Valour FC never gives up.

The Winnipeggers captured a massive-must win tie in Calgary on Saturday, downing Cavalry FC 3-2 in chaotic fashion to move into the fourth and final playoff spot – although temporarily as York United jumped into the position later. William Akio’s scrappy-yet-brilliant brace at Spruce Meadows was at the heart of Valour’s tireless attempt to save their season less than a week after they were pegged for elimination.

Play began quite heated despite the chilly, sub-zero conditions in Calgary – starting with a whirlwind couple of opening minutes. Valour’s Moses Dyer and Akio rattled the crossbar twice on a second phase corner… Only for their defensive teammate Rocco Romeo to concede a penalty in the following phase. The Toronto FC II loanee came over the shoulder of a streaking Sergio Camargo which sent Joe Mason to the spot but he failed to convert – his second miss in a row at ATCO Field.

Then, moments later, his opposite centre forward number in Dyer strode through on goal on a lovely through-ball from Rafael Galhardo. The New Zealand international calmly converted for his seventh goal on the season. Camargo scored Cavalry’s opener just moments after that when he tapped home a neat chested redirection by Joe Di Chiara in the middle of the six-yard box.

This all occurred within 12 minutes of the opening 15, setting a tone neither team was able to maintain.

Cavalry grew into the match, taking more possession in controlling the pace of play. This led to a go-ahead goal in the 38th minute when Mason drifted back and got on the end on a perfectly-delivered cross from Nicolas Apostol, nodding home some retribution for the early penalty miss.

But just like the first goal, there was a response almost immediately when Valour sprung on a break in the 43rd minute eventually giving Akio a right-footed shot he slid into the net at the back post. Cavalry had their protests, though, as Joe Di Chiara claimed he was fouled in the play’s ensuing moments.

That marked a chaotic first half that wouldn’t be replicated in the second frame. Cavalry looked the better of the side as play seemed destined for a draw… Until Akio struck again in the 69th minute when, for the second time against the run of play, the Valour attacker pluck the ball off a defender and lashed a goal from the upper edges of the box.

Valour put the match to death in brilliant fashion in stoppage time when substitute Keven Aleman offered one of the sweetest left foot volleys you’ll see in the CPL on the last kick of the game.

The result means Valour dramatically jumps into the final CPL playoff spot, overtaking an HFX Wanderers side who lost 4-1 to Forge FC earlier in the day, with one more match remaining – away to FC Edmonton on Saturday. York United’s 2-1 win over Pacific FC saw the Nine Stripes overtake Valour, though, two points ahead.

Goals

9′ — Moses Dyer (Valour FC)
14′ — Sergio Camargo (Cavalry FC)
38′ — Joe Mason (Cavalry FC)
43′ — William Akio (Valour FC)
69′ — William Akio (Valour FC)
90+4′ — Keven Aleman (Valour FC)

Discipline

8′ — Yellow: Rocco Romeo (Valour FC)
39′ — Yellow: Jose Galan (Valour FC)
60′ — Yellow: Victor Loturi (Cavalry FC)
63′ — Yellow: Sergio Camargo (Cavalry FC)
90′ — Yellow: Victor Loturi (Cavalry FC)