It matters not what they’re playing for or when it takes place.
The term ‘entertaining’ — if not epic — somehow always creeps into every confrontation between Canadian Premier League arch-rivals Cavalry FC and Forge FC …
Just as it did Sunday — again — at ATCO Field to forge another marquee match to help market the country’s domestic footie circuit.
“Entertaining? It was a crazy game, to be honest,” said Cavalry GM/head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr., moments after the 1-1 harried happenings that took place at Spruce Meadows.
“Both teams went toe-to-toe.”
In 30-plus C heat, to boot.
It was ugly stifling out on the pitch — in stark contrast to the many playoff meetings enveloped in snow and frigid temperatures,
“Like I’m sweating,” agreed Wheeldon. “I’m not sure how the boys survived through that. That was very, very hot for them.”
But never mind the dog-gone hot days of summer …
Or just the dog days of summer schedule-wise.
Sure, it shows on the calendar as a mid-season run-of-the-mill contest — another … ugh … draw for Cavalry — and amid the muck that is the CPL table with sixth-place Cavalry (3W-9D-3L) and third-place Forge (6-4-4) separated by just four points in a campaign that’s been a parity party.
But that’s not how it played out.
It never does with these two teams.
Forge and Cavalry showed once again why it’s forever can’t-miss when they match up the field.
“And both teams not at their fullest strength,” said Wheeldon, upping the ante even more in talking about injuries that have decimated the talent of both squads.
“On our side, we’re missing those attacking pieces,” continued Wheeldon, who’s without attackers Ali Musse, William Akio (ankle) and Lleyton Brooks (undisclosed). “Once we get our players back and ready, we’ll be back to winning ways.
“And let’s not discount that they’re a phenomenal side,” continued Wheeldon of Forge, who was without four key players itself. “They didn’t like losing here (1-0 on June 8), and they’ve come here and competed no matter who they’ve put out there. They’re a tough side to beat — they’re knocking out an MLS side (in Toronto FC 2-1 in the first leg of the Canadian Championship semifinal), so we’ve got to give respect to our opponent, as well.
“They made it very, very tough for us.”
But very entertaining.
The goals came just seconds apart — Daan Klomp getting his head on a perfect looping pass from Sergio Camargo and zipping it home for a 1-0 Cavalry advantage in the 57th minute, and Forge with the equalizer when captain Kyle Bekker’s heat-seeking corner kick went in off the top of home defender Tom Field’s head in the 58th minute.
“Tom said he tripped — caught his feet,” Wheeldon said. “And as he’s coming back up, Kyle puts in a great ball, doesn’t he? He’s done that to us before. He’s got a terrific right foot.
“You know anytime you’re facing a set-play, you’re in danger anyway. But it’s so unlucky. That’s why I feel for the lads. To miss a penalty and have an own-goal go in, we’ve got to survive through this now.”
“I got one, finally,” said Klomp, of his first goal of the year following so many oh-so-close misses. “But it’s unfortunate that it was only the game-winner for 30 seconds and then we concede again. That’d be something we have to work on.
“But I think if you look at it overall, we were unfortunate not to come away with the win. Especially definitely near the end, when we missed the penalty kick and we got a couple of chances to score. But I think if you look at the first half, we are also very lucky that it was still a nil-nil game at halftime.”
Indeed, the chances taken — but missed — factored huge into the ‘oh-my’ matinee for the bitter rivals.
As Forge gaffer Bobby Smyrniotis pointed out, his side “peppered the goal for four or five shots” — good ones — in the first 36 minutes.
But Cavalry captain and goalkeeper Marco Carducci made some 10-bell saves.
Then came counterpart Chris Kalongo’s time to shine, when he stuffed Cavalry’s Toby Warschewski — the team’s top goal-getter — on that penalty kick early in the second half — and stood tall for the rest of the game with more massive saves.
In the meantime, both teams hit the woodwork — two posts for Forge, and a crossbar for Cavs midfielder Mäel Henry.
And stars on both sides just swung shots wide or over the nets.
“Good competitive match,” Smyrniotis said. “All around, it was good football — it was entertaining for those in the crowd.
“We’re two teams that don’t like losing,” continued Smyrniotis. “We’re two teams that strive for a lot. And we’re two teams in the league that have the most continuity — from the coaches to the players. There are still players on both these teams that have been around since Year 1. And I think that always makes it interesting — not just in the matches we play, but generally in the style and the continuity of the two clubs over the years.”
Making for entertaining matches every time.
“I think all the fans and especially us players are always up for this game,” Klomp said. “We know it’s a good fixture, and it seems to be always entertaining.”
“They’re always ready to play us, and we’re always ready to play them, so it makes for a good contest,” added Forge midfielder Noah Jensen. “These games always mean a little bit more, especially as it gets towards the end of the season. Cavalry is always a team that we’ll probably expect to see down the line somewhere, especially in the playoffs.”
Stay tuned for that.
Because you know it’s coming.
FREE KICKS
Cavalry was also without key defenders Eryk Kobza (undisclosed) and Bradley Kamdem Fewo (leg), both of whom continue to be out … The Cavs’ Starting XI was: goalie Carducci; defenders Field, Klomp, Fraser Aird and Callum Montgomery; midfielders Jesse Daley, Shamit Shome and Charlie Trafford; and forwards Warschewski, Malcolm Shaw and newcomer Nicolas Wähling … The club’s subs were: goalie Joseph Holliday; defender Michael Harms; midfielders Henry, Camargo, Diego Gutiérrez and Niko Myroniuk; and forward Chanan Chanda. Other Cavalry scratches were: goalie Mitchell Barrett; defender Caden Rogozinski; and midfielder Max Piepgrass.