Cavalry FC beat LigaMX side Pumas UNAM 2-1 in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup first round series on Vancouver Island Thursday.
The result marks the first time a Canadian Premier League team has beaten a first-tier Mexican club. It’s a major milestone for a league that is entering only its seventh season this year.
And the result is all the more impressive considering it was Cavalry FC’s first competitive match of the year and they were forced to play the home leg of the series in Victoria, British Columbia, over 700 km away from their home stadium, due to winter conditions in Calgary.
“I couldn’t be prouder,” said Cavalry FC head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. after the match on broadcaster OneSoccer. “It was a mature performance. We were very good in our defensive foot print. But we also had moments when we were able to go at them. They executed the game plan very well.”
Cavalry FC come from behind to win
Pumas took the lead just before half time when Canadian U20 international, and recent senior national team call-up, Santiago López capitalized on a Marco Carducci error – the Cavalry FC keeper spilling a rebound into the path of the onrushing forward, who finished clinically.
But Cavalry FC kept believing they could get something from the night, and were rewarded 12 minutes into the second half. Calgary-born Charlie Trafford levelled the score, latching onto an Ali Musse corner kick.
And Calgary’s club wasn’t finished.
Ten minutes from time Cavs striker Toby Warschewski scored a brilliant winner. The German forward controlled a Jay Herdman headed pass with a delightful first touch before pivoting and slotting the ball past Pumas keeper Álex Padilla in one smooth motion. It was a goal worthy of the historic occasion.
- Photo gallery: Forge FC lose Concacaf Champions Cup first leg to C.F. Monterrey
- Photo gallery: Cavalry FC beat Pumas UNAM in first leg of Concacaf Champions Cup series
“Tobi’s a special player,” said Wheeldon Jr. “That’s high level, you know. If that’s an MLS or Liga MX player doing that, people are going to be raving about him.”
But the 2024 CPL golden boot winner was quick to share the credit for Cavalry FC’s impressive performance and win.
“I think the whole team did it,” said Tobias Warschewski, speaking on OneSoccer after the game. “I’m happy for the guys. I think we deserved the win.”
The two clubs will meet again in Mexico City next Thursday to contest the second leg of the Champions Cup first round tie.
