2021 Cavalry FC and CPL season thread

[Bill Bumface]

How much is baggage from NASL days, vs. the game day experience, vs. the city's lack of fanbase?

Did the NASL edition used to do ok for crowds before things got ugly?

I'm just puzzled. Edmonton has done ok with turnout for international soccer at points. It's going to be a really bad sign for the league and a revenue hole if a market like Edmonton can't work out.

[Muta]

I was there on Sunday, and I'll say this, everything about the stadium is half the experience that Spruce Meadows is. Being in an absolute #####e neighborhood doesn't help either. The only thing that trumps the Cavs home game experience are the concession prices (which are absolutely WAY cheaper, but also way more generic in its selection).

I feel bad for the team. I actually want to see Edmonton do well, so that our two teams can lead the league in game experience, quality and a renowned rivalry. In my opinion, they need to re-locate to a different venue, and rebrand. Start fresh.

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

How much is baggage from NASL days, vs. the game day experience, vs. the city's lack of fanbase?

Did the NASL edition used to do ok for crowds before things got ugly?

I'm just puzzled. Edmonton has done ok with turnout for international soccer at points. It's going to be a really bad sign for the league and a revenue hole if a market like Edmonton can't work out.

FC Edmonton has never drawn well. But the thought was that they would benefit from playing the likes of Calgary, Victoria, Winnipeg etc instead of Indianapolis or New York or San Francisco. Turns out, it may be too late.

I think the game day experience is the biggest issue. As others have echoed, it is really bad outside of the cheap food and drinks, and it's actually worse now than in 2019.

But it's becoming more than that. The minor soccer community hates FC Edmonton. There is a decade of poor results on the pitch with seemingly no end in sight that is turning off new and old fans. The front office has never cared about the supporters group, which means you lose the draw of a good atmosphere. And now it looks like the owner is scaling back costs to just the bare minimum.

I have heard rumblings that the owner has been trying to sell for a few years but doesn't have any buyers. And why would he? The team has nothing of value for a new owner; a few hundred season ticket holders and a brand associated with losing. IMO the league is only as good as it's weakest team, and Edmonton is actually bringing the rest of the group down. I don't want to see them fold, but part of me thinks they're in the way of ambitious ownership groups like we have in Calgary.

[Ozy_Flame]

Am wondering if FCE was to close/sell (and it probably should), a European team puts a satellite team in its place - much like Atletico Ottawa. I believe Juventus already has/had a presence in town for developmental reasons, and something like Atletico or Juventus could also bring proper experience, team management, and talent as a pipeline. Honestly I think that might be one of the few ways to salvage the soccer community with buy-in support here.

[cheevers]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Am wondering if FCE was to close/sell (and it probably should), a European team puts a satellite team in its place - much like Atletico Ottawa. I believe Juventus already has/had a presence in town for developmental reasons, and something like Atletico or Juventus could also bring proper experience, team management, and talent as a pipeline. Honestly I think that might be one of the few ways to salvage the soccer community with buy-in support here.

Tell Alphonso to open his wallet.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by cheevers

Tell Alphonso to open his wallet.

I have a feeling Alphonso would be an owner / part owner for a team in Edmonton if the opportunity presented itself. He loves this city and knows more than most how important a local team and program is to youth development.

That said, he's only what, 21? He probably wouldn't do this for a while yet.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

I have a feeling Alphonso would be an owner / part owner for a team in Edmonton if the opportunity presented itself. He loves this city and knows more than most how important a local team and program is to youth development.

That said, he's only what, 21? He probably wouldn't do this for a while yet.

I guess everyone has their flaws!

I do wonder how much a franchise like that would be going for though. There have to be plenty of people who could buy it, if it were remotely attractive.

[shermanator]

I don't see it going more than $1. New owner can take over the losses from that point.

[Howie_16]

Originally Posted by Johnny199r

Prediction: first expansion team in CPL will be a relocation of FC Edmonton.

You mean the next one, right? Atletico Ottawa was the first expansion team.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Howie_16

You mean the next one, right? Atletico Ottawa was the first expansion team.

Didn’t they announce that they’re going to Saskatoon next year also?

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Slava

September 14th...Tuesday night.

Don’t they already have a league game scheduled that night?

[Howie_16]

Originally Posted by Slava

Didn’t they announce that they’re going to Saskatoon next year also?

Yes they did. I see Saskatoon as the second CPL expansion team, but maybe they aren't an official CPL franchise yet.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

Don’t they already have a league game scheduled that night?

I just see that as the QF for the Canadian Championship and the opponent as TBD.

[Bill Bumface]

It says Sept 14-22 here:

https://cavalryfc.canpl.ca/article/2...-schedule-here

[Slava]

Yeah I must be wrong because they do have a game that night that I didn’t see on the schedule and on their site it’s not there. I was just going by the Google schedule or whatever and it says Sept 14.

Sorry if I screwed that up for anyone!

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Slava

Sorry if I screwed that up for anyone!

Not at all, there's a few of us that have tickets together that have travel around those days, so we're all anxiously watching like hawks for the confirmation. I preemptively stated I couldn't make a business trip that week for "personal reasons"

[shermanator]

Squad update from our guy at the Fan 960:

- Di Chiara, Selemani and Luca are all back in the squad.
- Minatel due back Sept 6.
- Musse and Field are due to return in September.

[shermanator]

Boskovic starting for Pacific tonight. That has to be promising...

No Bustos either...

[Party Elephant]

And no Wheeler in the commentary!

[shermanator]

Mason! You beauty! What a poacher he's turning out to be.