TORONTO, ON – Throughout the first half-decade of the Canadian Premier League, there is little doubt that using current and former U SPORTS players has been beneficial.
From the likes of Eryk Kobza out of Calgary to Cavalry in the most recent season or the establishment of former U SPORTS stars using the CPL to jump to MLS and the Canadian Men’s National Team, the Canadian university system has been beneficial to Canada’s growth in men’s soccer.
With that, the 2024 U SPORTS CPL Draft offers another crop of talent that can help push Canadian football forward.
49 Sports looks at how the draft could sort itself out.
1. Valour FC – Adam Benmoussa, CB (Montreal)
Valour FC has tended to look to the RSEQ in the last several seasons, and I have them following a similar path in 2024.
Benmoussa, a centre-back out of the perennially contending Montreal Carabins, helped the Carabins to be one of the best defensive teams in the nation en route to another deep run to the U SPORTS Final.
While the group no doubt left the season disappointed without a national championship or RSEQ title, Benmoussa offers an intriguing aspect in solidifying the defence of a Valour side that looked vulnerable more often than not last season.
2. Vancouver FC – Luke Norman, CM (UBC)
Luke Norman, a central midfielder out of UBC, is a high-potential pick in the CPL U SPORTS Draft. While I’m sure a team will select him, I’ve slotted him second to Vancouver FC.
In his rookie season with the UBC Thunderbirds, he scored 6 goals and 6 assists in 18 appearances to help them to a sixth straight Canada West Championship and U SPORTS bronze medal.
Composed in midfield, he linked up well as a transitional lynchpin alongside players who already have CPL experience, Chris Lee and Eric Lajunesse.
For Vancouver, they will hope for a player to play a depth role in attacking midfield and one to provide attacking opportunities to former U SPORTS selection Gabriel Bitar up front, as well as CPL veteran attacker Alejandro Diaz.
At the same time, grabbing Norman high in the draft allows them to secure his rights for the next couple of seasons — not just allowing them to benefit in 2024 but down the line as he matures as well.
If they don’t take him, someone will. He’s sure to be selected.
3. Atletico Ottawa – Luca Piccioli, CM (Carleton)
Atletico Ottawa and the Carleton Ravens may not always see eye to eye in their selections in the U SPORTS CPL Draft. Still, given the success the Ravens enjoyed this season, it’s difficult to see them avoiding the OUA Championships situated in their backyard.
Among several options, I have Atletico taking Carleton central midfielder Luca Piccioli, a fourth year, who was critical in their success in the conference this season and played a vital role in defeating the strong York Lions in the final.
Piccioli scored a trio of goals and two assists this season, starting nine games as a heavily influential midfielder with the Ravens, and being a fourth year, he could have enough quality and experience to step right into the Atletico lineup alongside a seasoned profile like one time CPL MVP Olie Bassett.
4. York United – Christian Zeppieri, CM (York)
Taking players from local schools, whether it be York University or Ontario Tech, has become somewhat expected of York United through their tenure in the CPL, and even with new ownership, there’s little reason to sway from that trend.
After all, one of the top teams in the country shares their stadium, sometimes even drawing more fans.
With that, I have York United selecting central midfielder Christian Zeppieri, who just finished his second season with the York University Lions, proving a critical asset in their midfield and pushing their attack forward.
Scoring four goals this season, he offers a transitional aspect while also being one of the top free-kick takers in U SPORTS. However, the moments of free kicks may also come with some concern, given he scored a 25-yard curler in the OUA semifinal before earning himself a second yellow for taking his shirt off in celebration.
Despite his tender age, Zeppieri is responsible on both sides of the play, and would be able to step right into York as a contributing roster player, even if his plan would be to continue as a student-athlete come the fall.
5. HFX Wanderers – Daniel Clarke, GK (Cape Breton)
Dominant in the U SPORTS National Championship with clean sheets in the semifinal and final, Cape Breton Capers goalkeeper Daniel Clarke has proven his worth at the U SPORTS level and would offer a vital aspect to the HFX Wanderers moving forward.
The Wanderers were one of the CPL teams that struggled with consistency in net, as Yann Fillion didn’t offer the level of performance they often needed to find their way to wins in close games. Adding Clarke and his ability to close out important matches could be an intriguing addition.
At the same time, he has spent time in the Wanderers U23 team, and also played for Scrosoppi FC in League1 Ontario, something head coach Patrice Gheisar will be familiar with, given his previous role with Vaughan Azzurri in that circuit.
Although selecting a goalkeeper with a Top 5 pick is unconventional, welcoming the Milton Keynes, UK native could help elevate the Wanderers instantly ahead of his senior season in Cape Breton.
6. Pacific FC, Sebastian Dzikowski, F (UBC)
Pacific FC has developed a habit of selecting players out of the UBC Thunderbirds, and I have them continuing that trend this season with poaching striker Sebastian Dzikowski.
Although Dzikowski, fresh off his third year with the Thunderbirds, isn’t a player to take on defenders one-on-one or play too complicated a game, he’s a proven finisher in front of goal, often just needing two or three touches to finish after establishing himself in a scoring area.
Given Pacific’s chance-creating abilities with Manny Aparicio in midfield, having a striker to finish simple chances could be a welcome improvement after a bit of a down year for once-potent CPL talisman Easton Ongaro.
Dzikowski certainly has the size and physical aspects to impact the CPL and has previous experience in Cavalry FC’s youth setup. The concern with him, however, is his on-ball skills may not be what CPL teams need. Still, he would be a valuable addition to Pacific.
He is the current U SPORTS Player of the Year, scoring 15 goals, a UBC program record, and adding four assists. He’s worth giving a look at.
One note to make, however, is that he does not plan to return to school, making this U SPORTS Draft likely the only opportunity to add him on a budget-friendly CPL-U SPORTS contract before potentially adding him on a permanent deal.
7. Cavalry FC – Aidan Dumoulin, GK (MRU)
If Cavalry FC has watched any of Canada West or U SPORTS soccer this season, they’re sprinting to select Mount Royal Cougars goalkeeper Aidan Dumoulin. In his rookie season, he kept 10 clean sheets — a conference record — and helped MRU to their first Canada West title and a berth at the U SPORTS National Championship.
While Marco Carducci will remain the steadfast starter for Cavalry moving forward, adding the teenage U SPORTS phenom paves a path forward for the next several years, especially if they retain his rights.
The club and university also have a previous connection, drafting former MRU student-athlete, turn Canada Men’s National Team squad member Victor Loturi while also using Sterling Kerr, another MRU goalkeeper, as a backup last season.
Although Dumoulin wouldn’t be a starter for Cavalry, securing his rights, playing a few games with him in the summer, and sending him back to school to further develop as a U SPORTS standout could be a massive coup for the club.
8. Forge FC, Mouhamed Ndiaye, CAM, (UQTR)
With four championships to their name, Hamilton’s Forge FC have established themselves as a force in the CPL — however, they’ve seldom drawn on their U SPORTS Draft picks for any contributions.
Garven Michee-Metusala, once a Concordia committed athlete, is the only U SPORTS Draft pick to have played meaningful minutes for Forge throughout their history. Last year, they selected York University’s standout centreback Milo Djurcic and didn’t see him as an option moving forward.
All to say, precedent shows their selections may not have much-staying power with the group. Yet, that could potentially change should head coach Bobby Smyrniotis move on to coach the Canadian Men’s National Team.
In this spot, though, I have Forge drafting central defensive midfielder Mouhamed Ndiaye, who helped the UQTR Patriotes to the RSEQ title as a second-year student-athlete while also scoring two skillful goals in the conference final.
Although he finished the regular season with a goal and three assists, his composure in transition signifies his readiness for the next step. At the same time, his ability to take over critical moments makes him cut out for Forge.
ROUND 2
9. Valour FC – Owen Sheppard, ST (Cape Breton)
10. Vancouver FC – Naseeb Bains, RB (Toronto)
11. Atletico Ottawa – Omar Darwish, CM (Carleton)
12. York United – Tyler Attardo, ST (York)
13. HFX Wanderers – Luke Green, CB (StFX)
14. Pacific FC – Javier Sagaste, CM (Victoria)
15. Cavalry FC – Caden Rogozinski, CB (MRU)
16 Forge FC – Amadou Kone, CM (Carleton)