OTTAWA, ON - Atlético Ottawa has four players nominated for the 2025 Canadian Premier League (CPL) Player’s Player of the Year award.
Forwards Ballou Tabla, David Rodríguez and Samuel Salter, as well as midfielder Manu Aparicio, have been selected as finalists following a vote by their peers across the CPL.
The Players’ Player of the Year shortlist recognizes the best players of the 2025 CPL Regular Season as judged by their peers. Each CPL player is asked to provide a three-man shortlist, and that voting is subsequently used to determine the 10 finalists, as well as the ultimate winner.
Players are not able to vote for themselves or include a teammate on their ballot. The winner will be revealed at an in-person ceremony in Ottawa, Ont. on Friday, Nov. 7 as part of the 2025 CPL Final festivities.
Ten players from five CPL clubs were named the 10-man shortlist for Players’ Player of the Year:
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Julian Altobelli, York United FC
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Nana Ampomah, Forge FC
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Manuel Aparicio, Atlético Ottawa
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Kyle Bekker, Forge FC
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Tiago Coimbra, Halifax Wanderers FC
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Ali Musse, Cavalry FC
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Daniel Nimick, Forge FC
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David Rodríguez, Atlético Ottawa
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Samuel Salter, Atlético Ottawa
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Ballou Tabla, Atlético Ottawa
Voting for the Players’ Player of the Year award is based on performances during the 2025 CPL Regular Season, not including the TELUS Canadian Championship, Concacaf Champions Cup or 2025 CPL Playoffs action.
The winner of the Players’ Player of the Year award will receive a unique piece of Inuit soapstone art, conceived and carved by artist Ruben Komangapik. The Muskox statue was chosen to honour the Players’ Player of the Year award winner because the animal earns the respect of his herd through his leadership and organization, and gains recognition from his peers for his commanding presence in the heat of battle.
The 2025 CPL Awards ceremony will be broadcast live on dedicated soccer channel OneSoccer beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT, with appearances by OneSoccer personalities, current and former CPL players and coaches, as well as special guests from the Canadian soccer community.
Atlético today defeated Forge FC in the Championship Semi-Final in Hamilton to bring a second Canadian Premier League Final to the nation’s capital. Atleti hosted the 2022 CPL Final at TD Place against Forge in front of almost 15,000 fans.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster, at the TD Place Box Office or by contacting Atlético Ottawa.
Click here to read the full match recap from Atlético’s thrilling Semi-Final victory over Forge.
Having been defeated, Forge will now host the Contender Semi-Final next weekend against the winner of Cavalry FC v York United (match underway, live on TSN and OneSoccer).
The winner of the Contender Semi-Final will travel to TD Place and face Atlético Ottawa in the 2025 Canadian Premier League Final on Sunday, November 9 (KO 5pm ET, live on OneSoccer).
Media credential applications for the Canadian Premier League Final must be submitted through the Canadian Premier League. Click here for more information.
2025 Canadian Premier League Playoffs:
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Final: Atlético Ottawa v Winner of Contender Semi-Final
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Date: Saturday, November 9 (KO 5pm ET)
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Location: TD Place, Ottawa, ON
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Championship Semi-Final: Forge FC 1-2 Atlético Ottawa
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Date: Sunday, October 26 (KO 14h ET)
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Location: Hamilton Stadium, Hamilton, ON
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Contender Semi-Final: Forge FC v Cavalry FC
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Date: Saturday, November 1 or Sunday, November 2
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Location: Hamilton Stadium, Hamilton, ON
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Quarter-Final: Cavalry FC 4-1 York United FC
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Date: Sunday, October 26 (KO 6pm ET)
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Location: Spruce Meadows, Calgary, AB
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Knockout Match: Halifax Wanderers FC 2-2 York United FC (York win 5-4 on penalties)
