Forge, Cavalry players dominate Canadian Premier League Best XI team

C.F. Monterrey midfielder Iker Fimbres (37) moves in on Hamilton Forge FC midfielder Kyle Bekker (10) as he takes a shot during round one of the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup in Hamilton, Ont., Wednesday, February 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn (Nick Iwanyshyn)

Forge FC and Atletico Ottawa dominate the 2025 Canadian Premier League Best XI team with five representatives from Forge, which topped the league’s regular-season standings, and Ottawa, the playoff champion.

Forge are represented by goalkeeper Jassem Koleilat, defenders Daniel Nimick and Rezart Rama, and midfielders Nana Ampomah and Kyle Bekker.

The Ottawa players chosen are defender Noah Abatneh, midfielder Manuel Aparicio and forwards David Rodriguez and Sam Salter.

The other two Best XI selections are Cavalry FC midfielder Sergio Camargo and Halifax Wanderers forward Tiago Coimbra.

The all-star squad was chosen by the league’s football department.

The Best XI features individual award winners, including Coimbra (Best U-21 Canadian Player), Koleilat (Golden Glove), Nimick (Defender of the Year) and Sam Salter (Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year).

Ottawa’s Rodríguez was also named the 2025 CPL final MVP, after scoring both of Ottawa’s goals in the snowy 2-1 win over Cavalry.

It marks the third straight Best XI selection for Bekker, while Ottawa’s Aparicio and Forge’s Nimick were chosen in 2023. The other eight selections are first-time Best XI honourees.

CPL Best XI

Goalkeeper: Jassem Koleilat, Forge FC.

Defenders: Noah Abatneh, Atletico Ottawa; Daniel Nimick, Forge FC; Rezart Rama, Forge FC.

Midfielders: Nana Ampomah, Forge FC; Sergio Camargo, Cavalry FC; Manuel Aparicio, Atletico Ottawa; Kyle Bekker, Forge FC.

Forwards: David Rodriguez, Atletico Ottawa; Tiago Coimbra, Halifax Wanderers FC; Samuel Salter, Atletico Ottawa.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 11, 2025