Cavalry to salute city's minor soccer programs during key CPL match
Top-of-table Atlético Ottawa in town with CMSA squarely in grateful praises of Calgary's professional men's footie side
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Expect the buzz to be brilliant Friday night at ATCO Field.
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Cavalry to salute city's minor soccer programs during key CPL match Back to video
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With Cavalry FC hosting Minor Soccer Appreciation Night, the always-spirited crowd will get an extra boost from the thousands of young ballers on hand for the home match.
And the hosts might need it with the likes of Atlético Ottawa — the Canadian Premier League’s top team — riding high in the saddle into Spruce Meadows.
“There’s going to be a good atmosphere here, and the weather’s going to be good,” said decorated gaffer Tommy Wheeldon Jr., ahead of the CPL tilt (7 p.m., OneSoccer, OneSoccer.ca) involving his undermanned Cavalry (2W-7D-1L) and Atlético (6-3-1).
“It’s nice to be able to play in front of our fans,” continued the GM/head coach. “We love it here, especially with the atmosphere that’s brought. And we’re going to need them now to be our extra man, because as the squad’s getting thinner, our fans become that extra body and we need them for these games.
“Especially against first place.”
A win would certainly be welcomed against the CPL’s top-of-the-table club and to cap off what is billed as a showcase night for the home side, as it pays tribute to the CMSA.
Several of the city’s young footie teams have been invited to attend by Cavalry.
And the night includes fundraising efforts for CMSA, with a cheque presentation, proceeds from a 50/50 draw and a unique ball toss — that is having fans try to throw small balls into full-size SUV Volkswagens that will be driving around the pitch — as part of the evening’s action.
“Calgary Minor Soccer, especially for the young players, is where it all began,” Wheeldon said. “And I’d add myself and (assistant coach) Jay Wheeldon as coaches that have come through it. It was my first start in coaching in Canada.”
Indeed, the CMSA facilitated the start and growth of a career for many of past and current Cavalry stars, including Marco Carducci, Charlie Trafford, Bradley Kamdem Fewo, Aribim Pepple, Victor Loturi, Tofa Fakunle, Elijah Adekugbe, Niko Myroniuk, Max Piepgrass and Caden Rogozinski.
And further afield — rungs up the ladder of the soccer world, in fact — are former Calgarians Dominick Zator and Joel Waterman, who can thank CMSA, Calgary Foothills FC and Cavalry for their international adventures.
CF Montréal defender Waterman, 28, got the call to arms to join Canada’s senior national squad for the 2024 Copa América tournament, which began Thursday night for our nation against giant Argentina.
And the 29-year-old Zator, now playing for Poland’s Korona Kielce, was on Canada’s roster in the lead-up to the top-shelf event in South America.
“When we launched in May of 2018, I addressed the people in the room and said, ‘We’ll know how successful we’ve been if there’s players that have come through this city and this football club and represented Canada,’” said head coach Wheeldon. “I think we’re all a part of the ecosystem that is the bigger the base, the higher the pyramid. So if we’re doing our work now — picking up a shovel and building programs and under-21 teams and League1 Albertas and Calgary minor soccer and all this — then we’re helping create opportunities for Canadians to play for the national team.
“So to see Joel and Dominick in there, that’s pleasing for us. We’ve got to keep doing it and keep producing players.”
And keep up the success themselves — hopefully aided by a win Friday night over top-flight Ottleti — in helping to put soccer at the forefront of activity in the city.
“I think just it’s wonderful for these kids whether they come in and be players or ball carriers or ball retrievers here or come into camps or to come watch games,” added Wheeldon. “It’s a league of inspiration and opportunity, and our ownership — with the Southern family and Spruce Meadows — invested in this league and in this sport to give Canadians an opportunity.
“So for the young players and coaches of Calgary minor soccer, we hope they have a terrific day (Friday). And we hope to put our best foot forward and inspire them to continue with their journey.”
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Wheeldon confirmed Thursday that Cavalry superstar Ali Musse (ankle) is likely out until August and that fellow forward Willy Akio (leg) is awaiting results of an MRI “but doesn’t look good.” The gaffer also says attacking midfielder Sergio Camargo (leg) is 50/50 to be ready for Friday night. “It’s mounting up — not going to lie,” Wheeldon said. “It’s a tough part of the season where we’re having to rely on next man up, especially in our attack.” … On the bright side, midfielder Maël Henry (hamstring) is back in training … Other Cavalry players sidelined are goalie Mitchell Barrett (thumb), defender Fewo (leg) and midfielder Trafford (ill).
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