Cavalry FC Captures First-Ever Canadian Premier League Title in Historic Win Over Forge FC

Calgary’s Cavalry FC has finally achieved the pinnacle of Canadian soccer by clinching their first-ever Canadian Premier League (CPL) title, defeating the formidable Forge FC 2-1 in a thrilling final held at ATCO Field on November 9, 2024. In a dramatic showdown filled with passion, grit, and redemption, the Calgary club ended years of close calls and near-misses to secure their place in CPL history.

A Long-Awaited Victory for Cavalry FC

For Cavalry fans, the championship victory is the result of six hard-fought seasons. Cavalry had come agonizingly close on multiple occasions, only to fall short at the final hurdle. This year, however, was different. With a crowd of 7,052 cheering fans at ATCO Field, the team channeled their past disappointments into a determined and relentless performance against their long-time rivals, Forge FC.

“They felt the pain—now they can taste the champagne,” remarked Cavalry FC’s head coach and general manager, Tommy Wheeldon Jr., following the match. “Winning is hard, and we’ve been at the doorstep before. But this is way more fun.”

A Dominant First Half Seals the Deal

Cavalry’s road to glory was paved by first-half goals from Tobias Warschewski and Sergio Camargo, two of the team’s standout offensive players this season. Warschewski, the CPL’s Golden Boot winner, opened the scoring with a clinical penalty kick in the 32nd minute after being fouled by Forge defender Dominic Samuel. His powerful top-shelf shot gave Cavalry an early lead and set the tone for the rest of the game.

Just seven minutes later, Warschewski was instrumental once again. After having his initial shot blocked, he regained possession and chipped the ball to Camargo, who coolly slotted it past Forge’s goalkeeper, Jassem Koleilat, to make it 2-0. Camargo’s goal would ultimately prove to be the game-winner in what he described as a “special moment.”

“I actually had tingles in the back of my neck when I scored,” said Camargo. “The crowd was cheering, and everyone was so happy. It was a moment I’ve been waiting for a very long time.”

Forge FC’s Resilient Fightback

The second half saw Forge FC rally as they sought to level the score. In the 52nd minute, Forge defender Alexander Achinioti-Jonsson managed to stretch out and redirect a loose shot into the far side of the Cavalry net, narrowing the deficit to 2-1. However, despite their storied reputation for finding ways to win in high-stakes matches, Forge could not overcome Cavalry’s solid defense and relentless energy.

“It was tough,” said Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis. “One team worked a little harder in the first 30 minutes, and that gave the other team an edge.”

The Trilogy Ends with a New Champion

This CPL final was dubbed “The Trilogy,” as it marked the third championship clash between Cavalry and Forge. Forge had emerged victorious in the previous two finals in 2019 and 2023, establishing themselves as a CPL dynasty. But this time, it was Cavalry’s turn to shine. Their triumph was not only a win on the scoreboard but also a symbolic victory over past struggles and a testament to their persistence.

“It feels good… finally,” said Cavalry captain and Calgary native, Marco Carducci, who has been with the club since its inaugural season in 2019. “We’ve been close. We got it done. We’ve been in games like this all season long, and that was the mentality we embraced.”

For Carducci and Camargo, both original team members, the victory carried extra meaning. The two shared an emotional embrace after the final whistle, reflecting on years of shared challenges and camaraderie.

A New Chapter for Cavalry FC and the Canadian Premier League

Cavalry FC’s win signals a new era for the club as they break Forge FC’s stronghold on the CPL title and secure the North Star Cup for the first time. Head coach Wheeldon Jr. expressed pride in his team’s achievement but hinted that they are far from done.

“We’ll take a day to celebrate and a day to bleed, and then we’ll move forward,” said Wheeldon. “But I tell you what… we’re going to have a hell of a party tonight.”

With this championship, Cavalry FC has cemented their place in CPL history and delivered a memorable season for their dedicated fans. As the celebrations continue in Calgary, the team looks forward to building on their success and defending their title in the upcoming season.

A Victory for Calgary and Canadian Soccer

Cavalry FC’s historic win in the CPL final against Forge FC is a proud moment for Calgary and a milestone for Canadian soccer. The win reflects the resilience, determination, and passion that have defined the team and their supporters. As the dust settles on this hard-earned victory, Cavalry FC can finally hold their heads high as champions of the Canadian Premier League.

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