| Final Score: Atlético Ottawa 2-1 Cavalry FC (a.e.t.) Goalscorers: Rodríguez 40', 107'; Aird 33' (pen.) 2025 CPL Playoffs Final |
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Match in a minute or less
In a snowy spectacle in the nation's capital that decided the 2025 Canadian Premier League champion, Atlético Ottawa defeated Cavalry FC 2-1 in extra time to win their first North Star Cup.
David Rodríguez's delightful double delivered victory for the hosts, including an audacious first-half bicycle kick and a sensational chip in extra time that stood as the winner. A Fraser Aird penalty opened the scoring for the Cavs.
The 120 minutes of action were often delayed as snow needed to be cleared off of the TD Place pitch, particularly the lines, every 15 minutes. Before the two sides played extra time, a snowplow came onto the pitch to clear the snow.
But despite the conditions, the two sides put on an unforgettable show that those in Ottawa and around the world will be talking about for years to come.
With the victory, and a performance, that pushed the club onto the global stage, Atlético Ottawa will now play on it for the first time as they qualify for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Three Observations
'Best season ever': Rodríguez brace wins 2025 CPL Final in extra time
Can he do it on a snowy day in the nation's capital?
As if it wasn't already clear how special a talent David Rodríguez is, no amount of snow and sleet could slow the talents of Atlético Ottawa's number 7 in the 2025 CPL Final. His spectacular bicycle kick will go down as one of the most incredible goals scored in a footballing final. Period. It was the viral highlight of a sensational match from the 23-year-old, who looked the most dangerous player on the pitch throughout and delivered a championship for the capital club.
By the time his extra time chip over Marco Carducci had nestled into the back of the snowy net, Rodríguez's name was already written as the second ever CPL Finals MVP. The goal stood as the winner.
"Zero," said Rodríguez of his experience with snow. "February when I got here, but it was just from my apartment to the car... like I say, I came to a locker room and I was excited. I saw it was snowing, and I was like 'it's gonna be a good day'.
Given the conditions, his first touch and control were nothing short of spectacular, as was his effort, as he wasn't afraid to get stuck in in the snowy conditions contesting 21 duels. Rodríguez finished the match with six shot attempts, two chances created, completed three dribbles and won possession seven times.
But to make Sunday's final all about one performance would be doing a massive disservice to a special season from this entire Atlético Ottawa team. Be it some spectacular saves from Nathan Ingham in goal, Manny Aparicio's stunning ball over the top on the match winner and so many other moments of magic in the snow, Atlético Ottawa put in a performance deserving of champions.
"It doesn't exist a plan to play in the snow, we need to play with pride, with the head" said Diego Mejía. "The guys start to play in the snow in the same way we do all season. Guys, I think it's fair to say now, the best season ever for a team in the CPL. We are champions."
They did so in front of the TD Place faithful, who were just as deserving, sticking it out through the snow and cold to cheer their team onto history in a moment that each of them will surely remember forever.
If there is any stat that underlines the character of this special Atlético Ottawa group, it is the fact that Sunday was the sixth time this season that they have come from behind to win a match this season. They did so twice in these CPL Playoffs alone.
Atlético Ottawa stuck to their system all year, regardless of opponent, and, on Sunday, the conditions. That is why they lifted the North Star Cup in front of their home fans on Sunday night.
'Snow globe' conditions create an unforgettable CPL Final
There were snowplows clearing the turf, the lines were shovelled to be visible every fifteen minutes, an orange ball pinged around the pitch and the snow didn't relent for the entire 120 minutes.
The 2025 CPL Final felt as much heritage moment as a football match played against an archetypal Canadian backdrop on the snowy tundra at TD Place.
As the match wore on and the snow built up, both sides were forced to adjust their approach, looking to scoop the ball into the air whenever they had the chance to avoid the building snow. Set pieces became vital, and controlling the ball fully at times became difficult.
Still, both sides were able to conjure up moments of magic within the conditions. Goteh Ntignee's slaloming run to win the penalty on which Cavalry opened the scoring was pure class.
David Rodríguez's 'icicle kick' overheard strike, meanwhile, is a moment that went into the league's history books the second the ball pinged the snow off the top corner over the net.Other chips and flicks continued to be pulled throughout the game as the teams pulled out some winter magic.
There have been some spectacular Canadian Premier League finals. Olimpicos in extra time, for example. But it is safe to say that nobody who played, coached, attended, or watched on TV had ever seen anything quite like this. Nor are they likely to again for a very long time.
'Character without question' as Cavalry FC face heartbreak again for defending champions
On Sunday, defending CPL champions Cavalry FC contested their third straight CPL Final.
For the second time in three years, they lost in nearly inexplicable fashion. After suffering Tristan Borges. The Olimpico. In extra time. They have now lost an unforgettable snow final against Atlético Ottawa in equally heartbreaking fashion.
But throughout these playoffs, Cavalry FC have proven worthy of their title of defending champions. In a final that could have gone either way, they had plenty of chances to win the match, or even equalize late. But the North Star Cup slipped from their fingers in the snow of Ottawa.
"The way our lads have done everything they have to be in the conversation, we've defended our trophy up until 10 minutes to the end of extra time in minus conditions, two feet of snow," said Cavalry FC manager Tommy Wheeldon Jr. "The character is without question."
Sergio Camargo, who returned from injury to come off the bench and deliver a strong performance in the CPL Final, made it clear how difficult it has been to defend that title all season.
"To Ottawa, it's difficult to defend your title every game this year, we felt our opponents rise up to the occasion of playing the defending champs," said Tommy Wheeldon Jr. "So that's definitely going to be a challenge next year. There's going to be no easy week for them, and especially when they play us next year."
Camargo then succinctly put together his emotions after almost four hours of battling in the snow.
"I'm tired, I'm cold, but I'm proud," said an emotional Sergio Camargo. "I'm proud of the performance that we put together."
CanPL.ca Player of the Match
David Rodríguez, Atlético Ottawa
The first player ever to score a brace in a CPL Final, especially in the fashion in which he did, Rodríguez was a unanimous choice for the second-ever CPL Final MVP.
What’s next?
Atlético Ottawa will now play in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup as the CPL champions, their first appearance in continental football. The draw for that competition will take place on Dec. 9.
Watch all of the CPL Playoffs live on OneSoccer and TSN. In addition to its website and app, OneSoccer is now available on TELUS channel 980 and on Fubo TV. Call your local cable provider to ask for OneSoccer today.
