Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast caught a great glimpse of one of the country’s best sports rivalries Saturday. Read More
Action-packed first game of schedule for Calgary club a big boost for Canada’s domestic soccer circuit
Action-packed first game of schedule for Calgary club a big boost for Canada’s domestic soccer circuit
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Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast caught a great glimpse of one of the country’s best sports rivalries Saturday.
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The first-ever national broadcast on TSN of Cavalry FC versus Forge FC featured the usual action-packed performance put forward by the two successful clubs — this one to help kick off the 2025 Canadian Premier League campaign.
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A big boost for the domestic circuit, for sure.
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“Yeah … it’s massive,” agreed Cavalry veteran Fraser Aird of the TSN airing. “It’s two teams that have been in finals. It’s a big rivalry in the league. I think everyone wants to see us play against Forge. So great representation. It’s a win for Canada soccer to get a game on TSN, and there’s still a few more (on TSN) in this month.
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“We’re playing on a national stage now, and there’s more eyes that get to see us, and that’s the football that you want to watch — attacking football and chances at the end. The last 25 minutes was exciting to watch … we played some really good football.”
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The only thing missing for Aird & Co. was the result.
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The win wasn’t there, even if they were deserving.
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But even more disappointing was the Cavs couldn’t even pull out a draw from Hamilton.
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Despite more chances to score — and certainly more dangerous threats — than host Forge, the charges from Calgary dropped their first leg of their 28-game CPL schedule 1-0 to their arch-rivals.
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A driving Mo Babouli header to beat superstar goalkeeper Marco Carducci from the penalty spot in the 58th minute was the difference.
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And Forge goalie Jassem Koleilat and his post then made it stick.
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“You’re always disappointed when you lose football matches,” Aird said. “It’s never nice. Players don’t enjoy it.
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“But the way we came out after conceding the goal was positive enough. We came out and created chances and hit the post. Their ’keeper had some unbelievable saves, and sometimes football goes like that.
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“I know we’re delighted with the boys that came on off the bench was massive attack in the game and created even more chances for us to give us another spark. I mean … it’s disappointing, but you can only take positive stuff from it, and there’s 27 more games to go.”
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If they’re all as good as this one, then Canadians tuning into TSN to get a taste of the CPL should enjoy it.
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Cavalry’s next one is on the national network, as well. That’s the home opener at Spruce Meadows’ ATCO Field versus incoming Vancouver FC on Good Friday, April 18 (5 p.m.), with Aird and his teammates hoping to forge a better result.