Canadian Premier League — Match #56 Cavalry FC vs. FC Edmonton August 16, 2019 — Spruce Meadows (9 p.m. ET/7 p.m. MT) Watch Live: OneSoccer.ca

Fresh off an emotional CanChamp clash with on Wednesday with the Montreal Impact, Cavalry FC will get no break as the focus shifts immediately back to the CPL’s Fall competition, and Friday’s Al Classico tilt with FC Edmonton. This showdown between the two Alberta sides is one with major standings implications, with Cavalry and FC Edmonton tied at the top of the table with 11 points apiece (although the Cavs have a game in hand). The Eddies will be, by far, the more rested side in this match, with five days off between games compared to Cavalry’s one. Their last outing was a 3-1 home triumph last Saturday over Pacific FC, which saw Easton Ongaro provide a brace to seal all three points. Cavalry, of course, played the Montreal Impact at home on Wednesday, losing 1-0 as their incredible Canadian Championship run came to an end. The Cavs' most recent CPL game was a cagey 0-0 draw last weekend against HFX Wanderers FC, in which the Spring champions were held off the scoresheet for the first time for the first time in seven weeks. With two previous Al Classicos in the books, Cavalry has the upper hand, with a 1-0 win at home and a 3-0 victory at FCE’s Clarke Field. The Eddies have never scored against their provincial rivals in CPL play, then, which they’d certainly like to change this week. Next up for Cavalry is yet another home game, as they welcome York9 FC to Spruce Meadows on Wednesday, August 21 (9:00 p.m. ET, 7:00 p.m. MT, on OneSoccer). FC Edmonton’s next contest will be before then, with a rare Monday fixture on August 19 as they head to Winnipeg to play Valour FC (8:00 p.m. ET, 7 :00 p.m. CT, on OneSoccer).
KEYS TO THE MATCH

  • Tired legs: Cavalry would be forgiven for looking a little sluggish out of the gate on Friday, with such a high-energy game coming so soon before. Tommy Wheeldon Jr. doesn't have too many options for squad rotation, with a number of injuries to reckon with, but look for him to try and inject some fresher players like Malyk Hamilton, Oliver Minatel, or 16-year-old Aribim Pepple into this match.
  • Set-pieces: Both these sides have become known for their threat off set-pieces — Cavalry with Nico Pasquotti's long throws and their finessed corner kicks, and FCE with their towering physical players who can win battles in the air on crosses into the box. As this rivalry continues to grow, this game could become heated, which might lend itself to plenty of dead-ball opportunities for both teams.
  • Stay patient: No road team has ever been able to score more than once at Spruce Meadows. FC Edmonton certainly could be the side to do it, especially with Easton Ongaro heating up with a brace last weekend, but they can't exactly bank on a goalfest. So, it's crucial that the Eddies keep their shape at the back, not allowing themselves to be drawn out of position. If they can wait for the right opportunity to strike, and ensure things are tight defensively, they can get a result, but they can't afford to be stretched out.

PROJECTED LINEUPS

FC Edmonton: Connor James; Allan Zebie, Mele Temguia, Amer Didic, Jeannot Esua; Kareem Moses, Ramon Soria; Bruno Zebie, Easton Ongaro, Marcus Velado-Tsegaye; Tomi Ameobi
Cavalry FC: Marco Carducci; Nathan Mavila, Dominick Zator, Mason Trafford, Malyk Hamilton; Nik Ledgerwood, Mauro Eustaquio, Carlos Patino, Nico Pasquotti; Sergio Camargo, Aribim Pepple


HEAD TO HEAD

May 18 - Cavalry FC 1-0 FC Edmonton June 15 - FC Edmonton 0-3 Cavalry FC

STATS LEADERS

Oumar Diouck - 5 goals (FC Edmonton) Sergio Camargo - 5 goals (Cavalry FC)

INJURIES

Son Yong-Chan (FC Edmonton) - Questionable James Marcelin (FC Edmonton) - Questionable Chris Serban (Cavalry FC) - Out (Knee) Dean Northover (Cavalry FC) - Out (ACL) Jordan Brown (Cavalry FC) - Doubtful Joel Waterman (Cavalry FC) - Doubtful

INTERNATIONAL DUTY

None

SUSPENSIONS

None

ACCUMULATION

(Players are suspended for one match 14 days after accumulating a 4th Yellow Card)

Jonathan Wheeldon (Cavalry FC) - 4 Elijah Adekugbe (Cavalry FC) - 3 Joel Waterman (Cavalry FC) - 3

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