In past articles on RNO, I've been quite adamant about the potential soccer talent in Canada. With the recent announcement of the Canadian Premier League being a reality, potential teams in the league are going have to produce rosters with a good percentage of players form that talent pool. It is not yet known how this will be done, although I imagine players will be recruited from a number of sources.

There will be some from abroad, playing local, in college or youth soccer or in leagues such as USL, PDL, League1 Ontario, PLSQ and others. At this point it would be unfair to start naming players who are currently attached with a professional club, or are in school, although League1 Ontario has stated its purpose as a development league for players wishing to play at a higher level, such as the Canadian Premier League.



So in my first of potentially a number of articles going forward, I give my Top 10 League1 Ontario players who I would select if I was starting a Canadian Premier League team today. I'm not including any players currently connected with the Toronto FC Academy or players who are currently attending or are scheduled to attend post-secondary school in the upcoming year, or any players under the age of 18. I'm looking and grading players as I do with my MLS Mock Draft work and evaluating the players who I feel have the greatest upside/potential with the goal of creating a successful club in the Canadian Premier League.



10. CHRIS MANNELLA - Vaughan Azzurri



Mannella's history from Toronto FC Homegrown signing, to not really be given an opportunity for the MLS side, has been well documented. To his credit, and which also says a lot about him as a player, he has chosen to play with Vaughan Azzurri in League1 Ontario this season. My first impression of Chris was with a very talented Toronto FC Academy side in inaugural season of L1O where he stood out as a team leader. Many players from that side deserve to play in the CanPL and I believe Mannella will have the same influence in the CanPL as well and a great player to build a team around.








9. DOMINIC SAMUEL, SIGMA FC



The second natural defender on this list, but in Sigma fashion can play multiple roles. Samuel played on a dominant side in college at Southern New Hampshire University, which saw him gain All American Awards. He trialed with New England in MLS and eventually played for Rochester in USL where he played 26 games last season, mostly as a right back. A very consistent player, like other Sigma players, Samuel knows what it takes to win and despite his natural athleticism it’s his awareness on the field that impresses you when you watch him play.




8. DYLAN CARREIRO, Woodbridge Strikers



Outside of some Sigma FC US College players, Carreiro might have been the most high profile players in League1 Ontario last season. He has a track record that includes playing for Toronto FC Academy, Queens Park Rangers Youth Team in England and 25 professional games with Dundee and Abroath in Scotland. He also been capped by Canada at all youth levels. Carreiro showed to be a very smart player with Woodbrdige last season by dictating and controlling games. He works well with his teammates and as a natural winger who can help establish a strong passing game, compared to potentially more athletically gifted players but not as smart in the same position.

7. BRANDON JOHN, Vaughan Azzurri



One of the more difficult roles to fill for a CanPL side could be in defense, a role that Brandon John could slot in. The 22 year old started his career in the TFC Academy before moving on to Germany and playing with FC Erzgebirge Aue. Last season John played with Seattle Sounders II and was playing very well until he torn his ACL and missed the rest of the 2016 season. Now playing Vaughan in L1O, John has the same athletic upside as Grant, but is also a natural defender and can establish himself as a no-nonsense center back in the CanPL, which all leagues and teams need.

6. ELVIR GIGOLAJ, FC London



Outside of Ewart, Elvir Gigolaj might be the least known on this list, although his goal scoring record says something else. The reigning League1 Ontario golden boot winner, who scored 23 goals in 20 games last season has always been known in London as a prolific goalscorer and a next level talent. Elvir did play with FC Edmonton in NASL from 2012 to 2013, scoring his first professional goal in the 90th minute against Fort Lauderdale, but like many Canadian talent was not given the minutes to prove himself at that level. There are a number of Canadian goal scorers available to CanPL sides, including other players in League1 Ontario. At 24, I feel Gigolaj can establish as a consistent goal scorer and could become the CanPL Domenic Mobilio.

5. GIULIANO FRANO, SIGMA FC



Another player with professional experience, Frano played 50 USL games with Seattle Sounders 2 and Vancouver Whitecaps 2 where he also scored three goals. The 23 year old also played two years at Boston College in one of the toughest divisions in NCAA soccer. Frano offers more grit than other players on this list and has shown he's willing to play 90 minutes no matter what the circumstances are. Like other Sigma players, Frano has shown an ability to play multiple positions, although is probably best in a defensive midfield role where he is able to tackle his opponents as well as be a distributor of the ball. I believe Frano would go down in CanPL history as a player who is willing to put himself on the line to win.

4. QUILLAN ROBERTS, Woodbridge Strikers



Speaking of players who you can build a team around, Goalkeeper Quillan Roberts also fits this mold. In my opinion, maybe the player Toronto FC treated the worst in terms of doing what is asked but not being rewarded for his effort. With Toronto FC reserve clubs, Roberts was asked to be the savior of a team with poor defense, and while on loan to a more established pro club in Wilmington, he was one of the top USL keepers in terms of Goal Against and Saves. Still only 22 years old, a CanPL side could build a club knowing that they have strong goalkeeper, although the only reason I rank him lower is the amount of other Canadian goalkeeping talent that should be available to CanPL clubs.

3. JOSEPH DI CHIARA, Vaughan Azzurri



The most professionally aware player in League1 Ontario, it is almost absurd that no Canadian MLS side has try to sign Di Chiara since returning from playing pro soccer in Russia and Hungary in 2013. Di Chiara is a classic central midfielder who pulls the strings and can be relied on for 80 touches per game. A Michael Bradley-type player who can do a number of things on the field as well, if asked, play a number of positions. Di Chiara doesn't have the athleticism of Grant or the upside of in my opinion of Ewart, but is a perfect player to build a team around, and at 25 years old still has a number of prime years of professional soccer ahead of him.

2. JONATHAN GRANT, SIGMA FC



Like Ewart, Grant has great upside but has also established himself as a pro over the last few years. The 23 year old has played with FC Montreal and Swope Park Rangers in USL and was an every game starter in Canada's last U23 Olympic Qualifying Team. A versatile player, being able to play multiple positions, I like what Sigma has done this year with Grant in L1O allowing him to play more upfront and he has rewarded Sigma scoring two goals against TFC III. Grant doesn't have the technique of other top Canadian youth talents, but his athleticism allows him to be a dominant force and he also has the experience to not only play every game with a CanPL side, but become be a leader as well.

1. DUWAYNE EWART, Durham United



Looking at the list of players, one might think ranking Ewart number one overall would be a surprise. Although I feel Ewart has the greatest upside not only for players playing in League1 Ontario, but also compares very well with current professional players such as Raheem Edwards at Toronto FC, Marco Bustos at Vancouver Whitecaps and Ballou Tabla with the Montreal Impact. Ewart is listed with Durham United but has yet to play for them after being with Pittsburgh Riverhounds in USL the year prior. To be honest, there has been concerns regarding Ewart's professionalism, although he just turned 19 years of age and maybe outside of Tabla no player in North America has impressed me live more than when I got the chance to see Ewart play. For the Canadian Premier League to be a success you need exciting players and Ewart fits that criteria. Although most CanPL-ready players are more hard working than game breakers, and if dedicated, not only could Ewart be a star in the CanPL but go on to greater opportunities beyond the league.

Interestingly my top 10 could be starting lineup in the CanPL on its own and I believe as a side would be competitive in current leagues such as USL and NASL. I feel there is another 50 or so senior players in L1O that could also be looked as potential CanPL players and a number of youth players with even greater upside.

Although it should be said my own soccer scouting database includes over 100,000 players worldwide, many who I think would be interested in potentially playing in the Canadian Premier League. I expect the CanPL to be very competitive and none of the players above or others will or should have a free ride. So the players above will have to play at their best to be successful in CanPL, although I would not be shocked in 10 years time if most of these names are regarded as CanPL greats.

Aaron Neilsen is a co-founder of Prospect XI (Prospect Eleven), a scouting network and online magazine dedicated to tracking/highlighting young players that refer to as "prospects" as well as their development pathways both within North America and worldwide. Follow PXI via www.prospectxi.com  or on twitter @ProspectXI.