Cavalry FC kicks aside history, beats host Forge in CPL playoff affair

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Cavalry FC will host its first Canadian Premier League finale since the soccer circuit’s inaugural 2019 campaign.

That’s because the Calgary club finally figured out a way to win a playoff game in Hamilton.

It came Sunday in a 1-0 clean sheet over Forge FC, marking the first time in four tries Cavalry has claimed a Canadian Premier League post-season victory at Tim Hortons Field.

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“It’s funny, because I knew we were going to win,” said Cavalry GM/head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. “I don’t know why, but I’ve just seen the way we trained and how we just kept ourselves to ourselves.

“So I’m not shocked. I’m just delighted for the boys.”

It was Tobias Warschewski with the only goal of the 1/2 playoff match in front of 6,521 fans.

The CPL’s Golden Boot Award winner — with 12 tallies during the regular season — displayed his goal-scoring brilliance in the 28th minute, when he tracked down goalkeeper Marco Carducci’s pass over the top of the Forge defence and dangled his way around Forge ‘keeper Jassem Koleilat while fighting off the grab of defender Garven Metusala.

“I think obviously the first goal was great,” said Cavalry veteran Bradley Kamdem Fewo. “It shows Toby’s quality — he’s been unbelievable all year. It obviously give us a lead, but we didn’t change our principles or anything. We stayed true to the game plan.”

Right to the end, as Carducci and his defence kept it clean for the shutout victory.

“From our side, I think defensively we were very good,” said Kamdem Fewo. “Not only the back four guys but the whole team was committed. The whole team gave everything on the pitch to make it difficult.

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“So … yeah … for us, we’re very happy to get a clean sheet, and it’s been a theme of ours this year to be strong defensively.”

Captain Carducci stopped all five Forge shots on target and had help from his post on one chance, plus he was all-world with that assist on Warschewski’s winner.

“He’s massive — like he’s number one on the game sheet and number one in our hearts, isn’t he?” said Wheeldon, referring to Carducci’s jersey number with a smile.

“This time last year, he was suffering, because of some Olimpico goal (in the championship loss in Hamilton). And that’s character — he has to show character to stand up, be brave and go again.

“But credit to him. He also had work with Jake Davis, our ‘keeper coach, about opportunities in possession. We play well, and we play short. But if teams are on the front foot, they leave the space in behind. And Marco spotted that (Sunday), and he was like Tom Brady (on the assist), wasn’t he?”

Much to the chagrin of three-time playoff champ Forge, which had never lost to Cavalry in a post-season match on home turf.

The Calgary club had even carried dominance — and sometimes scoreboard leads — against Forge at Tim Hortons Field, including last year’s CPL finale, but had always come way empty.

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Not this time, which surprised the hosts.

“We’ve given up a pretty uncharacteristic goal there,” said Forge boss Bobby Smyrniotis. “But in the second half, we’ve reacted well. And it’s not just chances. It’s clear chances to get goals from quality players in and around the box — and … yeah … it wasn’t there. And when it’s not there, that’s the result.”

Cavalry will take it, preferring to consider it a job well done itself in the first of two wins to capture the coveted North Star hardware — an honour as the CPL’s playoff king that has eluded the club despite five previously successful seasons.

“It took a lot of resilience and solidarity from the team,” continued Kamdem Fewo. “From Minute 1, we were together, got the goal and I think stayed true to our principles and we got the win on the road.

“So it feels amazing.”

Cavalry now prepares to host the championship game against the winner of next Saturday’s semifinal between Atlético Ottawa and host Forge in Hamilton.

That finale goes Saturday, Nov. 9, at Spruce Meadows’ ATCO Field (1 p.m., OneSoccer, OneSoccer.ca).

“It’s interesting,” added Wheeldon, of the feeling among his charges post-game. “We went in there (after the match), and there’s no locker-room pitches, no big things for social media … It’s just like, ‘Great — this is a great performance. Well done.’

“They’re proud of each other, but they’re focused on doing something we’ve not yet done yet, and we’re right there on the doorstep of it. But we know whoever we face, whether it be Forge or Ottawa, it’s going to be a tough game.”

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