2024 Cavalry FC and CPL thread

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by MegaErtz

If they can keep the aggregate scoreline to within five goals, I will be shocked.

Let's Goooooo!

[Bill Bumface]

I thought they played pretty well. Carducci had a hell of a first half, which was good to see after the first leg. They generated a few quality chances. Our team isn't exactly the biggest group of defensive stalwarts, so no surprise that OC got their chances.

[shermanator]

The FOMO is real today...

https://twitter.com/user/status/1762688130556264460

[MegaErtz]

They were terrible in both legs. There's simply no way that a CPL team will advance into the second round in this format. It was men against boys, even when Orlando starting subbing on a bunch of teenagers.

Marco Carducci is quite simply the worst professional footballer I have ever witnessed play the sport. There was one time yesterday when he played the ball straight to an Orlando attacker standing five yards away while being under absolutely zero pressure, with passing options to open fullbacks on both sides.

[Ozy_Flame]

I think you need to step back from the Cavs for a bit. You never seem to find any joy in the Cavs. Everything you post seems to be complaining and wallowing in misery.

Just enjoy the Cavs and the CPL for what it is - lower-level professional soccer that lets fans build a relationship with the game and cheer the big moments, like making it to the CONCACAF Champions League and getting to play top North American talent, while simultaneously thumping rival Canadian clubs for a league title.

[MillerTime GFG]

Originally Posted by MegaErtz

They were terrible in both legs. There's simply no way that a CPL team will advance into the second round in this format. It was men against boys, even when Orlando starting subbing on a bunch of teenagers.

Totally. Almost as if they were in different leagues! Like one team is allowed to pay their players more so they attract better players.


Let's rewind ~5 years to where the top level of soccer in Calgary/Alberta was the AMSL. A fully amateur league.


As someone that played in the AMSL and in University, I am INCREDIBLY jealous of where soccer has come in this city, and the pathway leagues like League One and the CPL are providing to kids. When I was in my late teens or early 20s, you were either good enough to go overseas, or you played university. Those were your choices. Soccer has come so far in this city, but sure, gripe about how we lost to a team in a higher league.

Could you imagine the Cavs against Man City? Pfft. Pathetic!


We all know you do this to get a rise out of people, but it's old. If you don't like what the CPL has to offer, go support a different team in a different league. Really not sure what you were expecting.

[TheIronMaiden]

Getting upset about the Cavs result would be like getting bummed that the Olds Grizzlies get thumped by the Red Deer Rebels.

[MillerTime GFG]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Getting upset about the Cavs result would be like getting bummed that the Olds Grizzlies get thumped by the Red Deer Rebels.

Or the Wranglers not being able to get a result against the Avs.

[Muta]

Being at the game, I thought for the most part, they played pretty well; we had some decent breakout chances and moved the ball well, all things considered. Torres' salary himself is worth more than the entire Cavs roster, so I'm not sure what some are expecting in terms of a result; the playing field is lightyears difference in terms of combined talent. Bevan got a goal, and I say that's pretty awesome. OCSC definitely gave the Cavs more respect this game, that's for sure - their bench was not taking the Cavs lightly. To be honest, I think the Cavs' play over two games surprised OCSC, and in a good way.

[Thunderball]

I think people need to remember that this version of the Cavs likely would have beat the 2019 Cavs by five goals over two games as well. The difference in talent between then and now is enormous.

The league needs time and investment. I have no doubt that if the league can get to 12 solid teams, they can double or triple salaries, add a designated player or two, start getting close to 10k per game in some markets (like this one)… and really compete with the low end of MLS. I do not think they will ever close the gap all the way unless the CPL abandons a salary cap and the Southerns feel like losing $10-20 million a year like the Saputos, but it’s going to keep getting better.

Right now, we’re like Maribor or Sheriff in the UCL… we’re target practice for top clubs. Difference is, there’s a lot of potential to close the gap.

I was in Victoria and was a little rattled by how Orlando manhandled them, but that was a top MLS team who treated them like an equal in game 1.

It’s gonna take time. Hopefully a new stadium too so we can watch these live in Calgary.

[shermanator]

Couldn't agree more. We have to remember that the pro game in this city failed for the first 144 years of it's existence. And it's a similar story everywhere in this country outside of Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. For this club to really get it's hooks into the sporting landscape it first and foremost has to have some longevity. It's going to take a generation for the game to really be engrained in this city.

Cavalry are in their 6th season of existence. That's 3 times longer than the Kickers and Storm and 6 times longer than the Boomers, Strikers and Mustangs. They are the model club in the league in my opinion and are set up for the long haul with an ownership group that has built a world class sporting experience out of thin air before. And the owners are going to build this in a sustainable way. I don't think anyone wants them to pull a Michael Vandale and bail on the club mid season.

Regardless of what some chode on a message board says to try and get a rise out of people Cavalry are far and away the best this city has ever seen.

[shermanator]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1763700770635948509

[agulati]

It was a fun couple of games cheering on the boys. Results aren’t as important as the experience for the team.

Walking around Orlando, so many people recognized the cavs hat, which emphasizes the fact that the team has made it.

Hanging out with some of the players in downtown Orlando post game was definitely icing on the cake though.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by shermanator

Regardless of what some chode on a message board says to try and get a rise out of people Cavalry are far and away the best this city has ever seen.

One thing to commend is that this team is a much, much higher quality team than the 2019 edition. Same with the league as a whole - it's also grown significantly in player/game quality and impact in the soccer world since that time. The CPL has come a long way. If its growth and reach continues, imagine where it will be in another 5-10 years.

MLS also started as a small, upstart organization in the 90s; look how far it's come since then. While we will never be the MLS (due to sheer economics and presence of the existing soccer market in NA), we should take pride in knowing that we're following that early trajectory of MLS in its infancy - and we've come a long way in five years to soccer relevancy and sustainability here in Calgary, as well as the development of the game across the country since.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Muta

One thing to commend is that this team is a much, much higher quality team than the 2019 edition. Same with the league as a whole - it's also grown significantly in player/game quality and impact in the soccer world since that time. The CPL has come a long way. If its growth and reach continues, imagine where it will be in another 5-10 years.

As long as the fans keep coming. Cavs look to be trending strongly, the league as a whole is still on shaky ground, for now.

[MillerTime GFG]

Originally Posted by shermanator

https://twitter.com/user/status/1763700770635948509

I’m insulted. Didn’t even mention Calgary United!

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

As long as the fans keep coming. Cavs look to be trending strongly, the league as a whole is still on shaky ground, for now.

Definitely - but these are the challenges we have to go through and endure to cross that horizon, as with any fledgling startup. As a nationwide league, this is the farthest we've ever come to date. Keep going.

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

As long as the fans keep coming. Cavs look to be trending strongly, the league as a whole is still on shaky ground, for now.

People forget that MLS nearly folded 6 years in and relied on two ownership groups and Beckham to drag them into relevance.

There are 5 clubs on pretty solid footing (Pacific, Cavalry, Forge, Ottawa, Halifax). I think Valour are shaky and I don't see them changing until there is a new ownership group. Vancouver weren't great year 1 but at least the squad looks to have been invested in if that's any indication. York got new owners this offseason so that's promising.

A lot better than any past attempt at a domestic league.

[browna]

Messi owes Cavalry a favour for softening the opponent, as he and Suarez score two each and win 5-0 (club record for margin of victory) over Orlando tonight.

[TheIronMaiden]

Single Match tickets go on sale next Friday. March 15th.