Cavalry FC ready for Canadian Championship matchup against Vancouver Whitecaps
Cavalry FC will take to the pitch Tuesday night at Atco Field as the underdog in their quarter-final matchup with the Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer.
Centre-back Callum Montgomery knows the Whitecaps well -- he spent four seasons in MLS with Dallas and Minnesota.
Montgomery knows Tuesday night's matchup won't be easy.
"It's the small things, you know? The speed of play," Montgomery said.
"They can change the tempo and they're ruthless in the box."
Played well against Whitecaps
Cavalry FC has had some success against the Whitecaps in the past.
In three games against them, they have a win, a draw and a loss on penalty kicks.
Midfielder Charlie Trafford says it's easy to get up for games like this and you play with a bit of a chip on your shoulder.
"For sure, there's a few boys that dabbled in the MLS system and at clubs and stuff, so there's a little bit of that," he said.
"We're trying to prove ourselves and everyone wants to keep rising to the next level. It's just an exciting one to go out and get a chance to prove yourself and again, we love to compete. We love this opportunity, so yeah, just a little chip on the shoulder and a chance to show that."
Rising to the occasion
The Whitecaps come into this match with a 5-3-2 record in Major League Soccer.
After a slow start to the season, Cavalry is on a bit of a roll of late in the Canadian Premier League.
They're 1-2-1 but Montgomery thinks they have a chance against the Whitecaps because they're able to rise to the challenge against better opponents.
"I think we come in with a healthy respect but we don't fear them," he said.
"We're also a team that works very hard and against opposition that on paper is better than you, you need to outwork them and I think that's something we've got. We've got a lot of grit and we know how to defend our box very well."
Ultimate goal
The matchup against the Whitecaps is a quarter-final and leg one of two.
The second game will be played in Vancouver on May 21.
Left-back Bradley Kamden says beating the Whitecaps would be great but it would just be another step in where they want to get to in the Canadian Championship.
"It means you advance to the semi-final and one step closer to the objective of winning," he said.
"We want to win every competition that we're in, so we're going to have to go through the Whitecaps if we want to get to that goal. So that's what it will mean for us (if we win)."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Debunking the 'anti-sunscreen' movement: Doctors say TikTok trend is dangerous
Dermatologists are sounding the alarm about misinformation from the anti-sunscreen movement, saying not wearing sunscreen can cause cancer and other problems.
Poilievre Conservatives offer to help Trudeau Liberals pass foreign interference bill
Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Party is offering to help Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government pass a piece of legislation aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada.
DEVELOPING Key witness lied on stand, Trump lawyer tells jurors during closing arguments in hush money trial
Donald Trump's landmark hush money trial turns on the testimony of a prosecution witness who told lies on the stand and cannot be trusted, a defence lawyer said Tuesday during closing arguments.
Ont. university says professor fired over 'unethical' sexual relationships with students
An associate professor at McMaster University has been fired after its board of governors found that he engaged in 'unethical, inappropriate and in some instances exploitative' sexual relationships with students.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.
Quebec homeowner recalls moment tornado hit his farmhouse west of Montreal
A homeowner in western Quebec is recounting a narrow escape after his home was hit by a tornado Monday afternoon.
Canada's professional women’s soccer league name unveiled
Canada is set to embrace a new chapter in women’s soccer with the official unveiling of the new name of the professional league.
WATCH Airline pilot treated to stunning northern lights show during U.S.-Portugal flight
An airline pilot got quite a show on May 11 while flying from San Francisco to Lisbon when a solar storm caused stunning auroras.
Here's how new AI tech could change the iPhone
Generative AI, artificial intelligence that can provide thoughtful and thorough responses to questions and prompts, could potentially breathe new life into Apple’s iPhone lineup at a time when competitors are threatening to leave the company behind in the race to shape what could be a world-changing technology.