Cormac Rea - League1 Ontario Senior Communications/ Editorial

With nearly 150 former League1 players already signed on at pro clubs around the globe, and loads of talent on display in the league in recent years, we had a lot to choose from in the prospect pool. To narrow it down, we restricted the list to players that had a strong 2018 season, which was not easy with so many standout options.

Yet it begs the question: who are some of your personal favourite League1 prospects from over the years that could be CPL impact players??

Zak Drake (Vaughan SC) - One of a select few of the 2018 League1 Champions, Vaughan Azzurri, starting team that hasn't yet been snatched up. A very versatile player, Drake played as a central mid for Vaughan, breaking up plays and going box-to-box, but has typically been a right back at pro level. Has several years pro experience, including USL (Las Vegas Lights), Portugal, Germany and Australia. Word has it he's been on the radar of several CPL sides; he wasn't selected to the CPL/ League1 Combine due to being "protected" by a CPL club he had been trialing with at the time. A consummate professional and the type of journeyman Canadian player that this league was made for.

Jace Kotsopolous (Vaughan SC) - Emerged on the League1 scene with Vaughan in 2018 and caught attention immediately. One of the most natural scorers we have seen in the league's five seasons, Kotsopolous averaged a goal every half and personified the young, quick, technically skilled talent that Vaughan has been bringing through. He was also named the USports Player of the Year in 2018 and taken in the CPL/ USports Draft by Forge FC, but remains to be seen if they will take the option to sign him. Bonus is that he is now done school so the CPL club wouldn't lose him back to uni in the fall.

Charlie Anagho-Ntamark (Sigma FC) - Not a Canadian but had an outstanding season for Sigma, especially coming off the bench to score deciding goals. Ntamark has the pedigree that many players would kill for, having grown up in the English Academy system with Aston Villa and then adding to that with some good North American experience at the highly-rated Monteverde Academy. Built like a bull, technical and speedy, Ntamark is a true game changer. Only downside to the Englishman is that he is not Canadian, so his signing would take up a foreign player slot.

Emmanuel Issac (Woodbridge Strikers) - Woodbridge's Issac has been banging goals in for fun in League1 for years. He's played in several League and Cup Finals and his strikes have often been the stuff of highlight reels. Also rumoured to be on trial at one or two CPL organizations but not yet snatched up, Issac is entering his prime at 24 years of age. The type of character player that plays on the edge, but who has certainly matured into a Woodbridge leader and deserves a look at the next level.