The Story
Cavalry FC — 1st Place, 60 points
Record (W-D-L): 18-4-6
Goals For/Against: 58/23
Top Scorer: Tobias Warschewski (11)
Assists Leader: Tobias Warschewski (10)
After losing the 2025 CPL Final in the snow in Ottawa, Cavalry FC underwent big changes. They said goodbye to multiple core players, including club captain and legend Marco Carducci and strengthened at every position, with goalkeeper Nathan Ingham, defenders Amer Didić and Adam Pearlman, midfielder Harry Paton and attacker Nathaniel Edwards all becoming key parts of their revamped squad.
Safe to say, during the regular season, it worked. A stunning 18-point improvement pushed them to the top of the table as they lifted the CPL Shield on the final day of the season. The 60 points they collected this year were the second most in CPL history, behind only the mark of 63 they set in 2019.
They've already lifted one trophy this season and set several CPL records in the process. Now, Cavalry try to do the unprecedented and become the first team in CPL history to do the double.
The Stats
58 goals scored
No club has ever scored more goals in a CPL season than Cavalry FC did this year, with 58. Tobias Warscheski led the way with 11 goals, but seven players in total contributed four or more goals.
36 home points
Cavalry FC set a CPL record for the most points at home in a season. They have not lost at ATCO Field in over a year, and went 11-3-0 there during the regular season. If they reach the final, it will be played in Calgary, a massive advantage.
23.51 expected goals against
While Forge conceded the fewest goals in the league this season, with 22, Cavalry allowed the fewest chances. In fact, the 23.51 expected goals against they conceded this year is the fewest any team has ever managed in a full CPL season, suggesting that this team has a historically good backline.
The Stars
Tobias Warschewski, Forward
A move to a new position this season as an attacking midfielder unlocked the best of the German attacker. He scored 11 goals, tied for second most in the league this season, and set a CPL record for most assists in a season with 10. For as good as he is in the regular season, the playoffs are when Warschewski has done his best work. The 2024 CPL Final MVP has five goals in five CPL career CPL playoff games.
Daan Klomp, Defender
Klomp was the centrepiece of one of the best backlines in CPL history. He was brilliant at both ends of the pitch, scoring six goals this season from central defender and remains a huge threat on set pieces and is one of the best defenders in the league.
Nate Ingham, Goalkeeper
Ingham defeated Cavalry in last year's CPL Final while captaining Atlético Ottawa. Now, he will look to make it up to them by lifting the North Star Cup again, this time at ATCO Field. He led the league in clean sheets this season, with 11.
The Soundbites
“For me, there’s a switch when it comes to playoffs. That’s a one-off game. You stand on a hill, and you can fall off the hill. I like the pressure. I deal good with pressure in ways, and when it comes to playoffs I’m just happy to have this pressure because I feel like it gets the best out of me. I love playoffs.” – Cavalry FC attacker Tobias Warschewski
"If you look at the metrics, we run more than any other team. Our transition defence is better than anyone. That’s an effort thing. You have these guys that are scoring a record amount of goals that are still busting their ass back on any of these opportunities." - Cavalry FC goalkeeper Nathan Ingham
“We’ve been done by Olimpicos and Icicle Kicks. But we’ve also drank the champagne as well. We’ve tasted victory, we’ve tasted defeat. Nothing scares us in that.” – Cavalry FC head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr.
How They Win
Simply put, this is one of the best CPL teams ever assembled, something they proved over 28 matches during the regular season.
If Cavalry can take the lead, they probably aren't looking back. They've lost just two matches in which they led over the past three seasons. They haven't lost a match at ATCO Field in which they led since 2022, and it's only happened twice in the club's history.
Their playoff opening match against FC Supra du Québec at Stade Boréale will be the only game they play on the road during the playoffs. Considering they haven't lost at home in over a year, they will absolutely fancy their chances if they can get the CPL Final back to Spruce Meadows.
