| Final Score: Cavalry FC 1-1 Forge FC Goalscorers: Camargo 25'; Wright 31' (Pen.) Game of the 2025 season: 106 CPL Match: 701 |
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Match in a minute or less
Another thrilling contest in the ongoing Cavalry-Forge rivalry ended in a 1-1 draw on Friday night, a point that ultimately helped both sides take a step toward their respective targets.
Sergio Camargo opened the scoring in the 25th minute, before Forge's Brian Wright replied with his 10th of the season from the penalty spot in the 31st.
With the draw, Forge move one step closer to lifting the CPL Shield for a second consecutive season. Should Atlético Ottawa lose on Sunday, they are regular season winners. Regardless of the result in the capital, however, Forge know that they lift the Shield with a victory on the final matchday of the season next Saturday.
Three Observations
Forge and Cavalry play to a spirited draw that keeps both in control of their destiny
It is safe to say that, given the history between these two teams, a draw will never truly be a satisfying result for either side in this fixture.
That was clear from the opening whistle on Friday night during a fiercely contested battle at ATCO Field. In a thrilling match that was played with a playoff-like atmosphere and intensity and Calgary, the teams traded goals, chances and heavy fouls.
But with a point apiece, both Forge and Cavalry left the pitch knowing they had done enough to maintain control of their fate heading into the final matchday of the season.
Forge in fact, could clinch the shield later this weekend for a second consecutive year. Should Atlético Ottawa lose on Sunday against Vancouver FC, the regular-season title is theirs. Regardless of Ottawa's results, however, Forge know that defeating York United next Saturday at home means lifting the CPL Shield.
Cavalry are still locked into a fight for third place, which they could have secured with a victory on Friday. But given York United were held to a 2-2 draw on Thursday against Pacific FC, Cavalry's draw was enough that anything other than a loss in their final match of the season against Vancouver FC in Langley, or any dropped points by York or Halifax, and they will host the semi-final qualifier at ATCO Field against the winner of those two aforementioned teams.
These are two sides that are used to being the hunted vs. the hunters over the course of their history. So, going into the final matchweek of the season with destiny in their hands will suit both of these teams incredibly well.
Despite international absences, Cavalry FC put in a strong performance
Friday night was always going to be a big test for Cavalry FC's depth, with Ali Musse, Mihail Gherasimencov and Shamit Shome away on international duty, and Michael Baldisimo suspended.
That meant four changes from last Sunday's 3-3 draw with Pacific FC. Levi Laing drew in at right back, allowing Fraser Aird to play in a more advanced right-wing role. Cavalry also deployed a new-look double pivot in midfield with Eryk Kobza partnering Niko Myroniuk.
"I think that's my 71st midfield pair this year," joked Tommy Wheeldon Jr. after the match. "That's the reality, whether it be injuries, international duties. I think the lads have done a great job."
Against one of the league's best midfields, both Kobza and Myroniuk held their own. Kobza won all four of his duels, including three in the air, and was unlucky not to score on a brilliant first-half strike from outside the box, on which Jassem Koleilat made a save of the year candidate. Myroniuk, meanwhile, made some vital interventions at key moments, and completed a tidy 81 per cent of his passes.
Cavalry certainly missed the game-breaking ability of Musse, who they still have not won in five games without in the lineup this season. But they still found a way to generate attacking moments, particularly through set pieces -- including Sergio Camargo scoring his eighth of the season on a corner kick to earn a vital point.
"Let's be honest, I think that was Forge's best side they could put out," said Wheeldon Jr, "and that was far from our best side. And I think, look at the stats as well, we've had a right go at them."
Forge pick up another big road result for club-record 26th away point of the season
This season, one of Forge's many targets included maintaining the dominant home form they had in 2024, while securing more results away. With their single-season club record 26th away point of the season, Forge unquestionably accomplished the latter over their 14 road matches in 2025.
The club's previous club record for "away" points was 25 set in 2022, but it is worth noting that many of those came in the Winnipeg bubble.
Instead, they have travelled across Canada this year with a remarkable consistency, showing incredible fight again on Friday to battle back after going down a goal early and earning a crucial point. That determination and unwillingness to go down without a fight have been key catalysts in Forge's success wherever they have played this season.
The notable exception, perhaps, was a 4-1 loss they suffered against Cavalry at ATCO Field on August 30 -- unquestionably their worst performance of the season. Setting that right in some measure on Friday, at least as far as the effort was concerned, will feel cathartic for this Forge side.
The Hamilton club have also been willing to play a bit more cautiously when they need to in order to earn important points. That was the case again on Friday, when knowing the significance of earning a point, they brought on Malik Owolabi-Belewu and Ben Paton late, going to a back three to see out the match.
"Just managing games a little bit better on the road," said Smyrniotis. "And that comes down to us as a coaching staff, just how we take our decisions, how aggressive we want to be, sometimes how passive we want to be, to find different opportunities on the pitch. I think it's been a little bit of a mix of that and a great group of players that can switch things up from week to week, they can follow tactically quite well. And I think that's been the success both at home and away."
If all goes to plan, Forge won't have to play on the road again this season. Winning the CPL Shield would mean they host the Championship qualifier. Win that, and they host the 2025 CPL Final. But should plans change, as they often do this time of year, Forge will head into the playoffs more than confident that they can win wherever the wind takes them.
What They Said
"I don't think we're a team that anybody would want to face in the playoffs, add to that we're also the defending champions, so we have experience in these cagey matches. And as you've seen today, the weather's turning, the pitch is slick, but we're able to adapt. And I think that's a key part of our team." — Cavalry FC head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr.
"We know we come here, and of course it's always going to be a difficult game, playing Cavalry, playing here. Very good atmosphere. But I thought, very good execution in the first half, I thought we were good for maybe something else in that half. Very good and a bit more balance in the second half. You see a little bit of playoff football in that match." — Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis
CanPL.ca Player of the Match
Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson, Forge FC
The central defender's steady play proved crucial to Forge earning a point. He won eight of 11 duels, completed 35 of 41 passes and won five fouls, including the one that led to Brian Wright's goal from the penalty spot.
What’s next?
Both Forge FC and Cavalry are in action on Saturday, October 18 as all eight CPL teams play at the same time on the final day of the 2025 CPL season in The Outcome at 4 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. MT.
Forge host York United on the day, while Cavalry FC head further west, where they will face Vancouver FC in Langley.
Watch all CPL and Canadian Championship matches live on OneSoccer. 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.
