Cavalry Heads To California For Preseason Camp

Reigning Canadian Premier League champions Cavalry FC are currently in California as the squad prepares for its Concacaf Champions Cup clashes against Liga MX side Pumas UNAM.

Tommy Wheeldon Jr’s side has trained in Calgary for a week before flying out to California, where the next ten days will see the squad face up against LAFC, Columbus Crew (featuring the familiar face of Mohamed Farsi) and San Diego State University.

“If we are to punch above our weight like we’ve been known to do, we’ve got to be sharp,” said Tommy Wheeldon Jr. at a supporters’ meeting this month, stating that iron is sharpened by iron.

The squad reported in with a good state of fitness, which Wheeldon Jr. attributes to their relatively short offseason after hoisted the North Star Cup in November.

Cavalry’s stint stateside will come to a close on January 29, with the squad returning to Calgary for a few days before heading to out west Victoria, where Starlight Stadium will set the stage for their home leg against Pumas on February 6.

Like last season, the lack of undersoil heating at ATCO Field will preclude the side from hosting the match in Calgary, with closer alternatives like Commonwealth Stadium having been unavailable.

After the first leg, Cavalry will spend a few days at home before travelling to Mexico City for the second leg in the hopes of securing a result against a Liga MX powerhouse.

The two continental matches will mark the first time Cavalry has faced a Liga MX side in competition, with last year’s foray into Champions Cup action seeing the side bow out against Major League Soccer’s Orlando City.

Head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr, who also operates as the club’s general manager, has done well to keep the core squad together, though star defender Daan Klomp has left the club in pursuit of a move to A-League side Adelaide United, whilst Malcolm Shaw has left to pursue other options.

Cavalry will return home from the second leg February 14. The schedule for the 2025 Canadian Premier League season set to come roughly a month afterwards remains to be seen, as does the detailed scheduled for this year’s Canadian Championship.

Header Image Photo Credit: John Jacques