2020 Canadian Premier League season
{{Short description|2nd season of top-level Canadian soccer league}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox football league season
| competition = Canadian Premier League
| logo = The Island Games logo.png
| dates = August 13 – September 6, 2020 (first stage)
September 9–15, 2020 (group stage)
September 19, 2020 (final)
| winners = Forge FC
| shield = Not awarded |shieldtitle = {{nowrap|Regular season winners}}
| continentalcup1 = {{nowrap|CONCACAF League}}
| continentalcup1 qualifiers = Forge FC
| matches = 35
| total goals = 92
| league topscorer = Akeem Garcia
(6 goals)
| best goalkeeper = Triston Henry
(5 shutouts)
| biggest home win = {{nowrap|HFX Wanderers 0–5 Pacific FC}}
(September 15)
| highest scoring = 5 goals
{{nowrap|York9 FC 3–2 Forge FC}}
(August 26)
{{nowrap|HFX Wanderers 0–5 Pacific FC}}
(September 15)
| longest wins = 3 matches
Cavalry FC
(August 16–23)
Forge FC
(September 12–19)
| longest unbeaten = 6 matches
York9 FC
(August 15 – September 1)
HFX Wanderers FC
(August 26 – September 12)
Forge FC
(August 30 – September 19)
| longest winless = 7 matches
FC Edmonton
(August 16 – September 6)
| longest losses = 4 matches
FC Edmonton
(August 26 – September 6)
| prevseason = 2019
| nextseason = 2021
| season = 2020
}}
The 2020 Canadian Premier League season was the second season of the Canadian Premier League (CPL), the top level of Canadian soccer.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CPL announced a 14-day hold on all pre-season training on March 13, 2020.{{cite web |title=Canadian Premier League Statement: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Protocol for Pre-Season Training |url=https://canpl.ca/article/canadian-premier-league-statement-coronavirus-covid-19-protocol-for-pre-season-training |website=Canadian Premier League |access-date=March 14, 2020 |date=March 13, 2020}} On March 20, the league announced that it would be postponing the start of the season from the previously scheduled date of April 11.{{cite web |title=Canadian Premier League Commissioner Statement: Start of season postponed |url=https://canpl.ca/article/canadian-premier-league-statement-on-covid-19 |website=Canadian Premier League |access-date=March 20, 2020 |date=March 20, 2020}}
A shortened 2020 season tournament, branded as The Island Games, was played at the University of Prince Edward Island from August 13 to September 19. All players were required to self-isolate for 14 days before travelling, self-isolate for five more days upon arrival, and receive two negative COVID-19 tests before being allowed to play. As of July 29, PEI had the lowest number of COVID-19 cases among provinces, at 36.{{Cite web|title=Canadian Premier League's Island Games: Everything you need to know|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/canadian-premier-leagues-island-games-everything-need-know/|access-date=August 15, 2020|website=Sportsnet.ca}}{{Cite web|date=August 11, 2020|title=CPL players, coaches, staff in P.E.I. bubble all test negative for COVID-19|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-cpl-soccer-covid-19-tests-1.5681728|access-date=August 15, 2020|website=CBC News}}{{Cite web|date=July 29, 2020|title=P.E.I. to host Canadian pro soccer league season starting Aug. 13|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-sports-canadian-premier-soccer-league-announcement-1.5667088|website=CBC News}}
Initially, all matches were held behind closed doors. On August 8, the league announced a partnership with the province and PEI Soccer to allow 50 minor soccer players per game to attend matches.{{cite tweet |author=Canadian Premier League |author-link=Canadian Premier League |user=CPLsoccer |number=1299765803982692356 |date=August 29, 2020 |title=With approval from the Province of PEI and in partnership with @peisoccerassoc, the CPL hosted the 1st fan zone for minor soccer players. Starting today, groups of up to 50 people will begin to share in the excitement of The Island Games while following public health measures. https://t.co/lA8xPxRPpK |language=en |access-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829174818/https://twitter.com/CPLsoccer/status/1299765803982692356 |archive-date=August 29, 2020 |url-status=live}}
Atlético Ottawa joined the league as its first expansion team, bringing the total number of teams to eight. Hamilton's Forge FC defended their inaugural CPL title, blanking HFX Wanderers FC 2–0 in the final.
Overview
= Teams =
{{Location map+ |Canada |float=right |width=400 |caption=Location of the 2020 Canadian Premier League season (green) and the homes of the eight teams (red)|places=
{{Location map~ |Canada |lat=46.259|long=-63.138||mark = Green pog.svg|label=UPEI|position=top}}
{{Location map~ |Canada |lat=45.4215296 |long=-75.69719309999999 |label_size=85 |label=Atlético Ottawa|position=top}}
{{Location map~ |Canada |lat=43.2500|long=-79.8667 |label_size=85 |label=Forge|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |Canada |lat=51.044270|long=-114.062019 |label_size=85 |label=Cavalry}}
{{Location map~ |Canada |lat=48.443056|long=-123.519444 |label_size=85 |label=Pacific|position=top}}
{{Location map~ |Canada |lat=44.651070|long=-63.582687 |label_size=85 |label=HFX Wanderers|position=bottom}}
{{Location map~ |Canada |lat=43.77467|long=-79.50677 |label_size=85 |label=York9}}
{{Location map~ |Canada |lat=49.8969|long=-97.1564 |label_size=85 |label=Valour}}
{{Location map~ |Canada |lat=53.6316|long=-113.3239 |label_size=85 |label=Edmonton|position=top}}}}
The seven teams that participated in the inaugural 2019 Canadian Premier League season were set to compete in this season. They were joined by Atlético Ottawa, an expansion team who were created after USL Championship side Ottawa Fury FC suspended operations after being unable to secure approval from USSF and CONCACAF.{{cite web |title=Canadian Premier League awards 1st Expansion Team to Ottawa |url=https://canpl.ca/article/canadian-premier-league-awards-1st-expansion-team-to-ottawa |website=Canadian Premier League |access-date=January 29, 2020 |date=January 29, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.narcity.com/sports/ca/on/ottawa/ottawa-fury-fc-is-over-and-the-team-wont-be-playing-anymore|title=Ottawa's Soccer Team Was Just Cancelled But Fans Want Them To Switch Leagues|website=www.narcity.com|access-date=December 9, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/canadian-premier-league-ottawa-expansion-2020-rumour/|title=Rumour: Ottawa On Fast-Track To CPL Expansion|last=Jacques|first=John|date=January 15, 2020|website=Northern Tribune|access-date=January 15, 2020}}
== Personnel and sponsorship ==
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ !Team !Head coach !Captain(s) !Shirt sponsor !Kit manufacturer | |
| Atlético Ottawa
|{{flagicon|ESP}} {{sortname|Mista | Mista (footballer)}}
|{{flagicon|CAN}} {{sortname|Ben|Fisk}} |rowspan=8|Macron |
| Cavalry
|{{flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Tommy|Wheeldon Jr.}} |{{flagicon|CAN}} {{sortname|Nik|Ledgerwood|Nikolas Ledgerwood}} | |
| FC Edmonton
|{{flagicon|CAN}} {{sortname|Jeff|Paulus}} |{{flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Tomi|Ameobi}} | |
| Forge
|{{flagicon|CAN}} {{sortname|Bobby|Smyrniotis}} |{{flagicon|CAN}} {{sortname|Kyle|Bekker}} | |
| HFX Wanderers
|{{flagicon|TRI}} {{sortname|Stephen|Hart|Stephen Hart (footballer)}} |{{flagicon|TRI}} {{sortname|Andre|Rampersad}} | |
| Pacific
|{{flagicon|NOR}} {{sortname|Pa-Modou|Kah}} |{{flagicon|CAN}} {{sortname|Marcel|de Jong}} | |
| Valour
|{{flagicon|ENG}} {{sortname|Rob|Gale}} |{{flagicon|CAN}} {{sortname|Dylan|Carreiro}} | |
| York9
|{{flagicon|CAN}} {{sortname|Jimmy|Brennan|Jim Brennan}} |{{flagicon|CAN}} {{sortname|Manny|Aparicio}} |
==Coaching changes==
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Team
!Outgoing coach !Manner of !Date of !Position in table !Incoming coach !Date of |
|---|
| Pacific
| {{flagicon|CAN}} James Merriman | end of interim period | {{dts|January 14, 2020}} | rowspan=2|pre-season | {{flagicon|NOR}} Pa-Modou Kah | January 14, 2020 |
| Atlético Ottawa
| colspan=2 align=center|N/A (inaugural season) | {{dts|January 29, 2020}} | {{flagicon|SPA}} Mista | February 11, 2020 |
=Original format=
Before being postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the regular season was intended to be played from April 11 to October 4. The split-season format of the inaugural season was to be replaced by a single table and full double round-robin. The eight teams would have met their rivals twice at home and twice away for a total of 28 games, the same number as in 2019.{{cite web |title=Canadian Premier League announces 2020 home dates; Ottawa's home opener set for May 16 |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6573658/canadian-premier-league-announces-2020-home-dates/ |website=Global News |access-date=September 7, 2020 |date=February 20, 2020}} The top ranked team in the regular season would have qualified for a spot in the championship final and would have been joined by the winner of a playoff between the second and third ranked teams.{{cite web |last1=Bedakian |first1=Armen |title=CPL announces balanced schedule, new league and playoff format for 2020 |url=https://canpl.ca/article/cpl-announces-balanced-schedule-new-league-and-playoff-format-for-2020 |website=Canadian Premier League |access-date=September 7, 2020 |date=February 21, 2020}}
First stage
The eight teams played against each other once each for a total of seven matches. The top four teams advanced to the group stage.
=Table=
|section=first
|update=complete |source=[http://canpl.ca/standings/2020/first/ CanPL.ca]
|team_order=CAV, HFX, FOR, PAC, YOR, VAL, ATO, FCE
|result1=G |result2=G |result3=G |result4=G
|hth_HFX=Head-to-head points: HFX Wanderers 1, Forge 1. Goal differential: HFX Wanderers +5, Forge +4 |hth_FOR=HFX
|hth_VAL=Head-to-head points: Valour 3, Atlético Ottawa 0. |hth_ATO=VAL
|win_ATO=2 |draw_ATO=2 |loss_ATO=3 |gf_ATO=7 |ga_ATO=12
|win_CAV=4 |draw_CAV=1 |loss_CAV=2 |gf_CAV=10|ga_CAV=7
|win_FCE=0 |draw_FCE=1 |loss_FCE=6 |gf_FCE=5 |ga_FCE=14
|win_FOR=3 |draw_FOR=3 |loss_FOR=1 |gf_FOR=13|ga_FOR=9
|win_HFX=3 |draw_HFX=3 |loss_HFX=1 |gf_HFX=12|ga_HFX=7
|win_PAC=3 |draw_PAC=2 |loss_PAC=2 |gf_PAC=10 |ga_PAC=8
|win_VAL=2 |draw_VAL=2 |loss_VAL=3 |gf_VAL=8 |ga_VAL=9
|win_YOR=2 |draw_YOR=4 |loss_YOR=1 |gf_YOR=8 |ga_YOR=7
|name_ATO=Atlético Ottawa
|name_CAV=Cavalry
|name_FCE=FC Edmonton
|name_FOR=Forge
|name_HFX=HFX Wanderers
|name_PAC=Pacific
|name_VAL=Valour
|name_YOR=York9
|show_limit=8
|res_col_header=Q
|col_G=green1|text_G=Advance to group stage
|class_rules=1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) goal differential; 4) goals for; 5) total wins; 6) U-21 minutes; 7) coin toss or drawing of lots.{{Cite tweet|number=1293709209108910082|user=martythompson_|last=Thompson|first=Marty|date=August 12, 2020|title=Confirmed: #CanPL tiebreakers for The Island Games... 1. Head-to-head 2. Goal diff. 3. Goals for 4. Total # of wins 5. *Most U-21 minutes* in round 6. Coin toss or drawing of lots}}
}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Results=
{{#invoke:sports results|main|team_header=Teams
|update = complete
|source = [https://canpl.ca/schedule/2020 CanPL.ca]
|matches_style = FBR
|team1=ATO |team2=CAV |team3=FCE |team4=FOR
|team5=HFX |team6=PAC |team7=VAL |team8=YOR
|name_ATO=Atlético Ottawa
|name_CAV=Cavalry
|name_FCE=FC Edmonton
|name_FOR=Forge
|name_HFX=HFX Wanderers
|name_PAC=Pacific
|name_VAL=Valour
|name_YOR=York9
|match_ATO_CAV=—
|match_ATO_FCE=—
|match_ATO_FOR=—
|match_ATO_HFX=—
|match_ATO_PAC=—
|match_ATO_VAL=—
|match_ATO_YOR=—
|match_CAV_FCE=—
|match_CAV_FOR=—
|match_CAV_HFX=—
|match_CAV_ATO=0–2
|match_CAV_PAC=—
|match_CAV_VAL=—
|match_CAV_YOR=—
|match_FCE_CAV=0–2
|match_FCE_FOR=—
|match_FCE_HFX=—
|match_FCE_ATO=2–2
|match_FCE_PAC=—
|match_FCE_VAL=—
|match_FCE_YOR=—
|match_FOR_CAV=2–2
|match_FOR_FCE=2–0
|match_FOR_HFX=—
|match_FOR_ATO=2–0
|match_FOR_PAC=—
|match_FOR_VAL=—
|match_FOR_YOR=—
|match_HFX_ATO=2–0
|match_HFX_CAV=1–2
|match_HFX_FCE=3–1
|match_HFX_FOR=1–1
|match_HFX_PAC=—
|match_HFX_VAL=—
|match_HFX_YOR=—
|match_PAC_CAV=2-1
|match_PAC_FCE=2-1
|match_PAC_FOR=1–2
|match_PAC_HFX=2–2
|match_PAC_ATO=0–1
|match_PAC_VAL=—
|match_PAC_YOR=—
|match_VAL_CAV=0–2
|match_VAL_FCE=2–1
|match_VAL_FOR=2–2
|match_VAL_HFX=0–2
|match_VAL_ATO=4–0
|match_VAL_PAC=0–2
|match_VAL_YOR=—
|match_YOR_CAV=0–1
|match_YOR_FCE=1–0
|match_YOR_FOR=3–2
|match_YOR_HFX=1–1
|match_YOR_ATO=2–2
|match_YOR_PAC=1–1
|match_YOR_VAL=0–0
}}
{{col-2}}
=Results by round=
{{#invoke:Sports rbr table|table
| title =
| sortable = yes
| legendpos = bl
| team1 = Atlético Ottawa
| pos1 = 3/7/7/6/7/5/7
| team2 = Cavalry
| pos2 = 1/1/1/1/2/2/1
| team3 = FC Edmonton
| pos3 = 7/8/8/8/8/8/8
| team4 = Forge
| pos4 = 1/2/2/2/1/1/3
| team5 = HFX Wanderers
| pos5 = 3/4/5/4/6/4/2
| team6 = Pacific
| pos6 = 3/4/5/5/3/6/4
| team7 = Valour
| pos7 = 7/3/3/7/5/7/6
| team8 = York9
| pos8 = 3/4/4/3/4/3/5
| color_1 = 1st
| text_1 = 1st and advance to group stage
| color_2-4 = green1
| text_2-4 = Advance to group stage
| source = CanPL.ca |update =complete
| notes = Cavalry and Forge played two matches in round 1 but did not play in round 6.
}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-end}}
Group stage
The four group stage teams met their opponents once each. The top two teams advanced to the final.
=Table=
|section=group
|update=complete |source=[http://canpl.ca/standings/2020/group/ CanPL.ca]
|team_order=FOR, HFX, CAV, PAC
|result1=F |result2=F
|hth_CAV=Head-to-head points: Cavalry 3, Pacific 0. |hth_PAC=CAV
|win_CAV=1 |draw_CAV=0 |loss_CAV=2 |gf_CAV=4 |ga_CAV=4
|win_FOR=2 |draw_FOR=1 |loss_FOR=0 |gf_FOR=4 |ga_FOR=1
|win_HFX=1 |draw_HFX=1 |loss_HFX=1 |gf_HFX=3 |ga_HFX=7
|win_PAC=1 |draw_PAC=0 |loss_PAC=2 |gf_PAC=6 |ga_PAC=5
|name_CAV=Cavalry
|name_FOR=Forge
|name_HFX=HFX Wanderers
|name_PAC=Pacific
|res_col_header=Q
|col_F=green1|text_F=Advance to final
|class_rules=1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) goal differential; 4) goals for; 5) total wins; 6) U-21 minutes; 7) coin toss or drawing of lots.{{Cite tweet|number=1293709209108910082|user=martythompson_|last=Thompson|first=Marty|date=August 12, 2020|title=Confirmed: #CanPL tiebreakers for The Island Games... 1. Head-to-head 2. Goal diff. 3. Goals for 4. Total # of wins 5. *Most U-21 minutes* in round 6. Coin toss or drawing of lots}}
}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Results=
{{#invoke:sports results|main|team_header=Teams
|update = complete
|source = [https://canpl.ca/schedule CanPL.ca]
|matches_style = FBR
|team1=CAV |team2=FOR |team3=HFX |team4=PAC
|name_CAV=Cavalry
|name_FOR=Forge
|name_HFX=HFX Wanderers
|name_PAC=Pacific
|match_CAV_FOR=—
|match_CAV_HFX=—
|match_CAV_PAC=—
|match_FOR_CAV=1–0
|match_FOR_HFX=—
|match_FOR_PAC=—
|match_HFX_CAV=2–1
|match_HFX_FOR=1–1
|match_HFX_PAC=—
|match_PAC_CAV=1–3
|match_PAC_FOR=0–2
|match_PAC_HFX=5–0
}}
{{col-2}}
=Results by round=
{{#invoke:Sports rbr table|table
| title =
| sortable = yes
| legendpos = bl
| team1 = Cavalry
| pos1 = 1/3/3
| team2 = Forge
| pos2 = 2/1/1
| team3 = HFX Wanderers
| pos3 = 2/2/2
| team4 = Pacific
| pos4 = 4/4/4
| color_1 = 1st
| text_1 = 1st and advance to Final
| color_2 = green1
| text_2 = Advance to Final
| source = CanPL.ca
}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-end}}
Final
{{main|2020 Canadian Premier League Final}}
{{Football box
|date=September 19
|team1=Forge FC
|score=2–0
|report=https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/5mrmbr6tngz69e9qmsn1b845w/highlights
|team2=HFX Wanderers FC
|goals1=
- Achinioti-Jönsson {{goal|60}}
- Tissot {{goal|90}}
|goals2=
|stadium=Alumni Field
|location=Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
|attendance=50
|referee=Juan Márquez
}}
Statistical leaders
{{see also|Canadian Premier League records and statistics#Player records — career}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
= Top scorers =
| class="wikitable" |
| Rank
!Player !Club !Goals |
|---|
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="1"| 1
| {{flagicon|TRI}} Akeem Garcia | style="text-align:center" rowspan="1"| 6 |
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="1"| 2
| {{flagicon|CAN}} Marco Bustos | style="text-align:center" rowspan="1"| 5 |
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="1"| 3
| {{flagicon|BRA}} João Morelli | style="text-align:center" rowspan="1"| 4 |
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="7"| 4
| {{flagicon|SWE}} Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson | Forge FC | style="text-align:center" rowspan="7"| 3 |
| {{flagicon|CAN}} Kyle Bekker
| Forge FC |
| {{flagicon|ENG}} Jordan Brown |
| {{flagicon|MEX}} Alejandro Díaz |
| {{flagicon|CAN}} Joseph Di Chiara
| York9 |
| {{flagicon|ENG}} Nathan Mavila |
| {{flagicon|CAN}} Easton Ongaro |
{{small|Source:{{cite web |url=https://canpl.ca/statistics/leaders |title=2020 CPL statistics |access-date=August 13, 2020}}}}
{{col-2}}
= Top assists =
| class="wikitable" |
| Rank
!Player !Club !Assists |
|---|
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="1"| 1
| {{flagicon|CAN}} Marco Bustos | style="text-align:center" rowspan="1"| 3 |
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="10"| 2
| {{flagicon|MEX}} Francisco Acuña | style="text-align:center" rowspan="10"| 2 |
| {{flagicon|CAN}} Molham Babouli
| Forge FC |
| {{flagicon|ESP}} Víctor Blasco |
| {{flagicon|MEX}} Alejandro Díaz |
| {{flagicon|CAN}} Shaan Hundal |
| {{flagicon|CAN}} Brett Levis |
| {{flagicon|JAM}} Alex Marshall |
| {{flagicon|TRI}} Andre Rampersad |
| {{flagicon|BEL}} Paolo Sabak
| Forge FC |
| {{flagicon|CAN}} Maxim Tissot
| Forge FC |
{{col-end}}
= Shutouts =
| class="wikitable" |
| Rank
!Player !Club !Shutouts |
|---|
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="1"| 1
| {{flagicon|CAN}} Triston Henry | Forge FC | style="text-align:center" rowspan="1"| 5 |
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="1"| 2
| {{flagicon|CAN}} Marco Carducci | style="text-align:center" rowspan="1"| 3 |
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="4"| 3
| {{flagicon|CAN}} Nathan Ingham | York9 | style="text-align:center" rowspan="4"| 2 |
| {{flagicon|CAN}} Christian Oxner |
| {{flagicon|CAN}} James Pantemis |
| {{flagicon|ESP}} Nacho Zabal |
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="2"| 7
| {{flagicon|CAN}} Callum Irving | style="text-align:center" rowspan="2"| 1 |
| {{flagicon|CAN}} Nolan Wirth |
Player transfers
{{Main|List of 2020 Canadian Premier League transfers|l1=Canadian Premier League transfers 2020}}
= U Sports Draft =
{{further|2019 CPL–U Sports Draft}}
The 2019 CPL–U Sports Draft was held on November 11 in Montreal, Quebec. Draftees were invited to team preseason camps, with an opportunity to earn a developmental contract and retain their U Sports men's soccer eligibility. HFX Wanderers selected Cory Bent with the first overall pick. Two players were selected by each returning CPL team, with a total of 14 players being drafted including 10 Canadians.{{Cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/live-2019-cpl-u-sports-draft-tracker-follow-all-14-picks|title=TRACKER: All 14 picks from the 2019 CPL-U SPORTS Draft|date=November 11, 2019|website=Canadian Premier League|language=en-CA|access-date=December 9, 2019}} Ottawa had not yet joined the league and did not participate in the draft.
= Foreign players =
Canadian Premier League teams may sign a maximum of seven international players, out of which only five can be in the starting line-up for each match. The following players are considered foreign players for the 2020 season. This list does not include Canadian citizens who represent other countries at the international level.{{Cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/cpl-pre-season-roster-tracker-how-each-team-is-shaping-up|title=CPL 2020 roster tracker: How all eight teams are shaping up|date=March 11, 2020|website=Canadian Premier League|language=en-CA|access-date=May 30, 2020}}
| class="wikitable"
|+ ! style="width:8%"|Club ! style="width:11%"|Player 1 ! style="width:11%"|Player 2 ! style="width:11%"|Player 3 ! style="width:11%"|Player 4 ! style="width:11%"|Player 5 ! style="width:11%"|Player 6 ! style="width:11%"|Player 7 |
| Atlético Ottawa
|{{flagicon|England}} Vashon Neufville |{{flagicon|Jamaica}} Tevin Shaw |{{flagicon|Mexico}} Francisco Acuña |{{flagicon|Ghana}} Bernardinho |{{flagicon|Spain}} Nacho Zabal |{{flagicon|Spain}} Viti Martínez | |
| Cavalry
|{{flagicon|England}} Jordan Brown |{{flagicon|Honduras|1949}} José Escalante |{{flagicon|England}} Nathan Mavila |{{flagicon|Brazil}} Oliver |{{flagicon|Peru}} Jair Córdova |{{flagicon|Brazil}} Richard Luca | |
| FC Edmonton
|{{flagicon|Cameroon}} Jeannot Esua |{{flagicon|Trinidad and Tobago}} Kareem Moses |{{flagicon|Spain}} Ramón Soria |{{flagicon|South Korea}} Son Yong-chan |{{flagicon|Sweden}} Erik Zetterberg | | |
| Forge
|{{flagicon|Sweden}} Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson |{{flagicon|Senegal}} Elimane Cissé |{{flagicon|Belgium}} Daniel Krutzen |{{flagicon|Belgium}} Paolo Sabak | | | |
| HFX Wanderers
|{{flagicon|Trinidad and Tobago}} Akeem Garcia |{{flagicon|Trinidad and Tobago}} Andre Rampersad |{{flagicon|Germany}} Peter Schaale |{{flagicon|Jamaica}} Alex Marshall |{{flagicon|Brazil}} João Morelli |{{flagicon|Brazil}} Eriks Santos |{{flagicon|England}} Cory Bent |
| Pacific
|{{flagicon|Mexico}} Alejandro Díaz | | | | | | |
| Valour
|{{flagicon|Spain}} José Galán |{{flagicon|Ghana}} Solomon Kojo Antwi |{{flagicon|Haiti}} Andrew Jean-Baptiste |{{flagicon|New Zealand}} Moses Dyer |{{flagicon|Congo}} Arnold Bouka Moutou | | |
| York9
|{{flagicon|Japan}} Wataru Murofushi |{{flagicon|Brazil}} Gabriel Vasconcelos |{{flagicon|Japan}} Fugo Segawa |{{flagicon|Spain}} Álvaro Rivero | | | |
Players in italic denote players new to their respective clubs for the 2020 season, sorted chronologically by their announcement.
Awards
=Canadian Premier League Awards=
The nominees for the four CPL awards were announced on September 18, one day before the league final.{{cite web |last1=Molinaro |first1=John |title=Bustos, Bekker and Garcia finalists for CPL Player of the Year award |url=https://canpl.ca/article/bustos-bekker-and-garcia-finalists-for-cpl-player-of-the-year-award |website=Canadian Premier League |access-date=September 18, 2020 |date=September 18, 2020}} The awards take into account all matches from The Island Games and are voted on by reporters across Canada. The winners were announced at a ceremony on November 26, 2020.{{cite web |last1=Jaques |first1=John |title=2020 Canadian Premier League Awards Roundup |url=https://northerntribune.ca/2020-canadian-premier-league-awards/ |website=Northern Tribune |access-date=26 November 2020 |date=26 November 2020}}
| class="wikitable"
|+ 2020 Canadian Premier League Awards | ||
| Award | Recipient | Finalists |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Boot | {{flagicon|TRI}} Akeem Garcia (HFX Wanderers) | N/A |
| Golden Glove | {{flagicon|CAN}} Triston Henry (Forge) | {{flagicon|CAN}} Christian Oxner (HFX Wanderers) {{flagicon|CAN}} Callum Irving (Pacific) |
| Coach of the Year | {{flagicon|TRI}} Stephen Hart (HFX Wanderers) | {{flagicon|CAN}} Bobby Smyrniotis (Forge) {{flagicon|ESP}} Mista (Atlético Ottawa) |
| Player of the Year | {{flagicon|CAN}} Kyle Bekker (Forge) | {{flagicon|CAN}} Marco Bustos (Pacific) {{flagicon|TRI}} Akeem Garcia (HFX Wanderers) |
| Best Under 21 Canadian Player of the Year | {{flagicon|CAN}} Mohamed Farsi (Cavalry) | {{flagicon|CAN}} Chrisnovic N'sa (HFX Wanderers) {{flagicon|CAN}} Julian Dunn (Valour) |
=Team of the Week=
The Gatorade Team of the Week is selected by OneSoccer staff.
| class="wikitable" |
| Dates
! Goalkeeper ! Defenders ! Midfielders ! Forwards ! Ref |
|---|
| style="text-align: center;" | August 13–16 | {{flagicon|CAN}} Henry (Forge) | {{flagicon|CAN}} Awuah (Forge) | {{flagicon|MEX}} Acuña (Ottawa) | {{flagicon|CAN}} Bustos (Pacific) |
| style="text-align: center;" | August 18–23 | {{flagicon|CAN}} Pantemis (Valour) | {{flagicon|CAN}} Mavila (Cavalry) | {{flagicon|Mali}} Sissoko (HFX) | {{flagicon|CAN}} Boakai (Edmonton) |
| style="text-align: center;" | August 25–30 | {{flagicon|CAN}} Oxner (HFX) | {{flagicon|CAN}} Haynes (Pacific) | {{flagicon|CAN}} Di Chiara (York) | {{flagicon|CAN}} Blasco (Pacific) |
| style="text-align: center;" | September 1–6 | {{flagicon|CAN}} Oxner (HFX) | {{flagicon|CAN}} Levis (Valour) | {{flagicon|CAN}} Aparicio (York) | {{flagicon|CAN}} Riggi (HFX) |
| style="text-align: center;" | September 7–13 | {{flagicon|CAN}} Henry (Forge) | {{flagicon|CAN}} N'sa (HFX) | {{flagicon|SWE}} Achinioti-Jönsson (Forge) | {{flagicon|BRA}} Morelli (HFX) |
| style="text-align: center;" | September 14–20 | {{flagicon|CAN}} Henry (Forge) | {{flagicon|CAN}} Awuah (Forge) | {{flagicon|CAN}} Baldisimo (Pacific) | {{flagicon|CAN}} Riggi (HFX) |
Media
OneSoccer broadcast all matches of the tournament. CBC Television televised nine matches on Saturdays, and CHCH-TV in Hamilton broadcast Sunday matches.{{Cite web|date=August 13, 2020|title=CPL/Island Games Sunday matches to be broadcast on CHCH TV|url=https://canpl.ca/article/cplisland-games-sunday-matches-to-be-broadcast-on-chch-tv|access-date=October 8, 2020|website=Canadian Premier League|language=en-CA}} To visually enhance the venue for broadcast as it is only a pitch, an augmented reality "virtual stadium" was employed by host broadcaster Mediapro, rendering CGI grandstands with virtual sponsor placements. An AI-based automated camera system was used for 19 matches, using similar technology to what was used for the CEBL Summer Series.{{Cite web|last=Kerschbaumer|first=Ken|title=Canadian Premier League Returns: Mediapro Canada Odyssey 4K Truck Onsite; WT Vision Builds Virtual Stadium|url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2020/08/19/canadian-premier-league-returns-mediapro-canada-odyssey-4k-truck-onsite-wt-vision-builds-virtual-stadium/|access-date=October 8, 2020|website=Sports Video Group|date=August 19, 2020 |language=en}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{2020 Canadian Premier League season by team}}
{{Canadian Premier League}}
{{2020 in Canadian soccer}}
{{2019–20 in North and Central America, and Caribbean football (CONCACAF)}}
{{2020–21 in North and Central America, and Caribbean football (CONCACAF)}}
{{Canada D1 soccer seasons}}