rd in the table, but they sit in a deadlock at the bottom. Not winning until their 10th game has made the Wanderers play catch-up all season long. On the flip side, I had York finishing 7th but they are nearly a lock for the playoffs right now. Brian Wright is a MVP front-runner, but aside from him you don’t find York players at the top of any statistics. They aren’t a flashy team, but they are a well-oiled machine under new leadership and could cause problems come playoff time.

CPL Shield 

Preseason Pick – Atletico Ottawa, As It Stands – Forge FC

My preseason pick was looking like an absolute slam dunk in the first half of the year. Atletico were simply on another level but have found themselves in a downward spiral, struggling to find their identity again. But the defending champions are on a mission to continue to show the rest of the league they are the top dogs. A deep run to the Canadian Championship semi-finals and only one league loss in their last 10 matches has the Hammers in the drivers seat to win yet another trophy.

North Star Cup

Preseason Pick – Cavalry FC, As It Stands – Cavalry FC

Opposite from my pick for the Shield, things were looking bleak for the team I picked to finally win the North Star Cup. The Cavs simply could not find a way to win a match,were consistently giving up points and ending games in draws. But now, Tommy Wheeldon Jr’s side seems to have turned the corner. Unbeaten in seven with five straight wins during that time and they’ve only lost THREE matches all season long. With the league’s best defense and Daan Klomp playing at his MVP level once again, this team looks damn dangerous and I’m sticking with them as my pick for the champs.

What do you think is going to change in the final quarter of the season? Will VFC drop the 5th playoff spot, will anyone overtake Forge up top? Who will win the golden boot and MVP? I can’t wait to find out.