The Canadian Premier League announced the Team of the Week for Week 26 of the CPL season on Monday and Manny Aparicio and Marco Bustos were named in the XI.
Aparicio and Bustos combined just 27 seconds into the match against FC Edmonton on Friday night to open the scoring and set the second-fastest goal in CPL history. Aparicio’s return to the lineup has coincided with back-to-back wins for Pacific FC, and his energy and tactical acumen was on display again against the Eddies. In addition to his assist, Aparicio created two chances, made eight passes into the final third and had 12 recoveries defensively. The scorer of the opening goal, Bustos, was lively from the opening minute as well. Bustos completed 88% of his passes and had three shots to help pin Edmonton back in the 1-0 victory. Both Bustos and Aparicio hitting form at the end of the regular season could be a sign of good things to come for the Tridents as they jockey for playoff positioning with only two matches left.
This was the sixth time Aparicio has been named to the Team of the Week this season – the most of any Pacific FC player to this point. It was Bustos’ third appearance in the Team of the Week this season, and the first time since Week 16.