Forge FC and coach Bobby Smyrniotis picked up a pair of young centre-backs in Friday’s 2021 CPL-U SPORTS Draft, broadcasted live on CanPL.ca and OneSoccer.

Concordia’s Garven-Michée Metusala (1st round, 8th overall) and Cape Breton’s José Maria Ribeiro da Cunha (2nd round, 9th overall) were snatched by Smyrniotis back-to-back in the snake draft and are set for Forge as first-year university talents.

All draft picks are invited to CPL training camp and, if retained by the club, can sign U SPORTS Development Contracts or fully-fledged professional deals, with the former allowing players to keep their university eligibility.

Here are Forge FC’s two picks at the 2021 CPL-U SPORTS Draft.

RELATED READING: CPL-U SPORTS Draft results

Garven-Michée Metusala (1st round, 8th overall) –Position: Defender
University: Concordia (1st Year)
Age: 21
Notable former clubs: CF Montreal, AS Blainville

Former CF Montreal Academy product Metusala arrives at Forge as one of the top defensive prospects on offer at the draft. Unlike many draftees, the 21-year-old Montreal, Que. native played matches in 2020 with PLSQ giants AS Blainville, who captured another league title.

Metusala is described as an athletic two-footed defender with a mental acumen well above his age. The Concordia first-year student’s passing range is also worth highlighting.

José Maria Ribeiro da Cunha (2nd round, 9th overall) – Position: Defender
University: Cape Breton (1st Year)
Age: 19
Notable former clubs: Sporting CP and Estoril Praia (Portugal)

Portugese left-footed defender José Maria Ribeiro da Cunha lands in Hamilton following a very peculiar path, starting with stops at high-profile youth setups in his native country – including Sporting CP and Estoril Praia. A modern day centre-back who’s comfortable with playing out from the back, the 19-year-old Cape Breton Caper has yet to play in U SPORTS but promises to be an intriguing defending prospect.