We made it folks! The last weekend and the last CPL Corner of the regular season is upon us.

What a season it’s been: Kris Twardek’s opening day winner, Vancouver and Cavalry playing the Apple Bowl in Kelowna, Shola Jimoh turning heads at 16, Callum Irving’s 11 save performance and more Olimpicos are all part of the best season of the CPL yet. 

And now we’ve arrived at the final weekend- the CPL’s own version of Decision Day. Jour de Décision, if you will, since this is Canada (even if there is no Quebec-based club in the league yet). We’re going to see all eight clubs in action at the same time on Saturday afternoon between OneSoccer’s app and YouTube channel. 

Some of our questions have been answered. Forge will finish the season atop the table, York will host the 4-5 playoff game, and Halifax will not be playing any more football in 2024 after this weekend.

For the other five teams, there are still lots of scenarios in play that will determine who Forge and York will host next week.

For Cavalry, the goal is simple: Win. They currently hold a two point edge over Atletico Ottawa for second place on the table. A win on the road in Winnipeg or an Ottawa loss/draw guarantees Calgary a spot in the semi-finals, and a chance to host the Final.

Atletico, much like Cavalry, have clinched a quarter-final berth but if they want to avoid having to go on the road twice to win the North Star Cup, they will need to beat a desperate Vancouver side and will need  Valour (also fighting to extend their season) to get a result against the Cavs. 

Pacific looked to be heading off a cliff down the standings, but an injection of goals thanks to trade acquisition Moses Dyer suddenly has the Tridents in control of their own fate. Pacific can clinch 5th place with a win vs Forge or a VFC loss/draw mixed with: A draw, A Valour loss/draw, A Valour win (if the combined goal difference of Valour & Forge is 3 or less.) 

Confused yet?

Vancouver FC still have a chance, despite the fact their winless streak has extended to seven bloody matches. For the Eagles to make the playoffs, they need to go into TD Place and beat Atletico and need Forge to take points away from Pacific.

The Little Winnipegers That Could still hold the slightest of chances to qualify, but like we saw while talking about Pacific, Valour needs nothing short of a miracle to sneak into the playoffs for the very first time in club history. Valour will need three things to happen: 1) Beat Cavalry. 2) A Vancouver loss/draw vs Ottawa. 3) Pacific loss vs Forge (plus combined margin of victory is more than four.)

I have no doubts we will see twists to the tale on Saturday afternoon. Aside from the York/Wanderers match, every match has playoff implications.

What are your predictions? How do you think the playoffs will shape up? 

I hope I can focus on four games at once.