FORGE HEX HANGS OVER CAVALRY IN SEASON OPENER
Another much-ballyhooed trip to Hamilton ...
Another tough loss to take for Cavalry FC.
In a test of last year's two champions, this time on Saturday's Day 1 of the 2024 Canadian Premier League campaign, it was yet another frustrating finale against nemesis Forge FC.
Yet another kick in the groin, if you will.
“Just another game,” said Cavalry star Sergio Camargo, choosing not to let the low of the season-opening 2-1 loss get him too low. “First game of the season ... against Forge. Just another 90 minutes.
“That's all it was.”
For Camargo himself, it was game No. 100 in Cavalry colours which, on this day, were white with green trim and accents, as they debuted their very crisp blizzard camouflage kit.
But despite scoring the opening goal — a sweet chip-in off his head — Camargo watched host Forge unveil a fourth playoff champs banner before the opening kick and then rally after his effort to score twice in the final 20 minutes for the come-frombehind victory.
Again.
You'll recall the Hammers did just that last fall with a pair of worldly goals to keep the Cavs, who were the heralded regular season kingpins, from earning the elusive title in the CPL championship match.
It's happened like that, as well, in a few other marquee games, always epic battles between the league's top rivals over the years.
And just like most other matchups featuring Forge and Cavalry, the frustrating result wasn't due to a lack of effort by the Calgary club.
“I thought it was a good performance for us, especially on the road,” said Cavalry general manager/head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. “When you come here, you're not going to be given a lot. So we have to create that, and I think we had some moments, especially in the first half.
“You take away their two goals — we're gonna want them back — because I thought we were solid defensively and you have to be on a big pitch against a good team. You've got to be together as a unit. And I thought for the most part we were. That's why we're a bit disappointed with the result.
“And after (our goal), they kicked up another gear, and I think we could have done better to respond, because I think when I look at the number of bodies in our box, we're going to want those goals back.”
Camargo goal, which kick-started the scoring in the 60th minute of the contest, was a beauty.
Ali Musse sent a low corner kick in toward the near post, and Camargo met the ball with a nifty flick of his head as it alley-ooped up over Chris Kalongo — now Forge's first-line goaltender with Triston Henry having left the club for “personal matters” — and into the far side of the net.
“I wish I could say we drew that one up,” Camargo said. “But it just came to me, and I was told to get in front of that first post man, in case Mussi didn't get it over him. And it came to me, and I just glanced it over him, and by the time I looked back, I was going into the net. So it was a good one.
“I definitely took advantage of that moment to celebrate in front of the Forge fans. But at the end of the day, we didn't get the three points that we wanted.”
That's because only 10 minutes later, old foe Tristan Borges did what he does best in angering Cavalry with the draw-even goal. The feisty veteran found wiggle room in a cluttered box and sent a slow roller that somehow eluded both Eryk Kobza, going through his legs, and Marco Carducci, rolling under the arm of the searching goalie for the tying tally.
Six minutes after that, forward Béni Badibanga put the hosts up 2-1 on a shot inside the box that was redirected off the head of a Cavalry defender on its way into the net.
Once again, it was Borges making the play happen, finding a soft spot in an otherwise well-guarded zone and feeding a perfect pass back into the middle of the box to Badibanga for what would be the winning strike.
“These games are decided by big players, generally,” Wheeldon said. “If we look at the scores of all goals across all games that we've played. Sergio I consider a big player in this league. And Borges and Badibanga, they're two good players that took that chances, albeit there's a deflection (on the winning goal).
“But you earn your luck, so we've got to make sure we work hard and earn our luck in the future games.”
The next game for Cavalry comes on a trip to the nation's capital to play Atlético Ottawa (1-0) next Saturday (noon, Onesoccer, Onesoccer.ca).
And just like last year, when they opened the league schedule with five straight draws, including the season-opening 2-2 tie with host Forge, the Cavs will look to put the first decision behind them.
“It's not that we had a poor performance,” added Wheeldon. “We were good. But good is not acceptable to win a game here. If we want to be successful again, we have to raise that edge.
“But we'll build. It's a long season. Lots to build on. Lots to improve on.”