Cavalry FC punched their ticket to the 2025 Canadian Premier League (CPL) Playoffs with a commanding 3-0 win over Valour FC Saturday at ATCO Field, a result that also solidified their grip on third place in the table.
The Cavs struck early and never looked back, riding goals from Eryk Kobza, Goteh Ntignee, and substitute Caniggia Elva to secure all three points and extend their late-season surge.
The victory ensures that Tommy Wheeldon Jr.’s side will be part of the postseason picture once again, with their final seeding to be determined on the last weekend of the regular season.
“We’re not done yet,” Wheeldon Jr. said after the match. “The first step was getting in. Now the next step is trying to finish as high as we can. We can’t control the results above and below us, so the lads just have to earn what’s in front of them, and they’re hitting a nice run of form right now.”
Valour denied early, Cavalry punish quickly
Valour nearly flipped the script inside the opening minute when Kianz Froese intercepted Levi Laing and went clear on goal, only to be denied by a crucial save from Cavalry captain Marco Carducci.
That moment proved a turning point because within the next two minutes, the home side were in front. Ali Musse’s corner found Kobza unmarked, and the midfielder made no mistake with a thumping header for his second goal in as many matches.
Cavalry then controlled much of the first half, with Musse, Goteh Ntignee, and Tobias Warschewski all testing Emil Gazdov in the Valour goal, while Sergio Camargo’s creativity repeatedly unpicked the visiting backline.
Valour’s best response came through Jordan Faria and Froese, but Carducci and a resilient Cavalry defence held firm.
Ntignee, Elva shine as Cavalry close the door
The second goal came just after the restart, capitalizing on a sloppy Valour throw.
Michael Baldisimo and Camargo combined to set up Ntignee, who cut inside and rifled a left-footed strike past Gazdov from the edge of the area. It was a reminder of why Ntignee remains one of the CPL’s most dangerous one-on-one attackers.
Valour pushed forward in search of a response, with substitute Kris Twardek injecting energy on the right and Themi Antonoglou spurning a golden volleyed chance. But every time they threatened, Carducci stood tall and showed why he remains the heartbeat of the side.
The visitors pressed forward, but their hopes were extinguished in the 88th minute.
Carducci launched a ball forward that Elva controlled brilliantly before weaving through defenders and finishing with the outside of his boot. It was a flourish worthy of sealing Cavalry’s playoff berth, and another reminder of the depth at Wheeldon Jr.’s disposal.
Valour head coach Phil Dos Santos lamented missed opportunities afterward. “I don’t think we played a bad game. The guys fought, we created, we had our chances… but the team needed to have scored. We didn’t. So that’s the difference today,” he said.
The win keeps Cavalry four points clear of Halifax Wanderers in fourth, while Valour’s playoff fate now depends on results elsewhere, with York United’s clash against Vancouver FC looming large.
Cavalry, meanwhile, turn their attention to a September 27 trip to TD Place to face Atletico Ottawa, with playoff seeding still very much in play.
