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CPL Playoff Recap: Cavalry, Ottawa To Meet Again In CPL Final
By The drama of this season’s Canadian Premier League semifinals will be remembered for many years to come.
For the second straight season, the same two teams will face off in the final to determine the playoff winner. The way the pair got there, however, was quite contrasting.
Here is a look back at both semis:
Fleuriau Chateau the Hero for Ottawa In Chaotic End
Atletico Ottawa earned their spot in 21 November’s final with a thrilling 3-2 win over Forge FC to prevail 5-4 on aggregate over the two legs.
For Forge, they chose to make two changes from the first leg, which ended 2-2. Both adjustments came in their attack, as Aghilas Sadek and Hoce Massunda were brought in for Ben Paton and Ismael Oketokoun. Meanwhile, Ottawa maintained the same starting 11 as their home leg.
The Hammers were on the front foot early on, and nearly took the lead 10 minutes in. Antoine Batisse’s shot from distance flew just wide of the goal.
Ottawa had just one shot in the opening half, and that turned out to be their goal. Ballou Tabla and Kamren Habibullah combined before the ball was played out to Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau. The striker, who also scored the week prior, found the back of the net once more with a low shot that beat Dmitry Bertaud.
Batisse almost levelled the score in first half stoppage time, but could not turn his effort in from close range. Forge would level though, as Marko Jevremovic’s corner was flicked on by Sadek. Massunda got the final touch as he directed it home to the joy of the home fans.
Fleuriau Chateau was a big part of Ottawa’s attack in the decider, and almost gave his side the lead again right after the break. In on goal, the striker’s attempt curved wide of the far post.
Ottleti thought they had their second midway through the half, when Fleuriau Chateau’s shot from a corner was cleared off the line by Sadek. The referees reviewed the play, and were satisfied that the ball did not cross the line.
With seven minutes left in normal time, the defending playoff winners retook the lead. Fleuriau Chateau got his head on Rony Mbomio’s cross to direct it over Bertaud and score his second of the contest.
The true chaos started in the ninth minute of stoppage time. Forge was awarded a penalty after Maxime Filion was kicked in the box by Fleuriau Chateau. While not initially given on the pitch, the hosts challenged the play, ultimately having the call go their way. Up stepped Dan Nimick, who slotted it just beyond Christopher Kalongo to tie the game once more.
That would not be the end of the scoring though, as just two minutes later, Ottawa stole it at the death. A cross into the box was not properly cleared, with the ball falling to Fleuriau Chateau. The 24-year-old took a touch to control before finding the bottom corner to spark wild celebrations among the away fans.
Ottleti held on for the final moments to advance to the final, beating Forge at Hamilton Stadium in the playoffs for the second consecutive year. For the Hamiltonians, they are out at this stage just as they were in 2025.
Cavalry Overturns First Leg Deficit to Edge Out Supra
The other semifinal, which started about an hour after the first, saw Cavalry return to the final after beating Supra du Quebec 2-0 at home. The Cavs moved on to the final with a 3-2 aggregate score.
Tommy Wheeldon Jr opted for two changes in his Cavalry team, as club captain Sergio Camargo returned to the 11 alongside Harry Paton. It was the former’s first match since mid-September as he recovered from injury.
Supra’s starting lineup saw no changes, as Kyt Seraidopoulos remained confident in the same 11 players that began the first leg, which they won 2-1.
Knowing they needed to win the match to stand any chance at returning to the final, Cavalry came out the more adventurous team. They were rewarded in the 25th minute. Tobias Warschewski’s initial shot was blocked, but it fell to Caniggia Elva, who volleyed it past Joakhim Milli to give his side the lead on the night.
Ali Musse almost put the hosts up on aggregate as he leapt the highest from a long throw. Unfortunately for the winger, it was straight at Milli.
Shortly after the restart, Cavalry was awarded a penalty after Owen Graham-Roache was brought down by Milli in the box. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, with Supra’s subsequent challenge being unsuccessful. The visitors’ keeper redeemed himself as he got down to his right and stopped Musse from scoring the spot kick.
Just before the hour, Musse made amends from his penalty failure. Despite stumbling on the ball, he found a way to get past two Supra players before firing it past Milli and in.
While the away side did end up with more shots in the game, they rarely threatened Nathan Ingham. Aboubacar Sissoko had a glorious chance moments after the Cavs’ second goal. However, his header was straight at Ingham.
Alessandro Biello also came close towards the end of normal time. The midfielder went for goal from a long way out, but he could not hit the target.
Supra could not find the back of the net, but ultimately ended the game with 10 men. Biello went to retrieve the ball to take a quick throw-in, pushing the ball boy as he wanted to start play without haste. A scuffle ensued, with Cavalry challenging for a red card for violent conduct. The referee reviewed and opted to send Biello off.
Supra’s maiden CPL season came to an end with the loss, where they lose another semifinal after their narrow Canadian Championship reverse.
The Cavs will stay home for the final and will look for revenge against Atletico Ottawa, who beat them a year ago. With the result, it was also confirmed that the capital club will return to the CONCACAF Champions Cup, regardless of the result of the final. That means they, along with Cavalry and Forge, will represent the CPL in the region’s continental club competition.
