Valour FC today selected two players in the 2023 CPL-U SPORTS Draft. By drafting these players, the club will now have the option to bring them into preseason camp and explore the possibilities of developmental contracts.

With their first pick, first overall, Valour FC selected Owen Sheppard (forward) out of Cape Breton University.

Sheppard, 21, spent the past three seasons playing for the Cape Breton Capers (Cape Breton University.) Sheppard totaled 16 goals during his time at Cape Breton, including a team-leading nine goals in 11 games in 2023.

This season, the forward was named Tournament MVP at the U SPORTS Men’s Soccer Championship, while also securing a national title with the Capers.

With their second pick, 9th overall, Valour FC selected Gianfranco Facchineri (defender) out of the University of Windsor.

Facchineri, 21, spent the 2023 season with Windsor City FC, making 15 appearances and scoring two goals.

In 2023, the defender was named Defender of the Year for League1 Ontario’s Men’s Premier Division and was also named to the league’s First Team All-Star team.

Facchineri began his professional career when he signed a first-team Homegrown Player contract with the Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS) in 2020. Throughout two seasons with the Whitecaps, the defender was loaned to CPL side Atlético Ottawa, and San Diego Loyal SC (USL).

Internationally, Faccineri was named captain of the Canadian U17 team for the 2019 CONCACAF U-17 Championship. He has made seven appearances for the Canadian U17 squad, totalling 660 minutes played.

Owen Sheppard

Position: Forward
Height: 5’8
Birthdate: March 24, 2002
Birthplace: St. John’s, Newfoundland
Nationality: Canadian
Last Club: Cape Breton University

Gianfranco Facchineri

Position: Defender
Height: 6’1
Birthdate: April 27, 2002
Birthplace: Windsor, Ontario
Nationality: Canadian
Last Club: Windsor City FC