RECAP + HIGHLIGHTS: Cavalry FC vs. Vancouver FC (April 18, 2025)

A stoppage-time equalizer from Tobias Warschewski denied Vancouver FC what would have been a first-ever victory over Cavalry FC in a thrilling 1-1 draw on Friday at ATCO Field.

Nicolás Mezquida opened the scoring in the 19th minute for Vancouver FC with his first Canadian Premier League goal.

The match was the first time Cavalry had played a match at ATCO Field since lifting the North Star Cup after defeating Forge 2-1 in the 2024  Canadian Premier League Final.

Cavalry FC's starting eleven featured just two changes from the side that won the 2024 CPL Final. Tom Field drew into the centre of defence for the departed Daan Klomp, while 19-year-old Niko Myroniuk replaced the injured Diego Gutiérrez.

The visitors came out with a good energy and organization, making it difficult for Cavalry to play through their compact lines, and then going forward quickly in moments where they won the ball back.

In the 19th minute, the Eagles stunned the home crowd by finding the opener. Callum Montgomery was stripped of the ball by Alejandro Díaz, who poked the ball to Terran Campbell. The CPL's all-time leading goalscorer turned provider, as he calmly played the ball into the path of Mezquida, who opened his CPL account in just his second match to give Vancouver a 1-0 lead.

The Eagles pressed their advantage, and nearly doubled the lead in the 26th minute on a decisive counterattack, but Campbell's strike was blocked well by Cavalry's Myroniuk. Campbell had another great opportunity on the ensuing corner kick, but couldn't connect well enough with his strike and it was easily collected by Marco Carducci.

Carducci was forced to make a much more challenging save just six minutes later, as again Vancouver found their way into the Cavalry box. This time, Díaz struck an effort across goal, denied by the Cavalry keeper.

The ascendent Eagles held that 1-0 lead heading into the locker rooms at half-time, easily their best half of the season so far.

Needing a response, Cavalry made a pair of substitutions at the half, bringing on former Eagle Maël Henry, and new signing Michael Baldisimo into the match.

Henry quickly proved himself to be a threat down the left flank, getting in behind just five minutes into the half, but his shot from a wide angle was off target.

The field began to tilt heavily in Cavalry's favour, as the hosts looked to avoid just their third defeat at home in CPL regular season action since 2022. Vancouver, meanwhile, were content to sit back in their shape and make it difficult for Cavalry to play through them.

Henry had another strike at goal for Cavalry in the 76th minute, but his teasing shot from distance was caught comfortably by Callum Irving.

Five minutes later, Mezquida again tested Carducci from a free kick in a dangerous area, but his low strike was caught by the Cavalry keeper. The moment seemed to embolden the visitors, who stayed on the front foot and created a few more dangerous opportunities in the next few minutes. Díaz came close on a corner kick in the 84th minute, but his attempt was blocked by Warschewski.

Cavalry were given a boost late in the match when the fourth official held up eight minutes of stoppage time. Moments later, however, Vancouver had yet another outstanding chance as substitute Kevin Podgorni broke in behind. He tried to round Carducci but the Cavalry keeper got a hand to it and denied the chance.

In the fourth minute of stoppage time, however, Warschewski rescued a point for Cavalry. After Caniggia Elva took down a long ball, the German striker set himself and sent a low driven strike across goal that nestled into the bottom left corner of the net.

Cavalry FC remain undefeated in home openers with the draw. Both them and Vancouver continue to search for their first win of the 2025 regular season.

BOX SCORE

Lineups 

Cavalry FC: Carducci; Aird, Montgomery (Gherasimencov 62'), Field, Kamdem; Myroniuk (Baldisimo 46'), Shome (Wähling 79'); Musse, Camargo (Elva 62'), Herdman (Henry 46'); Warschewski 

Vancouver FC: Irving; Dada-Luke, Campagna, Enyou (Navarro 88'), Bah; Norman Jr., Fotsing; Campbell (Powell 78'), Mezquida, Godbout (Podgorni 61'); Díaz 

Goals

19′ — Nicolás Mezquida (Vancouver FC)
90+5' -- Tobias Warschewski (Cavalry FC) 

Discipline

21′ — Yellow: Matteo Campagna (Vancouver FC)
27' -- Yellow: David Norman Jr. (Vancouver FC)
38' -- Yellow: Shamit Shome (Cavalry FC)
50' -- Yellow: Maël Henry (Cavalry FC)
85' -- Yellow: Elage Bah (Vancouver FC)
90+7' -- Yellow: Alejandro Díaz (Vancouver FC)