Cavalry FC completed an unforgettable upset over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday night at BC Place, taking the 2nd leg – and their Canadian Championship Qualifying Round 3 tie – by a 2-1 scoreline to become the first CPL team to beat an MLS side en route to a date with Montreal Impact in the tournament’s Semi-Final round.

Despite playing out to a 0-0 draw at Spruce Meadows in the first leg, it didn’t take long for the CPL’s Spring champions to silence the crowd in Vancouver when, in the eighth minute, a lofted pass from Nik Ledgerwood found Jordan Brown, who thumped home the first goal of the tie.

Vancouver could have easily responded moments later when a fluffed finish from Erik Godoy went over the net from just a few feet away from the back post. The Cavs would soon settle in, nullifying the Whitecaps and sitting back for the remainder of the first half and much of the second. Tommy Wheeldon’s side held their lead, content on the counter and keeping their MLS opposition.

Vancouver would score after an hour when a breakdown in the box found Hwang In-Beom whose deflected attempt flicked past Marco Carducci.

But, just like that, the Cavs answered back. Dominick Zator’s contested header in the 72nd minute sealed the historic result, sending the Calgary club towards another MLS side in Montreal Impact in the Semi Finals, with a first leg set for at Stade Saputo on Wednesday, August 7th.

Meantime, Cavalry will return to league action on Saturday in Winnipeg against Valour FC (1 p.m. ET/12 p.m. CT, available on OneSoccer/CBC).

Box Score

Goals
7′ – Jordan Brown (Cavalry FC)
67′ – Hwang In-Beom (Vancouver Whitecaps)
72′ – Dominick Zator (Cavalry FC)

Disciplinary
5′ Yellow – Nathan Mavila (Cavalry FC)
47′ Yellow – Jonathan Wheeldon (Cavalry FC)
51′ Yellow – Lucas Venuto (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)

Three Key Performers

Jordan Brown (Cavalry FC)

Take your chances. Brown’s early, clinical opener put Cavalry at ease, defining the game from then on. That was the Englishman’s only attempt at goal all match, with his pressure on Vancouver’s backline a decent bonus.

Nik Ledgerwood (Cavalry FC)

The Cavalry skipper led by example on Wednesday, starting with a beautiful pass to set up Brown for the opener. Ledgerwood was impressive as a screen for the back-four, too, recording five tackles and a team-high 55 touches.

Dominick Zator (Cavalry FC)

Zator’s headed smash put the match to rest at BC Place, but his defensive work allowed that goal to mean as much as it did. A former Whitecaps product, Zator and Cavalary’s defensive unit held his former club to just three shots on target, from 18 attempts total.