Whitecaps eliminate Cavalry FC from Canadian Championship

Teams play to 1-1 draw in second leg of cup quarter-final at Spruce Meadows

It’s a difficult task to knock off the four-time defending champions. Down 4-1 on aggregate, Cavalry FC threw everything at the Vancouver Whitecaps and earned a 1-1 draw in the second leg Monday night at Spruce Meadows’ ATCO Field to bow out of the Canadian Championship in the quarter-final round. “It’s mixed emotions,” said Cavalry FC head coach and GM Tommy Wheeldon Jr.

“If I look singularly at this game, it’s one of the best performances I think I’ve seen at Spruce Meadows in my seven-and-a-half seasons here. “I thought we matched them with courage, we created so many big chances that on another day it’s become a miracle. We knew we had to play like that, they’re an outstanding football club and we had to try and live with them when they put on pressure, but also force them back the other way.”

Wingers Ali Musse, Goteh Ntignee and centre back Daan Klomp were at the centre of the attack with the hosts on the front-foot the needing at least three goals to have a shot at advancing. The Cavs had 16 shot attempts and 1.16 expected goals and finally were rewarded for their efforts in the 75th minute when Musse connected for a sublime header on a cross from substitute Harry Paton to open the scoring. A familiar face then brought the Caps back even.

Mihail Gherasimencov, who starred on loan with the Cavs last season, showcased his powerful left foot with a low far post strike past goalkeeper Nathan Ingham in the 86th minute to put any late comeback opportunities to bed. “I’m happy to score my first goal against Cavalry,” said the Calgarian wing back. “But at the same time, not really, because I have a lot of respect for Cavalry, that’s my hometown and home team.”

The Whitecaps, who held the first leg last week at Swangard Stadium with its home turf BC Place used as a World Cup host site, will take on CF Montreal in the semifinal. “I’m happy we’re moved on against a very good team,” said Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sørensen. “We’ve seen over the two legs that Cavalry is a very good team and they play, they play well structured

and we knew beforehand it was going to be a special game for them at home against us and we were up for it. “They really tested us and it was a tough battle.”

Over 6,000 supporters took in the July 13 contest a Canadian Championship record crowd at ATCO Field. German footballing legend and World Cup champion Thomas Müller, who was in the starting lineup for the Caps, added significant hype to the clash. “A lot of what he does goes unnoticed, he’s one of those players that makes everyone around them better,” said Klomp.

“It’s an honour to play against him.” The Cavs return to Canadian Premier League action on July 18 in a home date versus the Halifax Wanderers. Click here for ticket information.