Round 17 CanPL Power Rankings: Here comes HFX

With the help of Joao Morelli pulling away from the rest of the field in the race for the Canadian Premier League golden boot, HFX Wanderers see the biggest rise in the Round 17 Power Rankings..

Halifax has not lost a game since a 2-1 loss in Ottawa on August 14. On the flip side, Atletico Ottawa hasn’t won since that game

As we begin to head into the home stretch of the 28 game season, the race for the fourth and final playoff spot remains wide open, with even FC Edmonton till within reasonable striking range. Here’s how we here at Waking The Red see the teams right now.

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1 - Pacific FC - Record - 10-4-3 34 points

Last match: Pacific FC 3-1 Cavalry FC, September 9

Last week: 1st

Four straight wins in all competitions has the Tridents still firmly in first place, with their next games against softer competition in FC Edmonton and Ateltico Ottawa, providing the opportunity for the club to put some distance between themselves and the rest of the CanPL field.

UP NEXT: FC Edmonton v Pacific, Tuesday, September 14, 9:30 pm ET

2 - Cavalry FC - Record - 9-4-4 31 points

Last week: 3rd

Last match: Pacific FC 3-1 Cavalry FC, September 9

Cavalry hadn’t lost since July prior to their defeat on Vancouver Island last week. As a result, they’re in second instead of first and Tommy Wheeldon’s group will be hopeful that was just a blip on what has been a very strong second half of the season. They’ll have an opportunity to get back at Pacific in the Canadian Championship on September 22.

UP NEXT: Valour v Cavalry, Saturday, September 18, 4 pm ET

3 - Forge FC - Record - 9-1-7 28 points

Last week: 2nd

Last match: Forge 0-2 York United, September 11

But seriously, who is this Woobens Pacius guy?

Forge drops to third as their inconsistent play continues to get the better of them, as they lost their recent GTA Derby (or whatever you kids call it out east).

Pacius has scored four goals since signing for Forge on August 8th. He sits second behind Mo Babouli’s five goals, though all of his goals have come from outfield play while three of Babouli’s have come from the penalty spot.

UP NEXT: Forge v Pacific, Saturday, September 25, 7 pm ET

4 - HFX Wanderers FC - Record - 5-6-6 21 points

Last match: Atletico Ottawa 1-2 HFX Wanderers, September 11

Last week: 7th

The 2020 Canadian Premier League finalists have finally found their footing, thanks in a large part to Joao Morelli and his six goals in Halifax’s last three games.

HFX face an important test when they travel to York this weekend, before hosting CF Montreal next week in the Canadian Championship.

UP NEXT: York v HFX Wanderers, Saturday, September 18, 2 pm ET

5 - York FC - Record - 4-5-6 17 points

Last match: Forge 0-2 York United, September 11

Last week: 5th

With four draws in their last six games, York United are thiiiiisssss close to becoming a good CanPL team, but the inability to turn those draws into wins is why they’re still in a fight for fourth.

Alvaro Rivero has goals in three straight for York United.

UP NEXT: Atletico Ottawa v York, Wednesday, September 1, 7 pm ET

6 - Valour FC - Record - 3-5-6 14 points

Last match: Valour 0-3 FC Edmonton, September 7

Last week: 4th

Losers of seven of their last 10, including their last three, one could argue Valour should be lower on this ranking and have a good argument. The strong start to the year is long gone, and even back to back wins over Ottawa and Edmonton are disappearing in the rearview mirror. Valour seems to be a team without an identity right now, and they need to find one and fast.

UP NEXT: Valour v Cavalry, Saturday, September 18, 4 pm ET

7 - FC Edmonton - Record - 3-5-6 14 points

Last match: Valour 0-3 FC Edmonton, September 7

Last week: 6th

Well, they beat Valour! So that’s something. Having gone since July without a win before that is why they sit second last. Azriel Gonzalez seems to be a good pickup for the Eddies,as the 20-year-old has two goals and three assists in his last four games.

UP NEXT: FC Edmonton v Pacific, Tuesday, September 14, 9:30 pm ET

8 - Atletico Ottawa - Record - 3-3-8 12 points

Last match: Atletico Ottawa 1-2 HFX Wanderers, September 11

Last week: 8th

Two wins since June 26th. That about sums it up for Atletico Ottawa. Malcolm Shaw is a bright spot with three goals in his last four, giving him seven which puts him alone in second in the league. But things are not good for Ottawa, averaging less than a goal per game (16 in 17 games) while allowing close to two per game (their 30 goals allowed are the worst in the league by a five goal margin).

UP NEXT: Atletico Ottawa v York, Wednesday, September 1, 7 pm ET