From an equestrian ring to a continental champion: the rise of Cavalry FC
In short: What began as a professional football announcement at an equestrian venue has transformed into a continental force. In just a few years, this Calgary-based club has moved from a new league entrant to defeating international giants and securing a place on the North American stage.
The origins of Cavalry FC trace back to May 2018, when the Canadian Soccer Association accepted Calgary as one of four cities for professional membership. Shortly after, on May 17, 2018, the club was officially unveiled by Spruce Meadows Sports & Entertainment executives, including CEO Linda Southern-Heathcott and COO Ian Allison. The club's identity was deeply rooted in local heritage, featuring a crest designed by Jon Rogers that pays homage to the Lord Strathcona's Horse armoured regiment through a chevron motif.
The club's early years were marked by rapid competitive milestones. In 2019, the team won the inaugural CPL Spring season and achieved a historic upset by defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the Canadian Championship. This period also saw goalkeeper Marco Carducci become the first CPL player to earn a call-up to the Canada men's national team. However, the club's path has not been without intense rivalry, most notably the 'Al Classico' against FC Edmonton and a heated competitive tension with Forge FC that began during the 2019 spring season.
The club's recent trajectory has reached new heights. On November 9, 2024, Cavalry FC secured its first Canadian Premier League championship by defeating the four-time winners, Forge FC, with a 2–1 victory at ATCO Field. This triumph earned them a berth in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup. The momentum continued into February 2025, when the club became the first CPL team to win a match in that competition, defeating Mexico's Pumas 2–1 in the first round.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Cavalry FC
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