Forge FC Hamilton get defensive in 2021 CPL university draft

Forge FC Hamilton drafted a pair of defenders with its first two picks in the Canadian Premier League university draft on Friday (Jan. 29).

With the 8th overall pick (1st round), Forge selected Montreal-native, Garven-Michée Metusala out of Concordia University. With the 9th overall pick (2nd round), Hamilton then selected Portugal-born, Jose da Cunha who attended Cape Breton University.

The 6-foot-1 Metusala (21) can also play defensive midfield due to his athleticism and passing ability. He was a member of Major League Soccer’s Montreal Impact Academy and represented Quebec in the 2017 Canada games.

Still only 19-year-old, Jose da Cunha stands 6-foot-1 and has earned an early reputation as a powerful central defender with a strong air game. Da Cunha also spent time with Sporting CP of Primeira Liga in Portugal.

Forge FC had the last pick in the first round as a result of winning the 2020 CPL Championship and the first pick in the second round due to its “snake” format.

The two-round draft saw 16 players selected overall by CPL clubs.

1^st Round CPL-U SPORTS Draft Selection:

1. FC Edmonton – Thomas Gardner – University of British Columbia
2. Atlético Ottawa – Cristopher Malekos – Carleton University
3. Valour FC – Yuba-Rayene Yesli – Université de Montréal
4. York United – Christopher Campoli – Ontario Tech University
5. Pacific FC – Christopher Lee – University of British Columbia
6. Cavalry FC – Victor Loturi – Mount Royal University
7. HFX Wanderers – Stefan Karajovanovic – Carleton University
8. Forge FC – Garven-Michée Metusala – Concordia University

2^nd Round CPL-U SPORTS Draft Selection:

9. Forge FC – Jose da Cunha – Cape Breton University
10. HFX Wanderers – Kareem Sow – Université de Montréal
11. Cavalry FC – Ethan Keen – Mount Royal University
12. Pacific FC – Victory Shumbusho – University of British Columbia
13. York United – Danial Rafisamii – Ontario Tech University
14. Valour FC – Tony Mikhael – Carleton University
15. Atlético Ottawa – Reggie Laryea – York University
16. FC Edmonton – Jackson Farmer – University of British Columbia

Draftees will be invited to each team’s preseason training, with the hopes of securing a 2021 U Sports Developmental Contract for the upcoming season. It allows a student-athlete with one to five years of U Sports eligibility remaining to sign with a CPL club while preserving their eligibility before returning to university competition.