2021 CPL regular season — Match #56 Cavalry FC vs. FC Edmonton August 29, 2021 at 2:00 pm MT ATCO Field at Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Alberta Watch Live: OneSoccer.ca // Tickets available here

Cavalry FC can go top of the table Sunday afternoon with a win when they host FC Edmonton for the latest chapter of 'Al Classico' at ATCO Field. For the visiting Eddies, the motivation to beat a provincial rival for the first time should only be heightened by the increasing urgency to start picking up points as they approach the halfway mark of the regular season on a four-match streak without a win. The Cavs return home a rested bunch after defeating first place Pacific FC 2-1 at Starlight Stadium last Friday night. Joe Mason provided a brace away from home to bring his league tally to three, good for first on the team, and despite a late scare through a Terran Campbell strike, the visitors were able to leave Langford with all three points. Another win on Sunday would see them leapfrog the Tridents in the table while they also hold a game in hand over Pa Modou-Kah's side. Edmonton comes into the weekend in rocky form as they've taken two points from their last four league outings. The challenge for FCE is that they'll continue to see plenty of the top two teams in the standings down the stretch (Pacific and Cavalry) while hoping to string together a run of positive results. It's been momentary lapses in concentration that have killed Edmonton against the strong sides in the league according to head coach Alan Koch, but in a team with strong defensive structure and a dangerous tandem heading their attack, the Eddies remain a difficult group to play against. A result away from home could kickstart a turnaround for a team still finding its feet under a new manager. These two last faced back on August 3 at Spruce Meadows where FC Edmonton jumped out to a 1-0 lead through Easton Ongaro inside twenty minutes before the hosts clawed back with two second half goals from Daan Klomp and Joe Mason to secure the 2-1 win. For Koch and Edmonton, they'll hope they can negate any comeback bids if they can once again take an early lead on the road on Sunday. Make your match picks prior to kickoff at canpl.ca/predictor for a chance to win prizes, including the grand prize of a trip to the 2021 CPL Final!
3 THINGS TO WATCH:

  • Eddies begin 'suicide stretch' of matches: While plenty of emphasis will be placed on Sunday's contest against the Cavs, Edmonton will have to consider the congestion of their upcoming fixture list before emptying the tank at ATCO Field. "We're about to start a suicide schedule, that's what we're calling it," Koch told CanPL.ca on Saturday. "It's four games in nine days so we're going to need every single body... so we're definitely going to need to manage the player's physical and mental well-being during this course of games." The good news for Koch and Co. is fitness is not a major concern as they head into a pivotal portion of their season with a deep squad available for selection: "We have a decent group heading down (to Calgary) with us, we'll get a couple guys back for this game, we'll get a couple guys back for next game and we'll just keep on grinding."​
  • Cavs search for five straight with a point: Life after the bubble has been largely good to Tommy Wheeldon Jr. and Cavalry as they continue to rehab several key players from injuries while slowly easing some of their offseason additions into the squad. After losing 2-0 in convincing fashion to Pacific in their first action post 'The Kickoff' on July 30, the Cavs have now riddled off four straight games picking up at least a point. With an opportunity to (temporarily) go top of the table this weekend, the hosts will have little pity for their struggling provincial rivals as they look to make it five positive results in a row.​
  • Eddies first-ever 'Al Classico' win a turning point? When CPL teams have been backed into a corner so far in 2021, they've so often found a way to get a result when needed most. Away at ATCO Field against a Cavalry side they've never beaten before in league action sets the scene for an Eddies outfit winless in four to make a season changing statement were they to find a win. In a geographical rivalry continuing to evolve in its third season, Sunday's clash could have major implications moving forward for both clubs depending on the result.​

ALL-TIME SERIES

Cavalry FC wins: 6 || FC Edmonton wins: 0 || Draws: 1

Previous match:

August 3, 2021 — Cavalry 2-1 FC Edmonton

KEY QUOTES

Anytime a team from Calgary faces a team from Edmonton, there's a battle of Alberta... we've gotta take away their strengths and try and continue to expose their weaknesses." — Cavalry FC head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr.

"They are where we want to go, they're a team that's operating right at the top of the league... these are the challenges we want, we need to embrace as we assess our group and as we continue to grow." — FC Edmonton head coach Alan Koch

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