CPL Canadian Premier League

VW Premier Performer Analysis: Forge Trio Shines, Carducci Keeps Pace

Published on July 16, 2019 under Canadian Premier League (CPL) News Release


Each week of the Fall season, CanPL.ca will highlight the top five Volkswagen Premier Performers of the Week, while updating the overall standings as players from across the league compete to top the table and win a new Volkswagen Jetta GLI.

Here are the 5 VW Premier Performers of the Week:

1) Marco Carducci (Cavalry FC) - 98.59 pts

Cavalry FC's no. 1 comes in at no. 1 this week after a near-perfect, best-of-the-best performance at Wanderers Grounds. Not to be outdone by an unnamed York9 goalkeeper last week, Carducci put together a five-save clean sheet performance at a loud Wanderers Grounds. The 22-year-old backstop bailed out his side a few time with difficult saves, especially a last-minute grab - sun in his eyes - to earn his seventh clean sheet on the season.

2) Tristan Borges (Forge FC) - 98.10 pts

Forge FC dangerman Tristan Borges accrued nearly as many points as Carducci on the weekend with two goals and an assist against Pacific FC at Westhills Stadium. Borges' brace took him most of the way to a 100-point performance on the day, but his matchweek-leading six key passes put him just that much closer.

3) Emery Welshman (Forge FC) - 85.87 pts

Emery Welshman converted one of those six Borges helpers, giving the Forge striker a second goal on the season. Five attempts at goal, three on target, Welshman generated several chances outside of that goal, with a difficult first-half headed attempt troubling PFC goalkeeper Nolan Wirth.

4) Mohamed Kourouma (HFX Wanderers) - 82.35 pts

Kourouma's weekend performance didn't garner headlines, but it sure found recognition on the Premier Performer tally. The winger's 82-point match at Wanderers Grounds came via a passing masterclass; a match-leading four key passes, 30 passes in the opposing half and seven crosses completed. Kourouma was unlucky not to have an assist on an equalizing goal, too.

5) Marcel Zajac (Forge FC) - 80.63 pts

The fifth-best performer and third Forge FC player on this list, Marcel Jajac completes an attacking Forge trio that had quite an effective day on VanIsle. Five shots, two finding the target, Zajac was sound positionally, finding himself space at point-blank range in the first half and nearly setting up Elimane Cisse with a goal early on.

Top 5 Overall

RANK PLAYER CLUB POINTS (Avg./match)

1 Nathan Ingham York9 FC 81.01

2 Marco Carducci Cavalry FC 80.26

3 Connor James FC Edmonton 77.59

4 Emery Welshman Forge FC 76.65

5 Dominique Malonga Cavalry FC 75.40

ANALYSIS: With his 98-point matchweek, Carducci maintains pace with fellow "keeper Nathan Ingham as the two frontrunners, with a four-point lead ahead of another "keeper, Connor James, who stays in third despite a decidedly poor performance at York Lions Stadium. Welshman's impressive match on Saturday launches him into the top 5, just ahead of fellow forward Dom Malonga.

Check out the Canadian Premier League Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Canadian Premier League Stories from July 16, 2019


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central