Atletico Ottawa striker Sam Salter claimed the 2025 CPL Golden Boot Award on Saturday, setting a new single-season record with 19 goals scored in regular season play.
Salter was a driving force behind Atleti’s composed and consistent campaign. The 25-year-old forward surpassed João Morelli’s previous record of 14 goals set in 2021 and established a new benchmark for the most matches with at least one goal (14), breaking the previous mark of 12 held by Easton Ongaro (2021), Rubén del Campo (2024) and Tristan Borges (2019).
One of the defining moments of Salter’s season came on May 10, 2025, when he scored four goals in a 5–2 win over Valour FC at TD Place Stadium, setting another league record for the most goals scored by a single player in a match.
The native of Laval, Que. becomes the first Atlético Ottawa player to win the Golden Boot award outright. Former Atleti teammate Ollie Bassett shared the honour with Cavalry FC’s Myer Bevan in 2023.
Salter’s Golden Boot achievement will be recognized at the 2025 CPL Awards ceremony on Friday, Nov. 7, where he will be presented with the Nikisuittuq statue, a unique piece of Inuit soapstone art conceived by artist Pitseolak Qimirpik and awarded annually to the league’s top scorer.
