2025 Cavalry FC and CPL thread

[Slava]

I bought tickets and I’m going. I’m looking forward to it and there are some cheap flights (depending on whether you want to bring anything other than a purse, I suppose).

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by shermanator

So the Whitecaps owners are putting the club up for sale. San Diego FC's expansion club cost $500 million USD so you'd think the ask would be in that range. Is anyone or any group in Vancouver willing to put up that kind of money to keep the club in that market with no dedicated stadium? The Whitecaps are a big fish in Canada but a small fish in MLS.

Not that I think it will or should happen, but understandably there is a lot of concern from Whitecaps supporters about this meaning relocation.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1867638131761328464

They are run so poorly they should just move.
The drama around the Messi price gauging was the final straw for me and many casual supporters.

Now they're pretending to be selling on a high of record attendance and season tickets when all of those were purchased based on getting to see Messi anyway.
You cannot giveaway tickets to the Whitecaps.

[Matty81]

Lot of wealthy people in Vancouver, am sure they will sell. Needs better management but with the BC gov having basically built them a stadium for free I'm sure it's a desirable asset. I still think a lot of the root of their problems is playing in a concrete dome rather than a proper soccer stadium though. BC Place is soulless.

Sounds like Windsor to the CPL is done. Still stalled out in Kelowna

[CroFlames]

I saw a couple Whitecaps games at the old Empire and that was legitimately fun.

BC Place suuuuuucks.

[Muta]

Really? I've been to both; Empire was definitely fun, but I've always also had fun at the games at BC Place too. Sure is nice to sit inside in nice seats without the elements (wind, cold, heat) destroying you. I'm envious they have that venue there, would love something like that in Calgary.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Muta

Really? I've been to both; Empire was definitely fun, but I've always also had fun at the games at BC Place too. Sure is nice to sit inside in nice seats without the elements (wind, cold, heat) destroying you. I'm envious they have that venue there, would love something like that in Calgary.

BC Place is the Taj Mahal compared to Calgary facilities, for sure.

But BC Place sucks for soccer compared to, well, any soccer stadium.

[jayswin]

Just a heads up if anyone likes Cavalry gear, I had this jacket/pullover thrown to me by a player after the championship game but it doesn't really fit. It's an XL and may fit some XL guys but I feel it's closer to a large (a medium guy could probably be alright in it, too).

As far as I can tell by their website they're not selling these with the championship patch on them.

Listed on kijiji, but I'll definitely give a good discount to any CP'er that wants it.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-clothing-men...tch/1708563871

[jayswin]

To clarify the patch is for "The Final" and not for Cavalry winning it.

[shermanator]

Mark Noonan did a recent interview on TSN 690. In the interview he mentions that the league now owns OneSoccer.

https://www.tsn.ca/radio/montreal-69...ions-1.2228198

[shermanator]

Leg 1 of CONCACAF goes a month from now. That's going to come quick.

[Arsenal14]

Was there any announcement about the remaining club options for 2025? According to the end of season roster update press release Holliday, Harms, Montgomery, Daley, Henry, Shome, Musse and Shaw all had options that had to be triggered by December 31. I assume at least some of them were otherwise it's going to be a lot of turnover by the games next month.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Montgomery is back for sure, no idea about the others
Pre season started yesterday for them so I imagine we’ll find out news soon

[shermanator]

Front office was off on holidays. Have heard they'll announce things this week or maybe early next week. More focused on getting folks back to training.

[Arsenal14]

Listening to the AFTN podcast interview with Tommy he says they have the highest number of returnees ever. I think 20 is the number he mentioned so I guess most of the options were picked up.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

That's great to hear and what most of us assumed. Run it back

I'd like to see another left footed/left sided attacker added and I figure they'll be adding a defender with Klomp almost definitely moving on. Harms could/should be in line for an increased role too. Or if you're comfortable with Montgomery/Kobza/Harms/and potentially Trafford stepping into the backline look to add another midfielder for fresh legs/ideas

[shermanator]

Tommy did a 45 minute interview on AFTN's podcast this week. Some notes include:

- He was on the short list for the national team job but has not been approached for either the Whitecaps or TFC vacancies.
- Cavalry is going to California to play LAFC and Columbus in friendlies later this month.
- Squad will have around 20 players from last year returning.
- They are in talks with Jay Herdman to return.
- Bevan will never be back with the club.
- They are hoping to use McMahon for CONCACAF games in future years. Cited Montreal playing home games in Olympic Stadium as the precedent.
- Says he doesn't see the Wild as competition but as colleagues. Wants people to support both clubs with their wallets and not just with likes or clicks.
- No chance CPL moves to a winter schedule.
- He thinks it's a lot harder for players to move from CPL to Europe than it is for players to move from CPL to MLS.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by shermanator

Tommy did a 45 minute interview on AFTN's podcast this week. Some notes include:

- He was on the short list for the national team job but has not been approached for either the Whitecaps or TFC vacancies.
- Cavalry is going to California to play LAFC and Columbus in friendlies later this month.
- Squad will have around 20 players from last year returning.
- They are in talks with Jay Herdman to return.
- Bevan will never be back with the club.
- They are hoping to use McMahon for CONCACAF games in future years. Cited Montreal playing home games in Olympic Stadium as the precedent.
- Says he doesn't see the Wild as competition but as colleagues. Wants people to support both clubs with their wallets and not just with likes or clicks.
- No chance CPL moves to a winter schedule.
- He thinks it's a lot harder for players to move from CPL to Europe than it is for players to move from CPL to MLS.

Ugh. I think I would rather they just play these in Victoria.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Great that they're talking with Herdman to return. He was a revelation after Henry's injury

I was told they wanted to use Commonwealth this year but it was booked again and they are really looking forward to McMahon's new turf

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by shermanator

Tommy did a 45 minute interview on AFTN's podcast this week. Some notes include:

- He was on the short list for the national team job but has not been approached for either the Whitecaps or TFC vacancies.
- Cavalry is going to California to play LAFC and Columbus in friendlies later this month.
- Squad will have around 20 players from last year returning.
- They are in talks with Jay Herdman to return.
- Bevan will never be back with the club.
- They are hoping to use McMahon for CONCACAF games in future years. Cited Montreal playing home games in Olympic Stadium as the precedent.
- Says he doesn't see the Wild as competition but as colleagues. Wants people to support both clubs with their wallets and not just with likes or clicks.
- No chance CPL moves to a winter schedule.
- He thinks it's a lot harder for players to move from CPL to Europe than it is for players to move from CPL to MLS.

I think he mentioned on Barn Burner with Pinder he was on the shortlist for Canada. Or somewhere else, but I do remember that tidbit.

Great news Cavalry will play some MLS clubs. Things are not stagnant.

I liked Herdman I think he's a great fit at CPL level.

I hate McMahon, but better than nothing I guess.

CPL -> MLS -> Europe feels like natural progression. CPL is effectively the 2nd/3rd North American division.

[Muta]

Friendlies against LAFC and Columbus is an outstanding bit of news. Seems like the Cavs are really becoming engrained in the North American soccer community, and other leagues and clubs are taking notice. What a fun time to be a footy fan in Calgary.