One year ago, the Canadian Premier League was born. York9 FC and Forge FC players took to the pitch foe the league’s inaugural match at Tim Hortons Field, likely with a few modest achievements in mind. After all, these teams had been tasked with popping the cap on a new league – getting through 90 minutes without a panic attack would be considered a job well done. Those two starting lineups that walked onto the field at 12:50 pm ET that day did exactly what they set out to do: To formally introduce the world to the CPL. Let’s review those 22 players who brought the Canadian Premier League to life.
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York9 FC
Nathan Ingham – GK
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Nominated as CPL Goalkeeper of the Year at Awards 2019
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Made a league-high 89 saves across 26 starts
Justin Springer – DF
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Made 11 appearances for the Nines
Luca Gasparotto – DF
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Recognized as CPL’s first “ironman” after playing every minute for York9 in 2019
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Accumulated 3,060 minutes and 34 starts across league and CanChamp play
Daniel Gogarty – DF
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Released by York9 in December, has yet to sign with another pro club
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The technically-gifted centre back appeared in 20 regular season matches for Y9, accumulating 1551 minutes.
Kyle Porter – RM
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Y9’s inaugural signing brought experience to the York club en route to 25 appearances and two goals
Ryan Telfer – LM
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Moved to Cypriot team Nea Salamis in January (has made two appearances)
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On loan from Toronto FC, Telfer scored the first goal in CPL history on opening day
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He made 26 appearances for Y9 in Year 1, scoring eight times
Joe Di Chiara – CM
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Appeared 22 more times for Y9 in league play
Manny Aparicio (captain) – CM
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Given first red card in CPL history during the inaugural game
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Made 31 league and CanChamp appearances for the Nine Stripes, wearing the captain’s armband in 30
Wataru Murofushi – CM
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Diminutive midfielder appeared in 23 league matches and scored three goals
Cyrus Rollocks – ST
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Released by York9 in December, has yet to sign with another pro club
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Made nine appearances for York9
Simon Adjei – ST
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Mutually parted ways with York9 in February, signed with Swedish side Assyriska IK soon after
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Has yet to appear for Assyriska
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First international signing in CPL history
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Scored seven goals in 24 appearances for York9
Forge FC
Triston Henry – GK
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Made 23 appearances as Forge’s no. 1 ‘keeper
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Held on for two clean sheets in Finals 2019
Jonathan Grant – RB
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Recovered from inaugural game injury to make 10 starts in the CPL Fall season, scoring one goal
Elimane Cisse – CB
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Started in the centre of defence on opening day, went on to feature as a midfielder and striker
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Made 25 appearances for Forge, scoring two goals and adding two assists
Dominic Samuel – CB
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Started as a centre back but appeared 27 more times, including at both fullback positions
Kwame Awuah – LB
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Notched five assists across 29 appearances in Year 1
Giuliano Frano – CM
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Alternate captain Frano emerged as a key water carrier for Forge, played in all but five matches
Kyle Bekker (captain) – CM
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Nominated for CPL Player of the Year at Awards 2019
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Received a retroactive ban after elbowing Joe Di Chiara in the inaugural game
Alexander Achinioti-Jonsson – CM
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Logged 1,941 minutes across 27 appearances for Forge in Year 1
Chris Nanco – LW
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Set up the deciding goal in Finals 2019
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Scored winning goal in Forge’s Concacaf League Leg 1 win over CD Olimpia
Emery Welshman – ST
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Moved to Israeli club Hapoel Haifa in August, currently with Bnei Sakhnin
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Scored three goals in 11 appearances for Forge
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Attempted the first bicycle kick in CPL history, assisted Kadell Thomas’ opening day goal
Tristan Borges – RW
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Sold to Oud-Heverlee Leuven in Belgium, first CPLer to move to Europe
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CPL Player of the Year, Golden Boot winner, Best Canadian Under-21 winner
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Scored 13 goals for Forge in 2019