Canadian Premier League: Central Midfielders Scouting Report
Tracking Canadian talent has become increasingly important as the Canadian Premier League (CPL) seeks to nurture homegrown stars while also becoming a launchpad to bigger leagues worldwide. While it is bittersweet to see standout players move abroad, these transfers enhance the league’s global reputation and push Canadian football development to new heights.
This in-depth scouting report focuses on the top central midfielders under 30 in the CPL, analyzing their profiles, on-field impact, and statistical strengths to inform clubs, scouts, and fans about the league’s most promising talent.
Overview: Methodology & Player Selection
An extensive data search was conducted to identify central midfielders under the age of 30 performing at a high level in the CPL. After a detailed performance review, eight midfielders emerged as leaders in their roles. Their backgrounds, skills, and key stats have been compiled into the following tables for an at-a-glance comparison.
| Name | Club | Age | Primary Role | Nationality | Contract End | Preferred Foot | Alt. Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ollie Bassett | Atletico Ottawa | 24 | Box-to-Box Midfielder | England | Nov 2023 | Right | Right Midfield |
| Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé | HFX Wanderers | 27 | Tempo Setter | Canada | Nov 2022 | Left | Defensive Midfield |
| Manny Aparicio | Pacific FC | 27 | Box-to-Box Midfielder | Argentina/Canada | Nov 2022 | Right | Attacking Midfield |
| Aboubacar Sissoko | Forge FC | 27 | Box-to-Box Midfielder | Mali | Nov 2023 | Right | Right Back |
| Gabriel Bitar | FC Edmonton | 24 | Midfield Maestro | Canada | Dec 2022 | Right | Attacking Midfield |
| Sean Young | Pacific FC | 21 | Tempo Setter | Canada | Nov 2022 | Right | Defensive Midfield |
| Zakaria Bahous | Atletico Ottawa | 21 | Midfield Maestro | Canada | Nov 2023 | Right | Attacking Midfield |
| Isaiah Johnston | York United | 21 | Midfield Maestro | Canada | Nov 2024 | Right | Attacking Midfield |
Player Profiles: Strengths and Playing Styles
Each midfielder brings a unique skill set, role flexibility, and specific contributions to their respective clubs. Below, we break down the key attributes and playing styles of this season’s top CPL central midfielders.
Ollie Bassett (Atletico Ottawa)
As a 2022 CPL Player of the Year, Bassett has thrived after his move to Atletico Ottawa. His box-to-box work rate, intelligent off-ball movement, and precise passing have made him central to Ottawa’s success. Offensively, he posted 8 goals and 3 assists, timing his runs well and contributing consistently in transitional phases. In possession, Bassett is a reliable outlet and keeps his team ticking in the midfield engine room.
Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé (HFX Wanderers)
A deep-lying playmaker with a high football IQ, Gagnon-Laparé orchestrates attacks with outstanding progressive passing and vision. Leading in progressive passes and long ball accuracy, he is equally adept at recovering possession and disrupting opposition build-up. While Halifax’s finishing often limited his assist tally, his underlying metrics highlight his value as both a creator and defensive anchor.
Manny Aparicio (Pacific FC)
Aparicio’s season started explosively, and his hybrid box-to-box / attacking midfielder role enabled Pacific to be dynamic in the final third. Despite being less prolific after changes in Pacific’s frontline, his progressive passing and elite dribbling consistently moved the ball into dangerous areas. He excelled at carrying the ball, creating overloads, and switching play.
Aboubacar Sissoko (Forge FC)
Sissoko’s relentless energy stands out, whether operating as a midfielder or in an advanced right-back role. His progressive runs, pressing, and ability to win fouls supplied Forge with drive and defensive stability. Sissoko’s adaptability allows him to fit seamlessly into possession-heavy and transition-oriented systems alike.
Gabriel Bitar (FC Edmonton)
Bitar enjoyed a breakthrough season as a driving force in both attack and defensive transitions for Edmonton. Comfortable shooting from range and aggressive when regaining possession, he is still developing his passing game but shows potential as a creative outlet in counter-attacking setups.
Sean Young (Pacific FC)
Young is a disciplined tempo-setter. His passing accuracy, anticipation, and positional sense allow Pacific to retain possession and win the ball back quickly. Expected to take on a more significant role, his maturity on the ball and in defensive situations project a bright future.
Zakaria Bahous (Atletico Ottawa)
Shifted from wing-back to midfield, Bahous is known for his dribbling flair, defensive grit, and adaptability. He recorded strong tackling and interception stats and thrived in defensive phases while contributing as a creative link between midfield and attack.
Isaiah Johnston (York United)
Transitioning to a deeper midfield role, Johnston combines box-to-box movement with defensive diligence. Though still honing his vision and passing, his energy and developmental trajectory mark him as a player to watch for club and country.
Heatmap Insights: Positional Nuance Across the Pitch
Heatmaps reveal the diversity in roles and positional responsibilities across these midfielders:
- Bassett and Sissoko’s mobility allows them to affect both ends of the pitch.
- Aparicio frequently drops deep and pushes forward, covering wide spaces to facilitate transitions.
- Bitar and Johnston’s heatmaps highlight their advanced positions, often supporting attacking play.
These positional patterns demonstrate each player’s tactical usage and the flexibility demanded in the CPL’s evolving midfield roles.
Key Statistical Comparisons
To highlight their differences and strengths, here are core statistics broken down by defensive, attacking, and possession metrics.
Defensive Metrics
| Player | Tackles+Int. | Def. Actions | Def. Duel % | Aerial % | Dribbled Past | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Gagnon-Laparé | 3.66 | 9.04 | 61.7 | 51.4 | 0.94 | 0.29 |
| S. Young | 3.72 | 9.01 | 60.8 | 40.0 | 0.99 | 0.24 |
| G. Bitar | 3.30 | 6.43 | 67.7 | 27.8 | 1.06 | 0.10 |
| A. Sissoko | 2.38 | 5.33 | 60.0 | 53.5 | 0.55 | 0.17 |
| Z. Bahous | 4.08 | 9.24 | 58.0 | 28.6 | 1.40 | 0.22 |
| M. Aparicio | 2.69 | 7.44 | 54.1 | 52.5 | 1.96 | 0.14 |
| I. Johnston | 2.63 | 6.93 | 59.9 | 31.3 | 0.88 | 0.47 |
| O. Bassett | 2.16 | 5.45 | 54.7 | 18.2 | 1.24 | 0.13 |
Notably, Gagnon-Laparé and Young lead with high defensive actions and dueling success, while Bahous stands out for his high volume of tackles and interceptions relative to his more offensive profile.
Attacking Output
| Player | Goals+Assists (per 90) | Att. Actions | Duel % | Dribbles | Key Passes | Passes into Penalty Area | Progressive Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. Aparicio | 0.30 | 3.26 | 39.7 | 3.30 | 1.34 | 2.84 | 1.81 |
| A. Sissoko | 0.26 | 2.29 | 43.6 | 2.46 | 0.74 | 2.70 | 1.96 |
| G. Bitar | 0.32 | 3.29 | 44.3 | 4.89 | 0.58 | 1.00 | 1.70 |
| O. Bassett | 0.39 | 1.95 | 41.2 | 1.71 | 1.49 | 2.08 | 1.04 |
| I. Johnston | 0.19 | 2.70 | 36.8 | 3.94 | 0.75 | 1.64 | 1.64 |
| Z. Bahous | 0.12 | 2.20 | 45.9 | 2.97 | 0.87 | 1.98 | 0.77 |
| J. Gagnon-Laparé | 0.10 | 1.03 | 41.5 | 0.79 | 2.25 | 2.41 | 0.44 |
| S. Young | 0.06 | 1.27 | 37.1 | 1.57 | 1.28 | 1.32 | 1.27 |
Bassett’s goal involvement stands out, while Aparicio and Bitar impress in dribbling and ball progression. Sissoko’s numbers show his influence both with and without the ball.
Possession and Ball Retention
| Player | Passes/90 | Pass % | Progressive Passes | Passes into Final Third | Possession Lost/Touch | Dispossessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Gagnon-Laparé | 44.4 | 85.0 | 6.41 | 7.56 | 0.26 | 1.57 |
| O. Bassett | 31.5 | 83.0 | 6.34 | 5.92 | 0.24 | 0.53 |
| M. Aparicio | 38.7 | 78.0 | 10.2 | 11.9 | 0.28 | 0.73 |
| S. Young | 42.6 | 85.5 | 5.52 | 7.2 | 0.27 | 1.39 |
| A. Sissoko | 33.6 | 79.3 | 7.23 | 6.4 | 0.26 | 1.66 |
| I. Johnston | 24.9 | 80.9 | 4.36 | 4.58 | 0.31 | 1.31 |
| Z. Bahous | 24.7 | 82.6 | 5.06 | 4.4 | 0.40 | 1.22 |
| G. Bitar | 16.4 | 72.5 | 3.54 | 4.74 | 0.35 | 1.65 |
Gagnon-Laparé leads not only in passing frequency and accuracy but also in forward ball progression, underlining his value as a deep-lying orchestrator.
Summary: Who Stands Out?
Four midfielders firmly distinguish themselves as top-level CPL contributors with high potential for progression to more competitive leagues:
- Ollie Bassett – Complete package as a dynamic engine in both directions; combines attacking output with reliability in possession.
- Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé – Elite passer and tempo controller with robust defensive stats, ideal for teams seeking a cerebral midfielder.
- Manny Aparicio – Most creative and direct in moving play forward, valuable wherever verticality and technical confidence are prized.
- Aboubacar Sissoko – Brings relentless pressing and versatility, able to thrive in midfield or at fullback for sides valuing physicality and tactical flexibility.
Supporting players like Bitar, Young, Bahous, and Johnston offer high-upside potential and are worth monitoring as they develop further within the CPL.
Conclusion: Next Steps for CPL Scouting
The CPL’s approach of developing talent for both domestic impact and international opportunity continues to bear fruit. Central midfield remains one of the league’s most competitive and diverse positions, fueled by players capable of making immediate contributions and serving as potential exports.
Clubs seeking to bolster their midfield ranks—domestically or abroad—should prioritize players who blend tactical intelligence, versatility, and the ability to influence both sides of the ball.
For further scouting insights or deeper statistical breakdowns, feel free to explore dedicated analyses on CPL right-backs, centre-backs, and defensive midfielders, or individual player performance reviews that spotlight Canadian talent making waves internationally.
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*All data courtesy of SofaScore and CPL archives. For scouting inquiries or more player breakdowns, continue with our scouting database series.*
