2023 Cavalry FC and CPL Thread

[Jimmy Stang]

Unfortunate but necessary. As much as we all like to dump on Edmonton (the FC, the Oilers, the city, etc.) it really is important for the league and for Cavalry to have a healthy team in Edmonton. And for that to happen, this one had to be allowed to die.

[Slava]

It’s really perfect. They never beat us, and sporting-wise were a terrible rival that we eventually vanquished. At the same time, another no-good team will eventually take their place. Hopefully with some advance warning so we can enjoy some brainstorming of team names and other hilarity at that fledgling terrible team!

[Muta]

I'm not happy about this, but it's necessary right now. Clark Stadium is a dump, along with a swath of other issues with that club. Hopefully the CPL can jump back in with a healthier situation soon; a rebrand and refresh of that market is needed. A healthy Edmonton club is better for Cavalry and our rivalry, and the league as a whole. Edmonton is a great soccer city and does support the game, just look at the Canada games last year at Commonwealth for Costa Rica and Mexico.

[shermanator]

Short term this sucks, but long term this is the best thing that could happen for professional soccer in Edmonton. No more owner half assing every aspect of the club and then cutting everything when people don't magically show up.

Any new club in Edmonton is going to need a very committed owner to get it off the ground though. Fath salted the Earth a bit in that regard.

[browna]

So is there a dispersal draft? Forge gets the first 5 picks, then everyone else can have the scraps?

Good for the CPL to stop the bleeding, and they are basically begging either the Oilers or Esks owners to step in. Not sure about handling the stadium issue though, Commenwealth is too big.

[TheIronMaiden]

When do we start the clock on York? When another team enters the league?

[Ozy_Flame]

What? York? They're getting a brand new stadium. They're not folding.

[shermanator]

York looks pretty bad on paper, but I'd argue Valour is the more concerning club. Their ownership group treats that club in a way that reminds me of FC Edmonton's NASL days.

Their former manager is quite vocal about ownership wanting to do things on a shoestring budget. Their President has publicly spoken about being unhappy about the attendance the club draws, despite the aforementioned lack of effort from ownership to draw people in. The stadium is completely unsuitable for CPL, albeit for different reasons than Clarke. Poor results, a supporters group that has shrunk by 75% in 3 years, etc.

Not nearly as bad of course but there are warning signs.

[Muta]

Related York United news; they're getting a new home at Woodbine Racetrack:

Toronto will get a brand-new soccer stadium and training centre for 2026 FIFA World Cup

https://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2...ifa-world-cup/

The complex is set to feature an 8,000-seat soccer-specific stadium with a natural grass pitch that meets FIFA professional standards, along with a 38,000-square-foot training facility, together forming a new hub for women's and men's soccer in the city.

Though it could serve as a key training venue during the 2026 World Cup, its primary tenant will be York United FC of the Canadian Premier League, which currently plays its home games at York University's York Lions Stadium.

[TheIronMaiden]

Well that is good news.

Bring back trumpet guy!

[Ozy_Flame]

They're building it not too far from where I live (and Woodbine will be a good access point from the 427 and 401). I'm going to attend games for sure. If you happen to see a Cavs fan in a wizard hat at York games, that may or may not be me

[shermanator]

Camargo was at the Ship and Anchor for today's watch party, so I'd wager he'll be back next year.

What was kind of cool was that the Trafford's were wearing their game worn national team jerseys from when they played.

[shermanator]

Tommy dropped on the Barn Burner podcast that Adekugbe is going to York.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by shermanator

Tommy dropped on the Barn Burner podcast that Adekugbe is going to York.

Why? Was he unhappy how little Tommy played him? I mean he had Di Chiara!

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Why? Was he unhappy how little Tommy played him? I mean he had Di Chiara!

It probably came down to money.

[Swift]

Fisk did a little phone interview with Global yesterday regarding the Canada match, and the onscreen graphic described him as a "Calgary FC player"

[shermanator]

Adekugbe to York is official. 2 year deal. Better opportunity for playing time than he would have had at Cavalry, Tommy never really seemed to trust him at this level.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1598370808589873152

[shermanator]

It sounds like there may be a professional women's league announced this week.

I know there was a group in Calgary that had been trying to get an NWSL team prior to the pandemic, and Calgary Foothills had discussed wanting to get a Canada wide amateur league off the ground. So I would have to assume there is going to be a club in Calgary.

Cavalry WFC maybe?

https://twitter.com/user/status/1599555830197587968

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by shermanator

It sounds like there may be a professional women's league announced this week.

I know there was a group in Calgary that had been trying to get an NWSL team prior to the pandemic, and Calgary Foothills had discussed wanting to get a Canada wide amateur league off the ground. So I would have to assume there is going to be a club in Calgary.

Cavalry WFC maybe?

https://twitter.com/user/status/1599555830197587968

It makes sense from the perspective of using the facility. Assuming they play at atco field.

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

It makes sense from the perspective of using the facility. Assuming they play at atco field.

Absolutely. Start up costs would be next to nil as all the infrastructure and staffing has been built out.