2020 CPL regular season (The Island Games) — Match #30
Cavalry FC vs. Pacific FC
September 9, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. ET/9:00 p.m. AT
UPEI Artificial Turf Field in Charlottetown, PEI
Watch Live: OneSoccer.ca

Marco Bustos is the man of the hour at the moment in the Canadian Premier League.

The Pacific FC attacker has to be considered a top candidate for the 202o season MVP, as he currently sits second in the Golden Boot race with three goals, including a late game-winner against FC Edmonton on the weekend that clinched a second-round berth for the Tridents in the last match of the opening group stage.

Leading the league in shots with 15, Bustos scored and put in a man-of-the-match effort in Pacific’s 2-1 win over Cavalry FC earlier in the first round, so you can be sure that stopping the former Vancouver Whitecap is foremost on the mind of Cavs coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. when the two sides meet again on Wednesday.

Cavalry booked their spot in the second round via a 1-0 win over York9 FC on Saturday. It was an emotional game for the Cavs, who saw Brazilian forward Oliver Minatel sustain a fractured tibia and fibula after a tackle by Y9’s Roger Thompson. Minatel left the match after 12 minutes and has been ruled out for the rest of The Island Games, but Cavalry showed great resilience against York after seeing the Brazilian stretchered off the pitch.

RELATED READING: Pacific ready for vengeful Cavalry || Cavs adopting win-at-all-costs mentality in 2nd round

3 THINGS TO WATCH

• Bustos to his old spot?: Marco Bustos slid into a central role from his usual place on the right wing at the start of the match vs. Edmonton. Eventually, he was put back on the right side and ended up scoring a late game-winner off a setup from right fullback Kadin Chung. “I think Bustos felt more comfortable out there with Kadin on the side, and having Alejandro Díaz in the lead up front,” Pacific coach Pa-Modou Kah said. Will Bustos go back to the right side vs. Cavalry? Or will Kah try to slot him in the middle again?

• Haber comes through for Cavs: Marcus Haber hasn’t scored a ton in PEI, but both of his goals were game winners, including the one against York9 that sealed the Cavs’ spot in the second round. Beyond his goal-scoring exploits, Haber has been a workhorse, making seven appearances and playing whatever role has been asked of him, even if it means coming off the bench. “Marcus, he’s turned into a bit of a cult figure for us,” coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. stated.

• Chung an unsung hero: Kadin Chung has had an impressive Island Games campaign thus far, with his best showing coming in Pacific’s last game. Against Edmonton, the 22-year-old made three tackles, won six duels, and led his team with an 85.5 per cent pass success rate. Kah was full of praise for his fullback after the game: “Everybody that’s not gonna come with the argument why Kadin Chung is the best right-back in this tournament, they don’t know football.”

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

“To have to respond after a horrific injury even speaks to the power of the mentality of this group. Honestly, I know we’re called the Cavalry, but it is like a team of soldiers. They’re a band of brothers, they really are, and I couldn’t be prouder.” – Cavalry coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. after the Y9 game.

“First half we didn’t show up, honestly.It’s understandable because it’s been long and grueling games for the boys, but the response that they gave us in the second half was amazing. Every single one of them gave it their all.” – Pacific coach Pa-Modou Kah after the Edmonton game.

ALL-TIME SERIES

Cavalry wins: 4 || Draws: 1 || Pacific wins: 2

PREVIOUS MEETING

August 30, 2020: Cavalry FC 1, Pacific FC 2

Pa-Modou Kah’s Pacific side came out firing in this one, earning six shots in the first half as they climbed to an early 2-0 lead, and held on for the win after the Cavs’ mounted a second-half comeback.

REFEREES

Referee: David Barrie
ARs: Sean Hornsby & Travis Lefebvre
4th Official: Carly Shaw-MacLaren