The Cavalry's title dreams have been dashed in controversial fashion.
Pacific FC scored in the 15th minute of extra-time on what was credited as an own goal to Cavalry’s Marco Carducci after the ball looked to be out of play as the visitors snuck a 2-1 result in the Canadian Premier League semifinal clash on Nov. 20 at Spruce Meadows’ ATCO Field.
“It seems like every time there's a playoff situation, we're talking about these calls or officiating,” said Cavs FC head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. in the post-game presser. “Until the officiating improves in big moments, I'd rather focus on what we can control.
“That's the effort that we put in and the boys didn't stop and I'm proud of them for everything they've been through this year.”
In extra-time, Pacific’s Kunle Dada-Luke sent in a low pass that went through Carducci’s legs after the gregarious keeper had raised his hand to indicate the ball had gone out of bounds for a goal-kick.
Pacific FC head coach Pa-Modou Kah said the play was an example of why his players are taught to keep playing until a whistle is heard.
“You don't stop, you got to keep playing,” he said. “We have the referees and we say that we cannot control them, they're going to make their decision and the boys that we put in, they could have an impact on the game and they had an impact on the game."
Pacific took the lead with Terran Campbell striking in the first-half on a volley inside the box in the 33rd minute. The Cavalry answered the bell shortly into the second-half with centre-back Karifa Yao rising up for a powerful header into the back of the net off a corner.
“Heart and resilience, that’s what they showed,” Kah said. “And that’s what they’ve been showing the whole year and that’s why they deserved the victory.”
The semifinal battle marked the eighth match-up of the season between Pacific and Cavalry with the momentum swinging both ways in both league and cup play.
“The game of football is about the margins and today the margins were on our side,” Kah added. “But we’re happy to go to the final and also credit to Cavalry and the whole organization, it’s a top-class organization and a great rivalry.”
It’s another bitter playoff exit for the Cavalry who lost the inaugural league championship to Forge at home in 2019 along with its elimination in the playoff round from the 2020 Island Games tournament on Prince Edward Island.
“In these one-off games randomness plays more of a part than it does over a 28-game season,” said Cavs centre-back Mason Trafford. “We didn’t win today and that feels really, really bad for our team. We were ready this year for a championship and I think we felt like this was the year for it and it still feels like it.
“It hasn’t sunk in that we’re not going to be there.”
For Wheeldon Jr., the team’s ability to consistently be in the mix of the top contending teams will pay off in time.
“I just said to the boys in the locker room, I know they’re down, but I appreciated everything they’ve left for us, not just in that game, but through the season,” said Wheeldon Jr. “They’ve been asked to do a lot and they’re there for each other and that will hurt.
“But we’re always in the conversation and we’ll always be there and things will go our way eventually.”
The CPL championship game will see Pacific visit Forge FC in Hamilton on Dec. 5.
For more information go to cavalryfc.canpl.ca.
