A moment of class from Tobias Warschewski salvaged a crucial goal for Cavalry FC, as the Calgary side battled to a 1-1 draw with Vancouver FC in the first leg of their 2025 Canadian Championship quarter-final tie at Willoughby Community Park in Langley, B.C., Wednesday.
David Norman Jr. had given Vancouver the lead just before halftime, but Cavalry’s persistent second-half pressure finally paid off in the 84th minute when Warschewski calmly slotted home the equalizer, giving the Cavs a valuable result to take back to ATCO Field.
“It was an enjoyable cup tie,” said Cavalry head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr.
“Although we started well, they came back into it. They were defensively quite solid, and tried to hit on the counter. They’re very good on set plays. They deserved to get a result.”
Vancouver strike first to peg Cavalry back
The Eagles entered the match riding high after their historic win over Pacific FC in the preliminary round, and with the home crowd behind them, they showed early intent.
Cavalry had some early chances too, including a sixth-minute effort from Shamit Shome that forced Vancouver goalkeeper Callum Irving into a key save after good work by Ali Musse.
Cavalry skipper Marco Carducci was equally crucial at the other end, punching away a dangerous Vancouver free kick in the 40th minute to keep his side in the match.
However, the Eagles got the crucial breakthrough in the 42nd minute when Norman Jr., playing as a wingback, pounced on a scrambled ball in the box following a corner kick.
His reaction finish gave Vancouver the lead — and earned him a memorable celebration, mimicking a golf swing as he soaked in the moment.
Despite trailing, Cavalry looked the sharper side in possession, controlling 61.2% of the ball over the 90 minutes. But Vancouver were more aggressive in attack, outshooting the visitors 12-9 and producing moments that could have extended their lead.
“I think we had enough chances to score two or three goals,” said Vancouver head coach Afshin Ghotbi post-match. “You can’t rely on one goal against a team with that much offensive power.”
Gritty Cavalry FC grind it out to get a result
Wheeldon Jr. made tactical changes in the second half, bringing on fresh legs like Jesse Daley and Fraser Aird, and pushing Nicolas Wahling higher up the right flank.
The shift nearly paid off when Wahling’s powerful strike was denied by a diving Irving in the 64th minute, but Cavalry continued to knock on the door.
“The best ability is versatility and availability, and Nicholas Wahling is certainly both,” said Wheeldon Jr. “He is an intelligent lad who will run through a brick wall for you.”
The elusive equalizer for the Cavs finally came in the 84th minute, and it was worth the wait.
Wahling, who had been a livewire since moving into midfield, picked out Warschewski inside the box. The German striker showed remarkable composure, shifting the ball from his right foot to his left before firing past Irving with clinical precision.
“Apparently, I’m not allowed to bring him [Warschewski] off,” Wheeldon Jr. joked. “He’s always got a goal in him. Special players can be stopped nine times, but on that tenth chance, they deliver.”
Still all to play for in the second leg
Despite Cavalry’s control, Vancouver will feel they left something on the table. Ghotbi expressed pride in his team’s effort but lamented their decision to sit back late in the match.
“There was a period in the last maybe 20 minutes where we dropped too low,” said Ghotbi. “They [Vancouver players] thought by sitting back, they could squeeze a victory. I don’t think that’s the way to play this kind of match.”
The draw keeps the tie wide open ahead of the decisive second leg in Calgary on July 8.
The winner will advance to face either Valour FC or MLS’s Vancouver Whitecaps in the semifinals. That tie also sits level after a 2-2 draw in Winnipeg.
