Top Canadian Premier League Right-Backs: Comprehensive Scouting Guide

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Top Right-Backs in the Canadian Premier League: Comprehensive Scouting Analysis

The Canadian Premier League (CPL) has increasingly become a breeding ground for emerging football talent. While many Canadian players aspire to carve out strong careers domestically, the CPL’s growing reputation has turned it into an attractive destination for scouts across the globe, particularly those in search of promising defenders. In this article, we spotlight six standout right-backs whose profiles and performances could appeal not only to CPL clubs but also to international teams looking for high-value, low-market investment.

Overview of the CPL’s Developmental Focus

Canadian soccer’s evolution is evident in the CPL’s dual mission: fostering homegrown stars for domestic success and developing players ready for moves abroad. While the frequent departures of promising individuals can be frustrating for fans, these transitions raise the league’s global profile and provide invaluable experience to Canadian athletes. With many players on short-term contracts and modest market values, scouting in the CPL offers genuine opportunities for clubs seeking cost-effective signings.

Introducing the CPL Standout Right-Backs

After a rigorous review of 2022 CPL data, six right-backs stood above the rest based on age, experience, and performance. They represent a range of playing styles including wide warriors, inverted fullbacks, and attacking wing-backs.

Player	Team	Age	Role	Nationality (Eligibility)	Contract Expiry	Preferred Foot
Rezart Rama	Forge FC	21	Wide Warrior (RB/CB)	Greece/Albania	2022-11-30	Right
Chrisnovic N’Sa	York United	23	Wide Warrior (RB)	Canada	2022-11-30	Right
Miguel Acosta	Atletico Ottawa	24	Inverted Fullback (RB/CB)	Spain	2023-11-30	Right
Daan Klomp	Cavalry FC	24	Wide Warrior (RB/CB)	Netherlands	2023-11-30	Right
Olakunle Dada-Luke	Pacific FC	22	Wing-Back (RB/RWB)	Canada/Nigeria	2022-11-30	Right
Zachary Fernandez	HFX Wanderers	21	Wing-Back (RB/RWB)	Canada	2022-11-30	Right

Most of these players have amassed more than 80% of their respective teams’ minutes, except for newcomers like Rama. All retain market values below $200,000, enhancing their status as budget-friendly prospects with significant upside.

Player Profiles: Strengths and Play Styles

Rezart Rama (Forge FC): Renowned for tireless movement and robust defending, Rama emerges as a reliable two-way presence. He leads the league in progressive passing among defenders and is adept at disrupting winger play. His early entry into the CPL hasn’t hindered his influence, making him both a fan favorite and a pillar in Forge’s tactical setup.

Chrisnovic N’Sa (York United): N’Sa’s first season at York was exceptional. Not only did he provide defensive security—excelling in individual duels and completing three tackles per match—but after the midseason departure of Diyaeddine Abzi, his attacking role grew. N’Sa finished with five goal involvements and a high dribble success rate, all while playing every minute of the campaign.

Miguel Acosta (Atletico Ottawa): A disciplined tackler and visionary passer, Acosta’s range on the ball makes him an asset in both defensive and attacking phases. He thrives in long passing and organized play, frequently acting as a right-sided center-back when Ottawa is in possession. His ability to transition play swiftly adds unique value.

Daan Klomp (Cavalry FC): Klomp’s versatility shines in multi-role defensive assignments. At 6’2”, he poses an aerial threat on set pieces and is adept at both center-back and right-back. While not the most attacking full-back, he’s comfortable initiating progressive play and brings physicality and organizational skills to Cavalry’s back line.

Olakunle Dada-Luke (Pacific FC): Dada-Luke’s direct running and offensive support on the right wing have solidified his place in Pacific’s lineup. Agile and fast, he is consistently involved in attacks alongside winger Marco Bustos, though his positional discipline sometimes lapses. With further development, he has the potential to flourish at higher levels.

Zachary Fernandez (HFX Wanderers): Fernandez’s season was marked by rapid progression, both offensively and defensively. As a wing-back, he showed diverse movement patterns and notched four assists, supplementing the attack from wide and through underlapping runs. As he builds confidence in deeper areas, his creative output and ability to play through pressure are expected to rise.

Heatmap and Role Analysis: Comparing Areas of Influence

Heatmap data from the 2022 season reveals nuanced differences among the right-backs:

– Rama’s heatmap covers extensive ground, reflecting his all-action responsibilities in possession-dominant matches.
– N’Sa, Klomp, and Acosta show strong activity zones in their defensive third, supporting their primary roles as blockers and enforcers.
– Dada-Luke and Fernandez’s heatmaps highlight frequent overlapping runs along the flank, indicating their emphasis on width and attacking support typical of the wing-back profile.

Defensive Metrics: Who Excels Defensively?

A key consideration for scouting right-backs is defensive acumen. Here’s how the six stack up across key categories:

Player	Tackles + Interceptions	Defensive Actions	Defensive Duel %	Aerial Duel %	Dribbled Past (per game)
Miguel Acosta	4.66	10.73	69.66	41.46	1.42
Chrisnovic N’Sa	4.49	11.47	68.66	46.81	0.85
Rezart Rama	4.43	12.27	65.64	36.11	1.11
Daan Klomp	3.93	10.46	67.36	50.51	0.41
Olakunle Dada-Luke	5.15	10.21	66.94	56.14	0.51
Zachary Fernandez	3.85	9.22	67.33	69.7	0.81

Both N’Sa and Acosta regularly excel in duels and overall defensive output, while Klomp leads in aerial duels—a useful attribute for set-piece defending. Fernandez and Dada-Luke hold respectable numbers, especially in aerial success and tackles for their age.

Attacking Impact: Offensive Contributions From the Right Flank

Modern full-backs must contribute in attack. Here’s a comparative look at their attacking statistics:

Player	xG + xA	Attacking Actions	Attacking Duel %	Dribble %	Cross %	Progressive Runs
O. Dada-Luke	0.10	10.73	69.66	69.4	29.9	2.50
C. N’Sa	0.11	11.47	68.66	58.6	32.5	2.14
Z. Fernandez	0.17	12.27	65.64	55.3	37.7	1.72
R. Rama	0.05	10.46	67.36	43.1	14.7	2.74
D. Klomp	0.12	9.22	67.33	78.6	22.2	0.88
M. Acosta	0.04	10.21	66.94	75.0	33.3	2.08

Fernandez stands out in expected goals and assists, combined with solid chance creation and crossing. Dada-Luke is dominant in ball progression and dribbling, while N’Sa demonstrates well-rounded attacking value.

Passing and Possession Skills: Building from the Back

Pass completion and forward progression are essential for any team looking to control matches:

Player	Pass Completion	Passing %	Forward Pass %	Passes to Final Third	Possession Lost per Touch	Dispossessions per Game
R. Rama	51.6	81.5	73.4	10.62	0.22	0.88
D. Klomp	50.1	84.6	80.0	8.78	0.19	0.90
M. Acosta	39.5	81.7	72.0	7.43	0.20	0.34
C. N’Sa	32.4	86.9	71.6	4.17	0.19	0.78
Z. Fernandez	29.8	75.5	64.9	4.25	0.26	0.39
O. Dada-Luke	29.9	81.2	70.5	3.58	0.29	1.16

Rama and Klomp lead the way in forward passing and touches, signifying their suitability for teams emphasizing possession systems or ball dominance from the back.

Who Should Teams Target? Matching Profiles with Needs

Selecting the best right-back depends heavily on tactical requirements:

– Clubs seeking attack-minded full-backs who provide width and create chances should focus on Fernandez or Dada-Luke.
– Teams needing defensive stability and aggressive ball-winning could pursue N’Sa or Acosta.
– For possession-oriented clubs valuing passing and tactical flexibility, Rama and Klomp offer the most potential.

All six players combine youth with extensive playing time, and their short contract durations make immediate moves possible.

Conclusion: CPL’s Right-Back Talent Pool Is Ready for Higher Levels

This analysis highlights the depth and versatility within the CPL’s right-back ranks. Whether the aim is quick transitions, organized build-up, or relentless defense, the league boasts profiles fit for a variety of football philosophies. As the CPL continues to attract greater attention, these young defenders stand poised for breakthroughs, both in Canada and on larger stages abroad.

For deeper tactical breakdowns or additional information on these prospects, keep an eye out for further scouting series and updates profiling CPL players across every position.