Cavalry FC are back home just in time to try to seize an opportunity to win the Canadian Premier League’s (CPL) North Star Shield as regular season champs. The club has been a juggernaut at ATCO Field, going unbeaten and with the season winding down, they play their final two games of the there, much to the delight of head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. “Glad to be back on this pitch, it’s the best in the league,” Wheeldon said. “Our results here have been fantastic and even at the start of the season when we saw the schedule come out, we knew there would be an opportunity to win a trophy at home in front of our fans.” After beating Quebec on Sept. 25, it appeared Cavalry were a lock to win the Shield, but since then, the club has had two losses and a draw, while the club’s arch rival Forge FC racked up two draws and two wins. So heading into the final two games of the regular season, the two clubs have identical records and 54 points apiece. “We knew that even a couple of games before that everything was in our own hands,” said forward Daan Klomp. “However, we ruined the lead that we had and now we’re tied at the top of the table. “We have a better goal difference (of six goals),” Klomp added. “And the next two games are going to determine who’s going to lift the shield and it’s going to determine who’s going to lift the shield and it’s going to be us.” Cavalry captain Sergio Camargo hasn’t been able to train with the club due to an injury. Even though he’s not on the field, he says he can still help lead the team. “It’s tough,” said Camargo, “but I’m trying to find ways to influence the team in other ways. “A lot of conversations are had in the locker room and in the gym,” he added. “I’m trying to give all the experience that I have from these last couple of years and especially the finals two years ago at home, and three years ago trying to clinch the league to all these young boys and (the other) boys that haven’t been here (before)!” The good news for Cavalry is their fate is in their own hands: if they win their next two games, against Pacific FC Saturday and Vancouver next Sunday, and they will win the Shield, which, among other things, the club the number one seeding for the 2026 CPL playoffs and also guarantees them a spot in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup The club hasn’t lost at ATCO Field since July 26, 2025 -- a total of 20 matches. Forge FC meanwhile take on Atletico Ottawa FC Saturday and close out their regular season Oct. 25 against Pacific FC, but in between, on Oct. 21, they have an extra match: the 2026 TELUS Canadian Championship against CF Montreal. Wheeldon Jr. remains positive about Cavalry’s chances. “I always say you’ve got to go through a little pain if you want to taste the champagne,” he said. “I think I’d sooner that now on the road than at home. “Now we have an opportunity at home to do what we do best,” he added, “and if we do that, we have more home games as a result of it.” Game time Saturday at ATCO Field is 2 p.m. MT.
