2026 Cavalry FC and CPL thread

[shermanator]

I've heard to buy a size down but I'll report back when mine arrives

[shermanator]

They have a size chart on the website now and for sure order a size down.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Watching Vancouver FC play Cruz Azul this evening is annoying. Great for them and the stadium looks great under the lights, but man I hope Tommy and his staff are feeling embarrassed about that one

[MegaErtz]

These guys are getting absolutely dominated physically.

[Slava]

Well we signed a midfielder, Harry Paton who played the end of the season with Forge. i don't remember him there, but hopefully he's a good player. In looking at his history he was in Europe before, but I really don't know much about him.

[shermanator]

Would rather have Shome but Paton is a good pickup. Lots of experience in Scotland with Ross County and Motherwell. Think he played with Loturi at Ross County for a bit?

Box-to-box midfielder which we definitely need. Not a lot of Forge stink on him.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

His highlights show some late arriving goal scoring ability which would be an added bonus to the midfield group. Decent resume, but I can’t say I know much about him other than recognizing his name which has been around for years

[ditty]

Any rumours on where Musse, Shome or Aird may end up? I'm especially intrigued to see where Musse and Shome land. I think both have the ability to play at a higher level. I guess it's still relatively early but I thought we'd hear something by now.

[Slava]

I don't have a legit landing place, but I've heard the US for Musse.

[shermanator]

I imagine Aird will sign elsewhere in the league and will haunt Cavalry.

It sounds like Shome will go outside of the league as a few folks have talked to him and he said he'll come back to watch games.

Musse, no idea.

Disclaimer: talking out my ass here.

[agulati]

Cavalry have signed 23 year old Canadian forward Nathaniel Edwards. Sounds like he was part of the Toronto FC system.

https://www.canpl.ca/cavalryfc/news/...ulti-year-deal

[M*A*S*H 4077]

From the article

“We’ve spent a long time tracking Nathaniel and he’s a player we’re very excited about,” said Tommy Wheeldon Jr., Head Coach & General Manager, Cavalry FC. “He has outstanding technique, versatility to play on either side, and exceptional athleticism.

From that I assume he's a winger. Which is good because the wings look real thin at the moment after beyond Ntginee

[shermanator]

I know nothing about Edwards but what I do know is Forge will finish bottom of the table

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Originally Posted by shermanator

I know nothing about Edwards but what I do know is Forge will finish bottom of the table

Their goalkeeper is fricken good though. Some of his saves against Tigres last week were unreal

[MillerTime GFG]

I spoke with a Cavs coach, and they are really high on Edwards - "big, strong, and rapid" I think were his words. They're quite high on their new signings, and think the team will be better than they were last year. Take it with a grain of salt, but that's their outlook.

In regards to Aird not being extended, which I know a lot of ppl were upset about...they really liked him as a person and a leader, and had great services into the box, but his analytics were not good. Something like 70% of goals conceded came from his side of the pitch.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

In regards to Aird not being extended, which I know a lot of ppl were upset about...they really liked him as a person and a leader, and had great services into the box, but his analytics were not good. Something like 70% of goals conceded came from his side of the pitch.

Interesting, thanks for sharing. I'm not super surprised. He refused to close down crosses last year

For me I'm not heartbroken about him being gone. I generally look at fullbacks and wingers as more replaceable than the spine of the team. Get the spine right and the rest can fit around it

[Muta]

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

In regards to Aird not being extended, which I know a lot of ppl were upset about...they really liked him as a person and a leader, and had great services into the box, but his analytics were not good. Something like 70% of goals conceded came from his side of the pitch.

Can confirm this; spoke with someone in the know as well, and Aird's analytics were simply not good. This is the only reason why.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

I spoke with a Cavs coach, and they are really high on Edwards - "big, strong, and rapid" I think were his words. They're quite high on their new signings, and think the team will be better than they were last year. Take it with a grain of salt, but that's their outlook.

In regards to Aird not being extended, which I know a lot of ppl were upset about...they really liked him as a person and a leader, and had great services into the box, but his analytics were not good. Something like 70% of goals conceded came from his side of the pitch.

This tracks to me, felt like a lot of attacks came through that side. I sort of assumed the right side was so porous because of Musse not tracking back at all, but I can see how Aird may have been an issue defensively. I think his set pieces and passing are going to be missed, and moving him up the pitch/signing a better all around winger for him to work with might have been a solution.

Hoping the next couple signings blow my socks off, but I am not at all convinced yet that this team is better. All the signings feel like laterals at best. Would love to be proven wrong though. The spine of the team is critical and it doesn't feel better than before (yet). If Didic isn't healthy and there isn't one more proven CM (based on his limited minutes at Forge, Paton is not a step up on Shome or even Gutierrez), I feel like 8th could be as likely as 1st.

[MillerTime GFG]

If Didic is healthy, he's a definite upgrade there though.

[MegaErtz]

Forge are going to get spanked tonight, it won't even be close.