Valour FC 2021 Season Preview

The hosts of this year’s kickoff tournament took a few steps forward last year with a few impressive performances at the Island Games, including a 4-0 win over Ottawa and a 2-2 draw with Forge, but still fell well short of making the second round. Another season of roster overhaul followed, with a focus on experienced internationals mixed with young domestic players. It’s high time for one of the league’s original teams to make some noise in a positive way, but despite improvements there’s still a few gaps in the roster that could lead to another disappointing season for Rob Gale’s side.

Key Arrivals

Rafael Galhardo, D/M (2020: Vasco da Gama, Brazil)

The 29-year-old Brazilian arrives in Winnipeg from the Brazilian top tier, bringing with him more than 100 games of experience and a brief stint with Belgian giants Anderlecht (who paid 1 million euros for his services). Undoubtedly, this is one of the league’s most impressive international signings. A rightback by trade, Galhardo is likely to feature in a central midfield role for Valour.

Keven Alemán, M/W (2020: FC Edmonton)

The big intra-league signing for Valour this year, Alemán should add some much-needed flair to the side if he can bounce back from a disappointing Island Games with Edmonton. He can slot in a central role or on the wing, where he’s likely to feature most often for Gale. Before moving to Edmonton, he played a key role for Sacramento in USL for two seasons, and Valour will be hoping he can recapture that form. He did have a successful loan spell over the winter with Guadalupe in the Costa Rican premier division, that Valour will be hoping he can carry forward.

William Akio, F (2020: UTRGV, NCAA)

We’ve been waiting to see Akio get a chance in CPL after being a key member of Calgary Foothills in 2019, and with Valour’s forward line, he has the opportunity for a regular starter. A quality finisher with pace to burn, Akio could be a surprise package to the rest of the league.

Other arrivals: Tony Mikhael, D (2020: Carleton, USports); Andy Baquero, D (2020: Delfines del Este, Dominican Republic); Jared Ulloa, M (2020: Sporting Cristal, Peru - loan); Jonathan Sirois, G (2020: Montreal, MLS - loan); Sean Rea, M (2020: Montreal, MLS - loan); Rodrigo Reyes, D (2020: Guadalajara, Mexico - loan)

Big Departures

James Pantemis, G (Montreal - end of loan)

Pantemis was one of the top keepers at the Island Games, and gave his club a chance in most games. His performance has been rewarded with MLS appearances this season, and a Canadian national team call-up. Much of Valour’s success this season will depend on whether Jonathan Sirois and Matt Silva can bring a similar level of goalkeeping.

Shaan Hundal, F (Fort Lauderdale, USL Championship)

Hundal never really got off the mark at the Island Games, being kept off the scoresheet (although tallying 2 assists). However, the 21-year-old Canadian striker has already shown his quality with his new side, tallying 5 goals already this season in USL, suggesting that his usage in Rob Gale’s system was the issue, not a lack of talent. If Valour’s strikers can’t find the mark consistently in 2021, Hundal’s loss could loom large.

Dylan Carreiro, M (retired)

Another disappointing retirement of a young Canadian, Carreiro had been with Valour since day one, playing 30 matches and scoring 3 league goals for the club over the first 2 seasons. Carreiro’s departure leaves a hole in the Valour midfield, although the addition of Rafael Galhardo and the emergence of Moses Dyer should patch it over. Regardless, these types of retirements will continue to reflect poorly on the league.

Other departures: Fraser Aird, W (FC Edmonton); Yohan Le Bourhis, D (free agent); Chakhib Hocine, D (free agent); Solomon Kojo Antwi, W (free agent); Diego Gutiérrez, M (Barnechea, Chile)

Likely lineup

G

Matt Silva has the experience, but Jonathan Sirois is a highly-rated youngster from the Montreal academy system, and we expect him to get his chance to replace fellow Montrealer Pantemis.

D

Andrew Jean-Baptiste will continue to anchor the Valour backline, and we’re expecting him to be partnered by on-loan Mexican youngster Rodrigo Reyes, who joins from CD Guadalajara for the season. On the left side, experienced Arnold Bouka Moutou will get a chance to impress after an unfortunate injury last season, and on the right, recently-signed Cuban international Andy Baquero is likely to get a chance to start, with Canadian Stefan Cebara also likely to feature often.

M

Sitting in front of the backline will be fan favourite Raphael Ohin, who really took a step forward at the Island Games. In front of him will be Moses Dyer in a box-to-box role, and most likely Rafael Galhardo as well, in a slight departure from his usual rightback role. Experienced José Galán and on-loan youngster Sean Rea are also likely to be regulars in the centre of the park.

F

We’re expecting (or at least hoping) to see William Akio get a good chance to start up front for Valour, although Austin Ricci will be given a shot as well. Whichever striker starts up top is likely to be flanked by Alemán on the right and Brett Levis on the left - a pretty solid combination.

Keep an eye on: Moses Dyer - the New Zealand international started slowly at the Island Games but really grew into his role, which should continue to be expanded in 2021.

Big Question: Has Pantemis been adequately replaced?

Jonathan Sirois comes highly-regarded from Montreal, but at the end of the day, is only 19 years old - 4 years younger than Pantemis last year. Valour’s other keeper, the more experienced Matt Silva, has only made one CPL appearance between two seasons with York and Valour, although he does have significant experience from the Swedish lower leagues. Will either of them (or a combination) be up to the task of replacing Pantemis? Valour’s success this year will depend on this.