CCSG By The Numbers: 2025 Roster Breakdown (Part 4)

In this fourth and penultimate installment of the 2025 ATO roster breakdown, players #10 through #6 will be ranked! As a refresher, this series covers the statistical impact of each member of the Atlético Ottawa roster, going over their strengths and weaknesses based on their underlying numbers, their overall grade (based on my analytics model, a summary of which is available here), a few of my thoughts, and their contract situation next year. For those who missed the previous installments, they can be viewed here (Part 1), here (Part 2), and here (Part 3). At the end of the piece is the overall ranking table. Enjoy!

#10 - Tyr Duhaney-Walker (CB, 67.9 WPA)

Of the four youngsters who vied for starting spots on the backline (five with Mbomio), Duhaney-Walker was the one who graded out the best, but who most often sat on the pine. It is possible that these rankings are a product of the small sample size, but even last year, when he had a larger role, he scored just as well. I am sure I was not the only one who might have appreciated him getting some more looks. His dueling was only slightly above average, but he graded out well everywhere else and distributed the ball extremely well. 

Contract Status in 2026: Out of Contract

Personally, I would love to have him back next season, especially with all the transfer rumours swirling about pretty much every other member of our young defensive core. With enough game time, I think the sky is the limit for this kid, so having him back on a long-term contract and then profiting off a future sale should definitely be the plan.

#9 - Kevin dos Santos (WM, 70.0 WPA)

While there is nothing particularly flashy about dos Santos’ statistical spread, he performed well all around, as expected from a consistent starter in a hybrid winger/full-back role. His best ranks came from his crossing and chance creation, but he also rated well in tackling and dribbling. He wasn’t the largest contributor behind the ball or in duelling, but made up for it going forward. Dos Santos preferred to attack the goal with his dribbling or with a cross, which is a trait he's had since his Inter York 9 days, so his through-pass ranks were pretty mediocre for a winger, but he still showed up offensively. 

Contract Status in 2026: Out of  Contract

Another year of dos Santos will definitely not go amiss. Still relatively young, this was his first full season back from a late-season return from injury in 2024, so now with his feet under him and proven comfortable in Mejía’s system, 2026 would surely prove a good one for him.

#8: Aboubacar Sissoko (CM, 71.0 WPA)

The odd man out from last year’s midfield with the addition of Castro, Sissoko served more of a utility/swiss-army-knife type role under Mejía in 2025. With limited minutes—almost exclusively off the bench—he played as a midfielder (both defensive and offensive), a wingback, and even once as a centre-back. Statistically, his numbers reflect that small sample size; however, he did rank well in drawing fouls, but the rest shows the ups and downs of someone who only played a handful of minutes each game and in multiple positions. That being said, he was responsible for that goal-line clearance in the Final, so no matter what he has bought himself free drinks for life in Ottawa.

Contract Status in 2026: Out of Contract

Like Duhaney-Walker, I would love to have Sissoko back for next year. I thought he played his part admirably off the bench, but the question remains whether he wants another season like that. He has never really had a concrete starting role during his time in Ottawa, and frankly not during most of his time in the CPL outside of one season with Forge, so he might look for greener grass somewhere else–Supra, anyone?

#7: Alberto Zapater (CDM, 71.3 WPA)

El Toro started his career with a trophy in sunny Spain and ended it with a trophy in snowy Ottawa. This season didn’t reach the highs of his previous two seasons in the capital, with him mostly coming off the bench to close out crucial games, but like Sissoko he played his role to perfection. His higher ranking comes mostly from his small-sample-inflated scores in ball distribution, something he has always performed well in, and like Sissoko, he shows a lot of ups and downs in his other ranks. A Zaragoza legend retiring in Ottawa is something odes will be written about, and we are eternally grateful he chose us to perform his swan song with. 

#6: Samuel Salter (ST, 72.0 WPA)

Before my house gets burned down in retaliation, Sam Salter was absolutely the best striker in the CPL this season, and can be argued as the best goal-scorer in league history—period. My model ranks performances on a rate basis, so someone playing slightly better in fewer minutes will get boosted above someone who appeared in almost every minute possible this season, even if the latter did put up monster counting stats and broke every scoring record possible. I think the biggest thing to take away from this profile is not the scoring metrics, which we know to be slightly deflated, but the general outline of his game—he was used more like an out-an-out striker this season in Mejía’s system and had to do less build-up work himself. However, when he was called upon to do so, he improved his distribution success rates from last year, and, even if the stats don’t suggest marked improvement in his duelling, I thought he excelled at bringing the ball down with his back to goal and laying it off for an onrushing Ballou Tabla or David Rodríguez, something he didn’t attempt as much as I would have liked in previous seasons, nor something he was good at when he did.

His monster season earned him a pre-contract agreement with GAIS in the Swedish first tier, where he will be plying his trade alongside Matteo de Brienne in European continental competition no less! For the first time in Ottawa history, we had an explosive striker capable of linking up with his peers, and it very tangibly paid off, both for him and us fans. All hail the Salt Bae, we thank you for your service and wish you the best of luck!

And with those last two soldiers leaving us in 2026, that wraps up Part 4 of this roster breakdown. The last article should be coming out next week, and while you may know who is included, the final order will be revealed then! Toodles!