Final Score: FC Edmonton 0-3 Cavalry FC
Goalscorers: Mason 29′, Musse 32′, Loughrey 88′ (OG)
Game of the 2022 season: 18
CPL match: 269

Match in a minute or less

Cavalry FC took on FC Edmonton at Clarke Stadium in the CPL’s ComeOn! Game of the Week for matchday #5, marking the first Al Classico of 2022. And there, despite being in enemy territory, Cavalry would end up coming out on top in dominant fashion, picking up a big 3-0 win over their rivals, remaining undefeated against them in CPL action.

They got the fun started early and often in the game, too, with Joe Mason opening the scoring in the 28th minute, before Ali Musse doubled their tally with a great free kick in the 32nd minute, giving them a commanding lead shortly before half time. 

From there, that allowed them to cruise to victory, only adding to their score along the way via a late Cale Loughrey own goal, giving them their biggest margin of victory on the season, while also continuing their slow climb out from the bottom of the CPL table.

Three Observations

New-look Cavalry formation gives extra midfield control:

In a bit of a surprising tactical wrinkle, Cavalry elected to try a bit of a different formation than what they usually put out in this game, shifting from their favoured 3-4-3 to a 4-1-4-1 ahead of kick-off.

Given how much of a staple their back three has been for them over the years, it was a big surprise, especially considering that they had a relatively healthy squad, meaning that it wasn’t a forced change of any sorts.

With Edmonton expected to defend deep, however, it was a choice done with that in mind, more than anything, as Cavalry seemed to recognize that they were going to have a lot of the ball, and wanted to be set up to reflect that. 

As a result, they decided to go for an extra body in midfield, giving them a bit more against a solid Edmonton midfield group, one who has made a habit of being tough to play against, especially at home. 

“We worked on a few things knowing that it’d be a 5-4-1 block,” Cavalry’s head coach, Tommy Wheeldon Jr., said of the change. “We knew that movements and playing off the shoulder were going to be important (as a result).”

That move would pay off for them big-time, as well. 

Through that new three-man grouping, consisting of Victor Loturi, Ali Musse and Elliot Simmons, Cavalry really controlled the middle in this game, stringing around passes and keeping Edmonton at bay, really allowing them to dictate proceedings. 

Starting with Simmons, who was tasked with acting as the team’s defensive midfielder, sitting a bit deeper in possession but with the goal of playing as more of a deep-lying playmaker, to Loturi and Musse in front of him, who were deployed as box-to-box #8s, it really gave Cavalry the tools they needed to break down their opponents. 

Thanks to that, Cavalry did something that no other team had been able to do against Edmonton at Clarke Stadium – score more than one goal, and not only that, they did so in style, too. Instead of trying to force things, they preached patience whenever they were on the ball, before springing to life every time one of Musse, Simmons or Loturi would receive a pass. 

Even despite being in that new-look formation, which could’ve easily had them looking disorganized or out of sorts, they looked anything but that, making the move pay off.

Yet, that’s just what Cavalry tends to do. Part of the reason why they’ve consistently been one of the harder teams to beat in the CPL is partly due to their versatility, as no matter what formation they employ, or who they put out, their identity and soccer philosophies remain clear.

That’d shine through big in a game like this, one where they continued to show that they’re a lot more than their slow start might’ve indicated, reminding teams that they intend to finish in the top four for a fourth consecutive season. 

“We had quality on the ball, we were as organized as possible,” Musse said of his team’s midfield. “They organized me defensively, and attacked pockets, so we did very well today, and thankfully we got the result.”

Tobias Warschewski continues to be bright light for Edmonton:

Although it ended up overall being a rough night at the office for Edmonton, that didn’t mean that there weren’t any bright lights for the hosts, and none shone brighter than Tobias Warschewski.

Yet, that’s been a typical sight for those who have watched Edmonton play this year. 

Warschewski might not always get as many touches as he’d probably like in games, as his team is currently focusing more on the defensive side of things after what they describe as a haphazard preseason, yet he still makes the most of every touch that he gets in games, no matter where they come. 

Deployed up front, that tends to only be in name, as while he’ll try to get on the end of chances like a striker (something that Valour FC is well aware of), he offers so much more than that to this team, especially on the creative side of things. 

There, he has really grown into a machine for Edmonton. Having led the CPL in assists last year with seven, he has continued to be a creative force for this team, even if he is yet to explicitly create an assist this campaign. 

And in this game, even though the result wasn’t as they liked, this was another great example of that. 

Despite finishing with just 58 touches, he managed to create three key passes, added one shot, and completed eight out of eight dribbles, showing his ability to make things happen whenever he was on the ball.

As a result, it feels like when Edmonton really starts to find their feet, Warschewski is going to be right in the middle of that. Be it by scoring more goals like the bicycle kick from opening day, to the chances that he’s created, he continues to be a bright light for his team, and will look to carry that mantle into the bigger games that lie ahead. 

At the same time, while there was a lot to like with Warschewski’s play, his coach notes that he feels that there is even more yet to come from Warshewski and his teammates, allowing them to burst out of this slump in commanding fashion. 

“Tobias is always a good player,” Edmonton’s head coach, Alan Koch, said. “And we have several good players, but they all have to play for 90 plus minutes to give us a chance to win.”

Yellow card trouble continues to dog Cavalry:

While Cavalry certainly found goals and chances in numbers in this game, that wasn’t the only thing that they put up on the score sheet, as they once again found themselves in yellow card trouble in this game. 

In fact, despite controlling much of the game and leaving as deserved winners, they finished with a whopping five yellow cards, compared to just one for Edmonton, which is less than ideal in a game like this.

Yet, that’s just been something that Cavalry has continued to struggle with this season. Because of that, it has really started to become a worry for them going forward, especially as they reach the crux of this campaign.

Of course, that’s just a byproduct of their style of play, as they really like to play aggressively, leading to a lot of fouls and cards, but unfortunately, that aggression might come at a cost, as yellow card accumulation suspensions could be on the horizon. 

There, Cavalry could really stand to hurt themselves long-term, as while it might feel too early to start talking about such a thing, it’s worth noting that three Cavalry players are already just two yellow cards away from suspension after this game. 

So going forward, it’s going to be important that they find a way to tone down on that, before it really starts costing them in big games. 

For as strong as Cavalry’s depth is, it’s no doubt that they’re best served in having all of their best players on the pitch in the biggest moments, something that is going to be harder and harder to do if they don’t reign in that aggression.

“We can only control what the referees call,” Wheeldon Jr. said of his team’s disciplinary struggles. “They’re dishing out cards right now, so we’re going to accept it, and we’re going to try and change that.”

CanPL.ca Player of the Match

Ali Musse, Cavalry FC 

Right from the first whistle, Musse looked up for the game, and his performance would certainly reflect that. From his goal, which was one for the highlight reels, to his commitment to helping his team on both sides of the ball, he was seemingly everywhere on the night, making him a deserved player of the match. In fact, that he finished with five shots, two key passes, one big chance, four dribbles, one tackle and nine duels won only further reflects that, continuing a good run of form for him.

What’s next?

These two sides will meet again in just a few days’ time, as a rematch awaits them in the preliminary round of the Canadian Championship on Tuesday, May 10th, this time down at Calgary’s ATCO Field (19:30 p.m. MT). Afterwards, in league play, Cavalry will head to Halifax next weekend for a clash against the HFX Wanderers at Wanderers Ground on Saturday, May 15th (12:00 p.m. MT/3:00 p.m. AT), while Edmonton will head to Vancouver Island, where they’ll take on Pacific FC at Starlight Stadium on later that day (4:00 p.m. PT/5:00 p.m. MT). 

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