The Canadian Premier League announced the Team of the Week for Week 4 of the CPL season on Monday, with Manny Aparicio, Djenairo Daniels, Amer Didic, Josh Heard, Georges Mukumbilwa, and Ayman Sellouf all earning spots after Pacific FC’s 4-1 victory over Atlético Ottawa on Saturday. Six nominations is the most from a single club in the CPL Team of the Week in 2023.

Aparicio was as dynamic as ever on Saturday. The heartbeat of the team had the most final third entries, most touches, most passes, and most passes into the final third of anyone in teal, and won possession back twice in the final third. Aparicio also created the opening goal in the match. After pouncing on the turnover caused by Daniels, Aparicio blew by the Ottawa centre-back before squaring the ball to Sean Young who swept it into the back of the net to give Pacific a 1-0 lead with just six minutes on the clock.

Starting up front for the first time this season, Daniels was a constant nuisance and helped create both of Pacific’s first two goals in the match. As mentioned before, the Dutchman pressed the Ottawa backline to create the turnover that Aparicio then picked up and laid off to Young. Just minutes later, Daniels again played a crucial role in setting up Heard’s goal. After peeling off his defender and creating a passing lane for Sellouf to pick out, Daniels unselfishly squared the ball to Heard who had an empty net to slide the ball into. Along with his assist, Daniels had two chances created, but will rue his missed goal-scoring opportunity after Heard tried to return to favour later in the half.

Defensively, Didic was incredible again on Saturday. A rock at the back, Didic won all three of his aerial duels, won six out of eight duels total, won possession nine times, and had two tackles, three interceptions, and four clearances. On the other side of the ball, the centre-back got his first goal of the season after tapping home Sellouf’s corner that was admittedly going straight into the far corner. Didic couldn’t take any chances however and gave Pacific a fourth goal on the day.

Heard, Pacific FC’s captain, led by example again in Ottawa. Heard’s energy down the right was present from the very first minute and the winger was on scene to double the Tridents lead inside 10 minutes. Along with his first goal of the season, Heard had the most touches in the opposition box of anyone on the team, as well as one big chance created – that frankly should’ve been an assist – and won possession back once in the final third.

Playing as an inverted left-back again on Saturday, Mukumbilwa continued his fantastic start to the season. The 23-year-old had one interception, two clearances, won eight of 11 duels, won possession nine times, and had two successful dribbles. With Pacific again pushing Kunle Dada-Luke high up the right side, the balance provided by Mukumbilwa’s defensive-minded play is crucial to the team’s success.

Last but not least, we have Sellouf. With magic in his boots, Sellouf put on one of the best individual performances of the season on Saturday. Statistically, Sellouf completed six of 10 dribbles, won eight of 11 duels, won possession 11 times, had two chances created, as well as a goal and an assist. His footwork bamboozled the Ottawa defence on multiple occasions, especially for his goal – Pacific’s third of the match. He was also inches away from an Olimpico but for Didic sticking out his boot to absolutely make sure the ball crossed the line. Pacific’s new wing-wizard is quickly establishing himself as not only one of the most exciting and tricky attackers in the league, but one who has the final product to match.

This is the second time Aparicio and Sellouf have been named to the Team of the Week, and the first appearance for everyone else.