Cavalry FC revisited the site of their championship game loss Wednesday night, and the result was the same minus the blizzard, as Calgary dropped a 3-2 decision to Atletico FC in Ottawa. After Tobias Warschewski scored four minutes into stoppage time to knot the score at two apiece, Gabriel Antinoro scored 10 minutes into stoppage time to give Atletico Ottawa the win. It clinched a playoff spot for the defending CPL champs. “To pick up a win like this one against the first-place team in the league this close to the playoffs, and especially having clinched it now,” said Atlético Ottawa forward Nicholas Fleuriau Chateau. “Not only does it prove to ourselves that we can compete, but it proves to everyone else that we can compete as well.” Cavalry FC got on the board first, getting a goal in the ninth minute from Eryk Kobza, who headed a cross from Ali Musse past Atletico FC goalkeeper Chris Kalongo to give Cavalry FC the early 1-0 lead. However, in the second half, Ottawa got a pair from Kamron Habibullah. one in the 59th minute and then again the 73rd minute on a free kick, to send the club to a 2-1 advantage. That held until stoppage time, when Warschewski tied it up, but Cavalry FC weren’t able to seal the deal Wednesday night. After the game, Cavalry FC head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. said his club was outplayed. “We were beaten by the better side,” Wheeldon said. “It’s as simple as that, so irrespective of the cards and the calls the referees had to make, I think for the majority (of the game) Ottawa won more draws were the better side so – it’s not easy to win and it’s not easy to win away from home. “We’ve already beaten them three times this year and they had to have something to say – that’s a good one for the lads,” he added. “They’ll remember this.” “The reality is, we stopped doing things we’ve been doing,” Wheeldon said. “I can’t be too mad at the lads. We’ve gone on a hell of a long run so just take it on the chin, knot the cap, and move on.” If there was one silver lining, it’s that the loss came now, rather than in the playoffs. “Sometimes it’s good to get humbled now,” he said. “Every game matters.” Next up for Cavalary FC is a Saturday matinee against Inter Toronto at York Lions Stadium. Game time is 10 a.m. MST.
