For the ninth time in 2024, a club record for a single season, Cavalry FC played to a draw on Sunday, this time 1-1 with rivals Forge FC.
Daan Klomp opened the scoring, before Forge equalized through a Tom Field own goal. The chaotic rivalry match also saw a Tobias Warschewski penalty stopped by Chris Kalongo, and Forge’s Daniel Parra sent off late in the match.
Forge looked dangerous through the early portions of the match, nearly opening the scoring in the fifth minute as the league’s hottest striker, Kwasi Poku, sent a header just over the bar.
In his first Canadian Premier League start, Nana Ampomah then had a pair of chances, forcing saves from Carducci on both occasions. He came especially close on the second chance, as a quick one-two with Noah Jensen afforded him a volley from close range that he ultimately scuffed.
It was Cavalry who had a good opportunity next, as Shamit Shome had a great chance to open the scoring from a Fraser Aird cutback in the 29th minute, but could not get his shot on frame.
In the 34th minute, a player that has been a constant thorn in Cavalry’s side over the years, Kyle Bekker, was denied only by the woodwork on a curling strike from distance after more good work in the attacking third from Forge. The visitors looked as though they had a penalty shout moments later, as the ball struck Cavalry’s Daan Klomp’s hand in the box, but it went uncalled.
Forge finished the first half with a stunning 11 shot attempts on the road in Calgary, but the match remained 0-0 at the half.
Looking for a spark from his side, Cavalry manager Tommy Wheeldon Jr. made a pair of substitutions at the half, bringing on Sergio Camargo and Diego Gutiérrez.
Camargo made a positive impact incredibly quickly, as he was levelled in the box by Daniel Parra and won a penalty less than a minute into the second half.
Warschewski stepped up to the spot, but his penalty was denied brilliantly by Forge’s Kalongo who not only dove across to make the save but also held onto the ball as well.
Cavalry, however, kept pressing and less than ten minutes later they had their opener. This time Camargo picked out Daan Klomp in the box with a perfect cross that the reigning CPL Player of the Year flicked into the net for his first of the season to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
The hosts held the lead for just over a minute. Forge then went the other way, and won a corner kick. In the 58th minute, Kyle Bekker played that ball to the near post, and Cavalry’s Tom Field flicked it over his own goalkeeper to tie the match at 1-1.
Forge hit the post for the second time in the match in the 65th minute, this time through Poku on a low effort across goal. Noah Jensen had a great chance on the rebound, but Klomp blocked his shot brilliantly.
It was Cavalry, however, who pressed for a winner in the late goal as they had a number of decent chances, including when Warschewski put the ball over the net from close range in the 67th minute.
They were given a further opportunity to take control in the 82nd minute, as Parra was given a second yellow card and sent off as a result.
Minutes later, substitute Maël Henry nearly scored a wonder goal from distance, but struck the crossbar and the woodwork continued to play a big role in the match. But Forge were able to hold on for a point.
As a result of the draw, Cavalry are just one point below the Canadian Premier League playoff line as the weekend concludes. Forge, meanwhile, remain in third place with both sides continuing their struggles to find consistency this season.
BOX SCORE
Lineups
Cavalry FC: Carducci; Aird, Montgomery (Gutiérrez 46′), Klomp, Field; Trafford, Daley (Camargo 46′), Shome (Chanda 86′); Wähling, Warschewski, Shaw (Henry 69′)
Forge FC: Kalongo; Duncan, Achinioti-Jönsson, Metusala, Parra; Hojabrpour (Samuel 79′), Bekker, Jensen (Cissé 90′); Koné (Hamilton 75′), Ampomah (Schiavoni 90′), Poku
Goals
57′ — Daan Klomp (Cavalry FC)
58′ — Tom Field (Cavalry FC) — Own goal
Discipline
23′ — Yellow: Daan Klomp (Cavalry FC)
24′ — Yellow: Daniel Parra (Forge FC)
82′ — Yellow+Red: Daniel Parra (Forge FC)