2024 Cavalry FC and CPL thread

[The Big Chill]

They just look gassed now. Tough to be chasing the ball all game when we’re not in game shape.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Great hit from Gutierrez, shame it hit the defender

Camargo going 82 minutes is certainly a choice from Tommy…

[Ozy_Flame]

Camargo actually was generally solid tonight. 80 minutes is great for him.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

They fought, they battled, tough game. Was hoping they’d give themselves something to play for in Orlando but it’s nearly impossible now. I’d like to see a goal. A positive something to go back to as they start the season

Carducci should’ve done better on the first two goals for sure. That’s tough to see. Thought Kobza looked pretty rough at times out there too. I plan on rewatching it at some point as I’m curious if they’re doing anything different tactically than they did last year, but might be hard to see against a vastly superior opponent.

[Swift]

Well, I honestly expected a 4 or 5 goal loss, so I guess this wasn't terrible?

[browna]

Enjoy the weather and the trip to Disneyland, that's about all that's left. Second goal against tough to watch. Carduci looked terrible there.

[agulati]

It was still fun to go out and support the boys. Announced crowd was 2400ish for the game. They didn’t get destroyed despite not having a true home field advantage. Had some decent looks too.
Got some pictures with Tommy and some of the players too.

On to Orlando.

[Muta]

I thought the Cavs played better than I would have expected. They definitely held their own against a good MLS team. Had some really decent chances and showed some effort. Super stoked to go and cheer them on in Orlando next week. I feel they’re far and away the best CPL team right now.

[Ozy_Flame]

I still think it's surreal that the cavalry are playing a team like this. This opportunity doesn't come around very often, so it's just incredibly cool to see the cavs match up against the top tier North American team.

Tommy said that Torres was worth more than the entire cavs team lol ... I still don't think the chasm is so vastly different that a CPL team couldn't get a win against these guys.

[shermanator]

Game went about as expected. Thought Cavalry looked quite good to start the game, but with it being the first game of the year were sloppy in the final third. Orlando started to take it to Cavalry and once they scored their goal in the 27th min it was over. Thought things improved a bit once the subs were made but Orlando are simply far more talented.

Ship was absolutely packed last night. Recognized multiple sports personalities in the crowd as well. Good to see.

[Ozy_Flame]

Sloppy in the final third? By all accounts that was their best third. Even the one soccer analyst team said the same thing. They had the best possession for themselves in that third. Kobza and Guitierrez both had closed chances to getting on the scoreboard as well.

[shermanator]

Apparently the draw for the Canadian Championship is happening tomorrow. Looks to be similar to last year; 6 matches regionalized East / West, with Montreal and Vancouver getting a bye to the quarterfinals.

https://canadasoccer.com/news/canada...onship-format/

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Sloppy in the final third? By all accounts that was their best third. Even the one soccer analyst team said the same thing. They had the best possession for themselves in that third. Kobza and Guitierrez both had closed chances to getting on the scoreboard as well.

Are you talking about the same final third? I have a feeling there's a disconnect here because they were brutal. But I think earlier you were saying that you didn't think it was as big of a chasm and that a CPL team could beat them, so we could just entirely disagree.

I didn't think that Cavs played bad, but they were just plain outclassed. Orlando is just much better. We could kind of hang with them for that first 15-20 minutes and then it was downhill from there. That really isn't to take anything away from the job that the Cavs did or how they played though. You're playing a far better team, away from home (not at their home either, but still) and you haven't played a competitive match in months. It's a tough one and I thought that Cavalry showed pretty well considering all that.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Originally Posted by shermanator

Apparently the draw for the Canadian Championship is happening tomorrow. Looks to be similar to last year; 6 matches regionalized East / West, with Montreal and Vancouver getting a bye to the quarterfinals.

https://canadasoccer.com/news/canada...onship-format/

Did last year have two-legged ties in the quarters and semis? I really like that. Ensures the MLS teams have an away day and is great for growing the game

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Originally Posted by Slava

Are you talking about the same final third? I have a feeling there's a disconnect here because they were brutal. But I think earlier you were saying that you didn't think it was as big of a chasm and that a CPL team could beat them, so we could just entirely disagree.

I didn't think that Cavs played bad, but they were just plain outclassed. Orlando is just much better. We could kind of hang with them for that first 15-20 minutes and then it was downhill from there. That really isn't to take anything away from the job that the Cavs did or how they played though. You're playing a far better team, away from home (not at their home either, but still) and you haven't played a competitive match in months. It's a tough one and I thought that Cavalry showed pretty well considering all that.

I was probably the most optimistic about the Cavs chances of anyone and that’s despite knowing how good Orlando can be. Cavs were decent, they really were. Orlando was excellent though and clinical. Some sloppy moments from Cavalry I transition areas really killed them and Orlando punished them. Our right side was a mess with the inverted fullback and Kobza was forced to cover way too much space against excellent attackers. I think playing a more traditional back 4 could’ve helped take away space there

The other thing that surprised me was how Cavalry didn’t try and use the small pitch at Starlight to slow the game down and keep everything in front of them. To me they played too fast and got caught up in a transition game and that’s always going to favour the more talented team

I also hope they try and win more free kicks and am surprised with how good they were at them last year that it didn’t seem like that was too big an emphasis in their play. Kobza came real close at the end on a header, could be a way to manufacture a goal out of nothing. But again, Orlando was so smart and also not fouling. Perhaps a guy like Henry could help, a tricky dribbler who can bait defenders.

Honestly I think Orlando would be an awesome club for Cavalry to kind of model themselves after. They like to play with the ball, but can also play fast and aggressive when needed and while they don’t press a tonne, they showed last night that they can press real effectively with all sorts of traps when they want to. Good learning for both players and coaches

I’m obviously just a guy sitting at home and not a coach but I really enjoy talking about tactics and trying to understand what is happening. I’m definitely not an expert but if anyone else thinks along the same ways I would love to get some more tactical discussion going over the course of the season. It’s part of how I enjoy the game

[Bill Bumface]

I forgot about the most important part of this match ... is this the first game since they moved the damn hydro polls so the camera is at a proper height in Starlight?

[Ozy_Flame]

I think you're right! The camera angles were way way better for this game!

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

I forgot about the most important part of this match ... is this the first game since they moved the damn hydro polls so the camera is at a proper height in Starlight?

No, they had this camera angle for most of last year. Much easier to watch.

[shermanator]

The "draw" for the Canadian Championship was held today. Cavalry get Vancouver FC in the first round at Spruce Meadows, with the winner playing Whitecaps in a home / away.

[Jimmy Stang]

^ Pleased to have a home cup game, and if victorious, another one guaranteed to be at Spruce Meadows.

I understand why they can't guarantee every club a match at home in this competition (travel costs, amateur club facilities, etc.), but I like that subsequent rounds are home and home series (except the final).